Washington Examiner executive editor Bob Cusack said the midterm convention speeches from President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance underscore Vance’s ambitions for the GOP’s future.
“While Trump gave the red meat to the convention, Vance was demonizing Democrats and also, I think, making a little bit of a play for independents,” Cusack said on C-Span’s Campaign 2026.
Cusack said Vance’s speech was “quite effective” and delivered a strong message as he “delved into his family.”
“It was also interesting that both yesterday and today, for Trump’s speech yesterday, last night, and Vance’s speech, who was behind them? All women. And that’s a weak spot for Trump and Vance right now,” Cusack said.
Vance described his ambitions for his son, Alec, who was born in July. His powerful narrative also touched on his family life.
“And so to the radicals who wish to abolish my family or any other, we have a simple message: Stay the hell away from my kids,” Vance said.
On the other hand, Trump’s speech implored the audience to swear an oath to vote this November.
“You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell,” Trump said.
“Without a doubt, I think the energy for Vance’s speech was higher than I thought,” Cusack said.
Chants throughout the venue echoed, “JD, 48.”
“I think he helped his standing in 2028 with that speech,” Cusack said.
“When the spotlight is bright on Vance, he delivers,” he continued.
Cusack expressed cautious optimism about Vance’s speech translating to garnering enough support from swing voters to help Republicans maintain power.
“Are we going to be talking about this in a month, by Halloween? Did it change a lot of voters? We’ll check the polls,” Cusack said.
The midterm election will be held on Nov. 3.