US VP Vance campaigns in hometown with eye on 2028

US Vice-President JD Vance addressed his hometown of Middletown, Ohio, on Friday, as part of his campaign for Republicans in the upcoming midterms and a potential run for the presidency in 2028. The speech was delivered at the steel plant where his grandfather spent four decades working as a welder, a location that holds significance in Vance's bestselling book, "Hillbilly Elegy."

The memoir chronicles his humble beginnings in the struggling Rust Belt, an area that played a role in Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement.

Vance's campaign strategy involves appealing to blue-collar voters while positioning himself as a more moderate alternative to Trump. During his speech, he emphasized the isolation and simple expectations his grandfather had, including not being asked to be the world's police. Despite seeking a centrist tone, Vance did not shy away from criticizing the opposition, particularly on issues like immigration and "woke" politics.

Vance praised the Trump administration's progress on affordability, a key concern for voters who have expressed anger over rising prices. The Vice-President dismissed Trump's claims that the criticism was a hoax created by Democrats. Regarding the race to succeed Trump in 2028, Vance has not officially confirmed his candidacy but is strategically presenting himself as the heir to the MAGA movement.

However, Republican Party members are also considering other contenders, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A recent poll by Emerson College and The Hill revealed that Rubio outperformed Vance in most head-to-head matchups against leading Democratic contenders.

Meanwhile, Democrats are grappling with their own challenges as they attempt to recover from the 2024 defeat of former Vice-President Kamala Harris. The far-left faction within the Democratic Party has achieved several primary victories, while centrists strive to distance themselves from proposals like universal health care.