Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) dismissed concerns from members of both parties who say he was the “wrong choice” for former President Trump’s running mate, calling the criticism “a badge of honor,” in an interview on Sunday.
On Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” host Maria Bartiromo pressed Vance to respond to criticism “from both the Democratic and Republican sides,” asking him: “Some people are saying you were the wrong choice for teammate. Trump ticket. What are you doing about it?”
Vance chuckled softly to himself and said, “Look, I recognize that there are a lot of people, even in the Republican establishment and certainly on the far left, who don’t like the fact that Donald Trump chose me.”
“In fact, I consider their criticism as a badge of honor. Of course the media will attack the people they fear most. I think the media will attack the people who can most effectively deliver President Trump’s message to a broader swath of the electorate.”
Vance referenced his childhood upbringing — the basis for his best-selling memoir, “The Hillbilly Elegy” — and dismissed concerns from the Republican establishment, saying “normal” Americans will identify with his story.
“And I don’t come from inside the Rodoanel, Maria. You know I grew up as a poor child. I don’t come from a political family or a rich family. I went through college, went through the Marine Corps and ended up becoming Donald Trump’s running mate,” Vance said.
“I think it’s a story that a lot of normal Americans can empathize with. I’m not shocked that many of the internal media don’t like me, but their policies are the problem. Of course, they don’t like me because we’re rushing to fix what they broke.”
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
