JD Vance has been critical of Trump in the past but those are now long forgotten notions as he has cast his lot with the former President. (Politico)

Ohio is now a red state and any candidate that hopes to garner the praise and votes of the GOP primary electorate has to worship at the feet of former President Trump. He continues to hold an almost mythic hold over the party and anyone who wants to advance must pay homage to him and do cartwheels to retract any previous criticism. JD Vance now finds himself in that exact position and has to convince Trump and his rapid supporters that his retractions are legitimate. It is most unfortunate that one political party can’t criticize the man who started an insurrection meant to overthrow the government.