Vice President Vance vows victory in midterm elections at Republican convention; Secretary Rubio's absence is conspicuous

[Dallas Current Affairs] Vice President Vance delivered the keynote speech on the 10th, the final day of the ruling Republican Party convention held in Dallas, Texas, pledging victory in the November midterm elections. For Mr. Vance, who is being talked about as a potential Republican candidate for the 2028 presidential election, this was an opportunity to increase his visibility and unifying force within the party, but depending on the results of the midterm elections, there is also the risk that he could be held accountable.

U.S. Vice President Vance angered by heckler: ``Go to Mexico'' - U.S. midterm elections

Mr. Vance began by asking the audience to empathize with him by saying, "We're tired of being called racists because we realize this country is becoming poorer and more dangerous." As the voice of the president chanting ``48,'' meaning the next president (the 48th), echoed through the venue, he said with a smile, ``First of all, we have to work on what needs to be done in November. Then we can start thinking about the future.''

Mr. Vance, who grew up in a poor family, is seen as a politician with a support base among grassroots conservatives and enjoys a certain level of acclaim among President Trump's bedrock supporters, MAGA. His potential rival is Secretary of State Rubio, who has high expectations from traditional conservatives who do not belong to MAGA.

Mr. Rubio did not attend the party convention because he was traveling abroad, but his ``absence'' became conspicuous as several Cabinet members, including Treasury Secretary Bensent and Secretary of Health and Human Services John Kennedy, also attended.

Wes Holland, a Dallas construction worker who attended the convention, praised Vance as ``a good candidate.'' Immediately afterwards, he confessed, ``I like Marco (Rubio). He's very smart.''

"Right now, I'm supporting Vance," said Ethan Johnson, a student from El Paso, Texas, who comes from a working family and was one of the participants. "I'm not going to change my position until something comes along that makes me think, 'Maybe Marco is better.'"