Zürcher Nachrichten - Vance assails Democratic 'hate' in fiery US midterm pitch

Taking the stage in Dallas to a huge roar and chants of "JD! JD!", Vance sought to sharpen a convention-long portrayal of Democrats as extremists, saying disagreements within the Republican coalition paled in comparison to those dividing the left.

"This fall, the Democrats are running candidates who will tell your children what they're allowed to say, how they're allowed to live, and, importantly, who they ought to hate," Vance said.

"Because that's what the Democrat Party is about in 2026. It's not about you. It's about foreign fraudsters, and it's about who they hate."

The 42-year-old vice president's appearance also offered Republicans a glimpse of a potential post-Trump future, with Vance widely regarded as an early front-runner for the party's 2028 presidential nomination.

His keynote immediately before President Donald Trump's closing remarks gave him one of the convention's most prominent speaking slots, although Vance has said he will not decide on a White House run until after the midterms.

Republicans enter the November elections under heavy pressure.

US election tracking site Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats will win the House 229-206 and has the Senate on a knife-edge at 50-50. Trump's approval rating has languished in the low-to-mid 30s amid stubborn inflation and an unpopular war with Iran.

Trump dramatically raised the stakes in his opening-night keynote Wednesday, promising a $5,000 "Trump dividend" to every American adult if Republicans retain both chambers of Congress.

He also strongly defended the Iran war, predicting victory would bring down oil prices, and warned that the United States would become a "communist country" if Democrats prevail.

- Family and future -

Family and fatherhood were recurring themes in Vance's address as he sought to contrast what he described as traditional values with the political left.

He also paid tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk on the first anniversary of his killing, addressing Kirk's young children directly.

"History will record that your father was a great man," Vance said.

He recalled Kirk's particular appeal to youth, saying the activist believed there was "no greater calling for a young man" than falling in love, starting a family and becoming a father.

Vance accused political opponents of attacking the traditional family.

"To the radicals who wish to abolish my family and the thousands and millions of other families all across our country, we have a simple message for them: stay the hell away from our kids," he said.

His speech was briefly interrupted by a protester waving a Mexican flag and shouting from the crowd.

"Well, my friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there," Vance responded. "I'll buy you the plane ticket."

- High-stakes gamble -

The convention has resembled an extended Trump rally more than a traditional party meeting, with no nominations or formal business and more than 50 speakers or presentations each night.

Organizers said 20,000 spectators attended Wednesday's opening day -- close to capacity for the arena, which had conspicuous gaps in the crowd during parts of Trump's speech.

Not all Republicans have embraced the experiment.

Numerous lawmakers in competitive races chose to remain in their districts rather than spend valuable campaign time in Dallas, while both convention nights faced competition from the opening games of the NFL season.

The central Republican gamble remains whether Trump can mobilize voters personally loyal to him even when he is not actually running, without further alienating independents who have soured on his presidency.

Vance's appearance put an additional question before the party: whether one of Trump's potential successors can eventually inherit the political coalition he built.

"I'm not asking you to agree with every policy of our administration," Vance told the crowd.

"I'm asking you to recognize the contrast with the radicals, and the achievements of the last 18 months."

L.Zimmermann--NZN