The failure of ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to make it to a Senate hearing on his nomination to be Donald Trump's next attorney general has led to concerns the Vice President-elect J.D. Vance may not have the sway with his Senate colleagues as was previously believed.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Vance was assigned to shepherd the embattled Florida Republican around the halls of Congress to build up support for his nomination only to have Gaetz withdraw abruptly on Thursday.
Vance has been out of the limelight as Trump has relied on billionaire Elon Trump as his wingman in public, with the incoming vice president working behind the scenes to make sure some of the former president's more controversial picks make through the confirmation process.
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According to the Journal, despite Vance's best efforts, he couldn't get Gaetz across the finish line.
That, in turn, has led to some doubts about his effectiveness.
"Vance accompanied prospective nominees to hear firsthand from colleagues about their concerns. The visits went well, senators said, and by the end of the day, Trump’s most endangered pick, Matt Gaetz for attorney general, seemed to have stabilized—with many lawmakers saying they looked forward to confirmation hearings next year. Gaetz said he got a warm reception, and it marked a 'great day of momentum' for the Trump-Vance administration, " the Journal's Vivian Salama and Lindsay Wise wrote before adding that 24 hours later Gaetz stepped aside.
According to the report, that has raised " ... an open question as to whether Vance will be as strong an asset for Trump on Capitol Hill as he was on the campaign trail—and where he best fits in the crowded Trump orbit alongside heavy hitters such as Robert Kennedy Jr.and Elon Musk, who want to make their own marks on the administration’ direction."
The report also adds, "It may be awkward for Vance, given the president-elect routinely hands out his cellphone number to allies on the Hill and elsewhere, and encourages them to reach out directly, when needed. Before the election, Trump even dismissed the role of presidential running mates and said voters were more focused on voting for him, and him alone, when asked about some of Vance’s early missteps on the campaign trail."
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