Republican Vice Presidential nominee JD Vance has adopted a new media strategy that involves his supporters jeering reporters’ questions while cheering him on. This tactic, which has become a prominent feature at his campaign events, is meant to create a favorable environment for Vance while insulating him from tough media scrutiny.
Vance’s New Media Strategy: Drowning Out Tough Questions
At a campaign stop in Traverse City, Michigan, JD Vance, the Republican Vice Presidential nominee, unveiled a new approach to dealing with media questions. Surrounded by a crowd of supporters, Vance faced a local reporter’s question about housing costs. Before the question could even be asked, the crowd erupted in boos, with Vance smiling in approval. This hostile reaction to the press has become a regular feature of Vance’s campaign events.
Using Supporters as a Buffer
Vance’s supporters, often donning Trump-Vance merchandise and holding campaign signs, create a human wall behind him during press interactions. This stagecraft serves a dual purpose: amplifying Vance’s responses while drowning out questions that could be seen as critical or unfavorable. At a previous event in North Carolina, a similar scenario played out when a question about a controversial Republican gubernatorial candidate was met with boos and thumbs-down gestures from the crowd.
Media Hostility and Vance’s Greek Chorus
Some local reporters, like Traverse City Record-Eagle journalist Peter Kobs, have likened the crowd’s behavior to a “Greek chorus,” adding emotion and volume to Vance’s responses. Kobs, who has faced threats throughout his career, described the hostility as part of a “herd mentality” that transforms even polite community members into a jeering crowd.
A Strategy to Deflect Criticism
Vance’s new approach is not just about optics. It also serves as a tool to deflect criticism from the press. After an early run of negative media coverage surrounding his past controversial comments, Vance has used this tactic to insulate himself from potentially tough questions. His supporters’ reactions help shift the narrative, bolstering Vance’s confidence and controlling the atmosphere at his events.
Comparisons to Earlier Campaign Events
This shift in strategy is notable compared to Vance’s earlier campaign stops, where he was flanked by silent law enforcement officials rather than vocal supporters. During an event in Michigan in August, for instance, he fielded questions in a much quieter atmosphere. The addition of the crowd now allows Vance to exert more control over the narrative.
Supporter Reactions and Media Criticism
Vance’s supporters, like Charity Domres, a 50-year-old postmaster, see the tactic as building him up and giving him more confidence. However, some attendees, such as Robert Schwartz, a Republican supporting a different candidate, expressed concern over using the media as a prop to generate boos, emphasizing that many Americans rely on independent media to ask important questions.
Vance’s Engagement with the Press
Despite the hostile crowd reactions, Vance has shown a willingness to engage with both local and national reporters. His strategy contrasts sharply with that of his Democratic opponent, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who has not held as many interviews. According to Vance’s allies, this openness is viewed as a net-positive for the Trump-Vance campaign, particularly in battleground states like Michigan.
Vance’s Criticism of Kamala Harris
Vance has also used his campaign events to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of avoiding tough media scrutiny. He pointed to her recent interview with MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle as an example, arguing that she chooses friendly media terrain, unlike his own engagement with the press.
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