Vice President J.D. Vance joked his way Monday past the chatter over what Republicans’ midterm losses mean for his political future, saying he’s confident “our backup quarterback” can engineer an “amazing turnaround” after a “devastating loss.”
But he wasn’t talking about politics.
He was talking about the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have dropped back-to-back games, including a loss to Oregon over the weekend, after their starting quarterback went down with an injury.
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The joke drew a smattering of applause, but it landed against a far more serious political backdrop.
Republicans are still sorting through the rubble from their disappointing midterm performance, which has triggered finger-pointing and second-guessing regarding everything from President Trump’s standing with voters to White House staffing decisions.
The conversation also has extended to Mr. Vance, who for years has been viewed by many Republicans as the heir apparent to the MAGA movement and a leading contender for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination.
The election, however, has muddied that picture.
Speaking at the National Veterans’ Small Business Week kickoff event in Washington, Mr. Vance opened with what sounded like a thinly veiled commentary on Republican politics. He lamented a “devastating loss,” referenced criticism directed at the team’s leader, joked about staff shakeups and noted the questions surrounding whether the No. 2 person was ready to take over.
“I’m talking, of course, about the Ohio State Buckeyes,” he said. “And let me just assure you that I really believe in Luke Fahey, our backup quarterback.”
The list of potential Republican contenders for 2028 also includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
Mr. Vance, who served just over two years in the Senate from Ohio before becoming vice president, has repeatedly said he has not decided whether he will seek the presidency. But some Republican strategists and political insiders are openly wondering whether he may now be more inclined to sit out the race.
Betting markets offer one indication of the shifting landscape.
Before Election Day, Polymarket gave Mr. Vance the best odds of winning the 2028 presidential race. He has since slipped behind Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia. Mr. Ossoff, however, insisted during this year’s reelection campaign that he intends to serve out his full six-year Senate term.
Mr. Rubio now ranks fourth on the prediction market, trailing not only Mr. Vance and Mr. Ossoff, but also Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Mr. DeSantis sits sixth, behind Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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