There has been much recent criticism of Trump’s vice presidential pick J.D. Vance. I would like to come to Mr. Vance’s defense by highlighting one of his under-appreciated virtues, courage. I’m not referring to the political courage that was necessary to take on powerful special interest groups such as childless women who own cats. Nor am I referring to the moral courage it took to publicly state that he would have gone along with Trump’s attempt to overturn a free and fair election and thus bring to an end our almost 250 year old democracy.

I am actually referring to the raw physical courage it took to agree to be Trump’s vice presidential pick, given that Trump incited a mob to try to hang Mike Pence, his first vice president. I have such admiration for a man willing to risk his health and safety and perhaps even his life in pursuit of such noble causes. But it is because of that very admiration that I will be supporting the Harris-Walz presidential ticket. I don’t want to be in any way complicit in putting J.D. Vance’s life in danger by having him be elected as Trump’s vice president.

Stephen Rasche

Canterbury