Vice President JD Vance delivered a moment of levity during a Wednesday appearance when he made a well-received joke about burritos, according to initial reports from the event.
The comment came as Vance has sought to soften his public image following a rocky start to his vice presidency that included several high-profile verbal missteps and polling numbers that lagged behind historical averages for second-year vice presidents.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic critics were quick to note that the burrito joke does little to address what they describe as substantive policy failures during the administration's first year and a half in office. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the moment represents "a distraction from the real issues facing working families." "We can't eat our way out of inflation with a joke about fast food," he added, referencing ongoing concerns about grocery prices that remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Progressive advocacy groups echoed this sentiment. Public Citizen president Rob Weisserman argued that "one joke doesn't erase the damage done by administration policies on healthcare access and consumer protections." The progressive group Demand Justice called the moment "transparent political positioning" designed to humanize a vice president who they say has repeatedly sided with corporate interests over average Americans.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican allies praised Vance for demonstrating political agility. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina said the moment showed "a side of the vice president that voters can relate to." "Political humor is part of the job," Tillis added, noting that previous vice presidents including Joe Biden had employed similar tactics.
The White House press secretary offered measured approval in a post on social media. Conservative commentators were more effusive. The Federalist's Sean Davis wrote that Vance's "ability to read the political temperature and adapt is exactly what voters want to see from their leaders." Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk called it "a home run moment that shows why JD Vance connects with young voters."
What the Numbers Show
Vance's favorability rating stands at 38% approve and 47% disapprove according to the most recent Morning Consult poll conducted August 5-8, a modest 3-point improvement from his trough in March. His net approval of -9 compares unfavorably to Mike Pence's -2 at the same point in his vice presidency and Kamala Harris's +4 during her second year.
The burrito joke comes as the administration has seen recent polling improvements across several key metrics following July's better-than-expected jobs report. The president's approval has climbed to 43%, up from a low of 39% in June, according to FiveThirtyEight's aggregate tracking.
The Bottom Line
The burrito moment illustrates the ongoing challenge facing Vance as he works to improve his standing with the public while navigating the limitations inherent in the vice presidential role. Political observers note that vice presidents typically struggle for visibility outside of crisis moments, and humor has long served as a tool for breaking through.
What happens next: Vance is expected to continue a schedule of regional appearances this fall aimed at building relationships with voters outside traditional political settings. His effectiveness in these efforts will likely be measured against continued polling trends heading into the midterm election cycle.