Josh Shapiro lambasts JD Vance for what he said to 'insult' Barack Obama

PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro criticized Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance for a peculiar insult, claiming that Vance accused him of mimicking former President Barack Obama.

Governor Shapiro, a prominent figure in a key swing state, is a leading contender to be selected as Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate. The announcement is expected before Tuesday, aligning with the Democratic rally planned in Philadelphia.

JD Vance criticized Josh Shapiro for a 'poor imitation' of Barack Obama

Senator JD Vance of Ohio, recently announced as former President Donald Trump's running mate at the Republican National Convention, criticized Josh Shapiro for what he called a "poor imitation" of Obama during an interview on the 'Full Send' podcast when asked about the potential Democratic opponent.

"There's a lot of talk it's gonna be this guy Josh Shapiro from Pennsylvania," Vance said. "I've seen a couple clips of him talking. He talks like Barack Obama. It's like if I tried to do a really bad impression of Barack Obama, that's what it would sound like."

During a press conference on Friday, August 2, Shapiro replied to the comments, stating that Vance's remark was "kind of a weird insult," given that Obama is known as a historically "gifted orator."

"I don't know, Barack Obama was probably our most gifted orator of my time," Shapiro said. "It's kind of a weird insult, I guess. Look, I'll say this about JD Vance: It is real hard being honest with the American people when you're not being honest with yourself.

"JD Vance is a total phony baloney," he added. "He is the most inorganic candidate I think I have ever seen on the national stage....This guy is really not off to a good start."

Josh Shapiro's speech pattern has been compared to Barack Obama

JD Vance isn't the only one who thinks Shapiro's speech pattern resembles Obama's. In a recent episode of 'The Daily Show,' comedian Ronny Chieng suggested that the governor was "doing an Obama."

"Just listen to this guy speak, because is he doing an Obama?" Chieng said before playing a clip of Shapiro. "That's not just me, right? We all hear that. I was almost expecting him to be like, 'And that's why you should vote for me, Josh Hussein Shapiro.'"

Recent speculation about Shapiro's potential as a running mate has increased after the Harris campaign announced Philadelphia as the initial destination for their full ticket. This buzz was further fueled by the governor's abrupt cancellation of a planned fundraising trip to the Hamptons in New York.

"The Governor's trip was planned several weeks ago and included several fundraisers for his own campaign committee," Manuel Bonder, press secretary for Shapiro, stated in an email to Newsweek. "His schedule has changed and he is no longer traveling to the Hamptons this weekend."

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, a leading contender for VP, has also canceled his travel plans for Friday. Meanwhile, Shapiro has emerged as the frontrunner for Harris's running mate, with bookmakers favoring him. As of early Friday evening, the betting site Polymarket has given him a 73 percent chance of securing the position.

JD Vance faces backlash

As soon as the news surfaced the social media, users started reacting to it.

A user wrote, "JD Vance is an idiot and a far right extremist. Shapiro put Vance is in his place. He’s going to be the VP." 

Another user added, "I’ve heard a lot of people saying Trump is going to dump Vance because he’s too stupid. And he’s going to do it soon to get it behind him."

A commentator slammed JD Vance, saying, "Jd Dunce doesn’t know the difference between praise and insult. A very bad product sold to Trump."

"JD Vance literally quoted saying 'Trump is American Hitler.' And now he's Teumps ball pedestal. Real integrity with JD Vance right there," One claimed. [sic]

An X user said, "JD Vance is trying to impress Trump by picking up fights with people that are way above his skill level. Keep it coming, this is more entertaining than the Olympics."

"He should resign for using such foul language. Saying phony baloney makes me sick," a person stated.

Other chimed in, "JD Vance is the Original Hillbilly IDIOT."

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