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UC expert weighs in on Trump's VP pick

David Niven says J.D. Vance’s support of Trump is opportunity based

headshot of Angela Koenig By Angela Koenig 513-558-4625
2 minute read June 27, 2024

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. 

Read the Enquirer article.

Featured photo of Niven by Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand. 

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