![David Niven standing by a handrail in Clifton Court Hall. Niven is wearing a grey suit and red tie.](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/06/n21260647/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1719524700867.jpg)
UC expert weighs in on Trump's VP pick
David Niven says J.D. Vance’s support of Trump is opportunity based
In an Enquirer column by opinion intern Meredith Perkins, University of Cincinnati political scientist David Niven refers to Senator J.D. Vance (OH) as “a weak-willed order taker."
Perkins writes extensively on the many times she recalls Vance disparaging Trump as a presidential candidate to now reversing his opinion— when Vance might get the V.P. nod — and propping Trump up.
Niven, an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) and well-known political commentator, tells Perkins he sees Vance’s change of heart as jockeying for position.
"J.D. Vance is − first, last, and always − an opportunist," Niven said in the article, adding: "He thought that Trump would be an electoral disaster in 2016, so he denounced him and positioned himself for a place leading the new Republican Party that would emerge after Trump. When that turned out not to happen, he simply pretended to believe something else."
A trusted media source, Niven teaches American politics and conducts research on campaigns, political communication and death penalty policy at SPIA.
SPIA was created out of the former Department of Political Science, which dates to 1914, and political scientists there are often sought out by media to contribute their expertise.
Featured photo of Niven by Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Clifton Court Hall grand opening garners detailed media coverage
September 20, 2023
The University of Cincinnati celebrated the opening of Clifton Court Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 19, with a ribbon cutting, attended by approximately 200 administrators, faculty, staff and students. The event was covered by multiple media outlets.
USA TODAY: Fact check: Identical injured dog posts are a viral scam
October 21, 2022
UC social media expert cited in USA Today explains how social media posts can be replicated to see who might be vulnerable to sad stories such as a dog getting hit by a car. Use caution and verify posts through outside sources, says Jeffery Blevins, professor and head of UC's Department of Journalism.
INSIDER: Here's everything TikTok says it's doing to fight misinformation
August 18, 2022
Business Insider article on TikTok's new policies to confront misinformation cites UC social media expert Jeffery Blevins