That is a fascinating article. Vance is very astute. Very smart and calculating. I looked up his statement about casualties in the Iraq War. He's right. They were disproportionately white. That he would know this is pretty impressive. He's got his facts straight.
He 'sees' Trump. He understands the political appeal. And knows absolutely that Trump is unfit. Vance says the dumbest things, and he is not a dumb man. He will be one step away from the presidency, if Trump should win, and Trump is an overweight 78-year-old man. Scary on all counts.
Yes. And not just that. He is 40 years old. He can potentially have a full political career ahead of him. Trump is doing his very best to destroy the GOP, with Vance they might have a hope in future.
His wife is Indian. A telegu. Comes from a whole family of academics. They were class mates in law school. Certainly she is not a lady to marry a stupid man. I am Indian, and no modern educated Indian young lady will do such a thing. So bottom line the speeches JD is giving now is not the line he will walk in future. He is too smart for that. He is taking a bet on himself for the reason you mentioned. Next in line alongside a 78 year old lunatic who can be manipulated.