The 39-year-old Republican vice-presidential nominee was reeling. After a heady beginning, he was suddenly mired in national controversy as the press corps targeted him for destruction. There was increasing talk about dumping him from the ticket and replacing him with a more mainstream candidate. Only at the last minute was he able to give a speech on television that rescued his political fortunes.

This was the plight of Richard M. Nixon in September 1952—and it could serve as a model for J.D. Vance as Donald Trump ponders throwing him overboard and House Republicans refer to him as “the worst choice.” Like Nixon, Vance was brought on to bolster the enthusiasm of the Republican base. Like Nixon, Vance is 39-years-old. And like Nixon, he will need to deliver a ”Checkers” speech that addresses his imprudent comments about marriage and children.

In 1952 Nixon got into hot water when the New York Post alleged that Nixon had a secret slush fund that was backed by a “millionaire’s club” of his California supporters who ensured that it was “devoted exclusively to the financial comfort of Sen. Nixon.” The fund was in fact not illegal—the........

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