“I Get Dumber Listening to Kamala” — JD Vance Torches VP Harris on Book Tour & Shutdown

In a candid interview on *The Ingraham Angle*, Vice President JD Vance sat down with Laura Ingraham to discuss the state of American politics, the rising appeal of socialism among young people, Kamala Harris’s new book, and the challenges facing Congress as a government shutdown looms. Vance’s unfiltered take on Vice President Kamala Harris, his insights on economic anxiety, and his critique of Democratic priorities reveal the sharp contrasts shaping today’s political landscape.

Kamala Harris’s latest book, *107 Days*, chronicles the length of her campaign and, according to Vance, shifts blame for her loss onto the short duration of her run. Harris even refers to Vance as “juvenile” and a “shape shifter,” nearly resorting to name-calling in her writing. Vance, however, dismisses the notion that her campaign was too short, arguing instead that it was “too long.”

“When people actually listened to what she had to say, her polling went down and down and down,” Vance quipped. “If her campaign had lasted 150 days, Donald Trump would have won by an even bigger landslide.”

He contrasts Harris with past Democratic leaders like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, noting that, despite policy disagreements, those leaders could articulate their viewpoints with substance. In contrast, Vance claims, “I listen to Kamala Harris for 90 seconds and I actually feel like I’ve gotten dumber in the process. I have no idea what she actually believes.”

Vance’s advice to Harris and politicians like her is simple: “Just say what you actually believe. Don’t do this word salad, talking around in circles. It doesn’t work and it’s why she didn’t win.”

The conversation shifted to the growing popularity of socialist and communist ideas, particularly in places like New York, where politicians such as Zohran Mamdani push for “affordability” and promise free benefits. Vance acknowledges that this message resonates strongly with young people, especially those who feel economically hopeless.

“If you’re a 25-year-old kid who can’t afford a home, whose wages don’t allow you to take a nice vacation, you’re going to be attracted to somebody promising free stuff,” Vance explained.

He cautions conservatives against simply dismissing socialist politicians as radicals, urging them to understand why their message is so attractive. Referencing the late Charlie Kirk, Vance notes, “Charlie was smarter about this than almost any conservative I’ve ever talked to. He recognized that we have to give young people a stake in the future.”

Vance argues that unless conservatives offer young Americans a real alternative—a life of dignity and purpose—they will continue to be drawn to promises of “free stuff” and government solutions.

As Congress faces a potential government shutdown, Vance lays out the fundamental divide between Republicans and Democrats. He accuses Democrats of threatening a shutdown unless Republicans agree to allocate a trillion dollars for medical benefits for illegal aliens.

“The major healthcare reform we’ve done in this administration is making it harder to give your hard-earned tax dollars to illegal aliens,” Vance said. “Democrats want to shut down the government because we won’t give free benefits to illegal aliens.”

He frames the debate as a “stark contrast between two parties’ priorities,” with Republicans focused on serving American citizens and Democrats fixated on expanding benefits to non-citizens.

Vance also notes that the funding bill passed by the Republican Congress simply maintains current levels of government spending, a compromise necessitated by Democratic control of the Senate. “We recognize we have to get something the Democrats can actually vote for. If you can’t get seven Democrats to vote for a clean continuing resolution, what are we supposed to do?”

JD Vance’s interview offers a clear-eyed critique of contemporary politics, from the lack of substance in Kamala Harris’s messaging to the economic anxieties fueling the popularity of socialism among young Americans. His defense of conservative priorities in the government shutdown debate underscores the deep divisions in Washington.

Vance’s message to his party is direct: conservatives must do a better job articulating a vision for young people and the country at large, one that offers real opportunity and hope—not just opposition to the promises of “free stuff.” The stakes, he argues, are nothing less than the future of the American dream.