Donald Trump’s selection of Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his 2024 running mate elicited great excitement from Republicans and provoked equal condemnation from Democrats.

In American politics today, polar opposite views collide on virtually every issue, including Trump and Joe Biden calling each other the worst president in our history. One result is that legitimate and necessary debate is stifled.

Vance must reinforce Trump’s positions on ending unlimited support for Ukraine, closing the border, deporting illegal migrants, imposing tariffs on imports, cutting taxes and giving Israel a blank check in Gaza while advocating a major U.S. defense and industrial base buildup.

In an about-face with mainstream MAGA supporters' thinking that Iran is a major threat, Vance urges caution in how the U.S. approaches the Mullahs. To Vance, China must become a “focus,” implying tougher U.S. policies.

In a rational and apolitical world, many of Vance’s positions deserve serious debate.

Vance says his opposition to so-called endless wars stemmed from his Marines deployment to Iraq in 2005. However, Vance’s wartime experience was confined to relatively safe assignments as a combat........

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