Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) spent much of this week attempting to counter Vice President Kamala Harris’s public events by speaking in the same locations before big Democratic Party rallies. Vance turned up in Philadelphia on Tuesday and Michigan on Wednesday, hoping to draw attention away from Harris. However, some argue that his strategy is proving problematic.
In Philadelphia, Vance addressed a small group in front of a blue sign intended to criticize Harris. Unfortunately for Vance, part of the sign’s messaging was obscured by attendees, leaving only the name “KAMALA” prominently displayed above his head. This visual misstep distracted from his intended message.
In Michigan on Wednesday morning, Vance spoke outside a police station, attacking Gov. Tim Walz’s (D-MN) 24-year military career as “stolen valor.” The camera focused tightly on Vance, with police officers standing behind him. However, Detroit News reporter Craig Mauger noted the lack of a significant rally crowd. A photograph taken shortly before Vance spoke showed police officers mingling and only one woman off to the side.
This sparse turnout led political consultant and former Joe Biden campaigner Cliff Schecter to question the effectiveness of Vance’s events. “Are we sure this isn’t Four Seasons Landscaping, Shelby County?” Schecter quipped, referencing the infamous 2020 press conference held by Trump supporter Rudy Giuliani at the Four Seasons Total Landscaping business in Pennsylvania.
The Lincoln Project also drew parallels to Giuliani’s event, posting a photo of the Pennsylvania setup Giuliani had before his notorious press conference. Democratic pollster Matt McDermott commented on the apparent lack of enthusiasm, stating, “Not a great sign of Republican enthusiasm when their VP candidate is holding events set up for a dozen people in a municipal parking lot.”
The size of the stage also attracted attention. Influencer “Florida Chris,” with over 38,000 X followers, remarked, “Look at that itty bitty stage,” highlighting the unimpressive scale of Vance’s setup.
Vance’s attempts to overshadow Harris’s events by speaking at the same locations have drawn significant criticism, with detractors pointing out the lack of substantial crowds and the less-than-ideal settings. As the 2024 election approaches, the effectiveness of such strategies remains in question, particularly when compared to the more robust Democratic rallies.
The backlash underscores the challenges Vance and other Republicans may face in generating enthusiasm and support, especially when their events are perceived as poorly attended or mismanaged. This episode serves as a reminder that optics and crowd engagement play crucial roles in political campaigns, and any missteps can quickly become fodder for opponents and the media.