Harris hits ‘rubber stamp’ Vance ahead of senator’s convention speech

Vice President Harris went after Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) in a video published Wednesday, warning that the GOP vice presidential nominee would be a “rubber stamp” for an “extreme agenda.”

Harris spoke directly to the camera is a 45-second video in which she criticized Vance’s support for abortion restrictions, his willingness to reject election results and the potential threat he would pose to programs such as Medicare.

“Donald Trump has picked his new running mate: JD Vance. Trump looked for someone he knew would be a rubber stamp for his extreme agenda,” Harris said in the video. “Make no mistake: JD Vance will be loyal only to Trump, not to our country.”

The decision to deploy Harris to attack Vance comes as the senator is set to deliver the keynote address Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Vance will formally accept the party’s nomination as its vice presidential candidate and speak about his background and his support for former President Trump, preparing to take on President Biden in November.

Trump announced Monday he had chosen Vance as his running mate. While the Ohio Republican was once a fierce Trump critic, he has evolved into one of the former president’s staunchest allies and defenders and has echoed his policy views on trade and foreign policy. He is also viewed as a strong communicator and a future face of the party.

Harris and Vance spoke over the phone Tuesday and had a “brief and respectful” conversation, a source familiar with the matter said. Harris had reached out Monday, and the two connected the next day.

CBS News is expected to host a vice presidential debate Aug. 13. Both sides have expressed interest in attending.