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By Aila Slisco
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The Indian American wife of Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance speaking at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night following series of racist attacks was a "crucial moment," according to a political analyst.
Usha Vance, the daughter of immigrants from India, was born and raised in San Diego, California, before pursuing a career as a lawyer. She married the then-future U.S. senator and Hillbilly Elegy author in 2014 after the couple met at Yale Law School.
A decade later, when former President Donald Trump selected JD Vance as his 2024 running mate, a number of racist far-right MAGA proponents claimed that Usha Vance's heritage meant that her husband would have a softer immigration stance and fail to "support white identity."
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"Do we really expect that the guy who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek is going to support white identity?" white supremacist Nick Fuentes, who dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago home alongside rapper Kanye West in November 2022, said during a recent episode of his podcast.
During her speech on Wednesday night, Usha Vance did not mention the racist attacks but did highlight the differences between herself and her husband, arguing that their marriage has been "a testament to this great country."
"That JD and I could meet at all, let alone fall in love and marry, is a testament to this great country," she said. "It is also a testament to JD, and it tells you something about who he is. When JD met me, he approached our differences with curiosity and enthusiasm.
"He wanted to know everything about me: Where I came from, what my life had been like. Although he's a meat and potatoes kind of guy, he adapted to my vegetarian diet and learned to cook food for my mother, Indian food," she added before introducing her husband.
In a text message to Newsweek, political analyst Robert Collins said that Usha Vance's speech had "succeeded" in "humanizing" JD Vance.
"Her goal was to soften his image with members of the electorate that have only seen the divisive side of JD Vance," Collins wrote. "Her introduction was not about partisan politics. It was just focusing on his character as a family man. In essence, she was trying to humanize him. And I think she succeeded in her task."
Usha Vance was also praised for the speech soon after delivering it on social media.
"Usha Vance is lovely. What a beautiful speech," conservative commentator and journalist Kassy Dillon wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
"Usha Vance might be the most impressive person in that room," wrote columnist Kirsten Fleming.
"Usha Vance like ten bazillion times better a speaker than any other human being who's been up there tonight," The Bulwark White House correspondent Andrew Egger wrote.
"I love her! So authentic and genuine!" wrote Kylie Jane Kremer, one of the organizers of the pro-Trump "Save America" rally that preceded the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
D. Stephen Voss, a professor of political science at the University of Kentucky, said in an email to Newsweek that the speeches by Usha and JD Vance both "tended to be safe but dull" and "did not deliver to listeners much concrete that would counteract Democratic criticisms of him—about his relationship to Appalachia, for example, or about his flipflop on Donald Trump."
"Usha Vance's introduction did a good job humanizing her husband before his own presentation," Voss wrote. "But most of what Usha said could have been said by almost any sweet and loyal political wife. In particular, the Vances missed a real opportunity to add finesse to the debate over immigration. They danced around the issue, but put it in mostly personal terms that gave listeners no powerful takeaway."
While the issue was not addressed in the speech, political analyst Craig Agranoff said in a text message to Newsweek earlier on Wednesday that racism directed toward Usha Vance could "create personal and political rifts," including the possibility of "straining Vance's relationship with former President Trump and his supporters."
Agranoff argued that the couple appearing together at the convention would give them "an opportunity to address these issues directly, potentially fostering a broader dialogue about inclusivity and respect within the party."
"Their joint appearance at the Republican convention is a crucial moment," Agranoff said. "It demonstrates their resilience and unity in the face of adversity ... Their presence can also humanize their political journey, making it a pivotal moment for the couple as they continue to navigate the complexities of public life."
Agranoff went on to say that the situation "presents a delicate balance for Trump," with the former president having the opportunity to demonstrate "a commitment to inclusivity within his movement" while also running the risk of bringing "more attention to the negative comments."
Robert Y. Shapiro, political science professor at Columbia University, told Newsweek via email that Trump, Vance and their advisers would be best suited to avoid "blowing up" the issue if they "are thinking straight," suggesting that the campaign and the couple should simply ignore "racists in the MAGA camp."
"What are the racist commenters going to do, not vote for Trump?" Shapiro wrote. "This is a big moment for JD and Usha and draws further attention to the campaign. But however it goes, the memory of it will fade as the campaign goes on."
Grant Davis Reeher, professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek that Usha Vance speaking at the convention alongside her husband was "a huge moment for the couple, and for each of them."
"They are both quite well accomplished and young, so this first national appearance will set the early tone," Reeher said in an email. "If they come across as fresh and likable, but still speaking to and embodying traditional norms, that will help the party's brand."
Usha Vance quit her job as a trial lawyer just after Trump selected her husband as his running mate, according to the Associated Press. Before that, she served as a law clerk to future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
Update 7/18, 9:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to include quotes from University of Kentucky Political Science Professor D. Stephen Voss.
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