Eric Schmitt’s shadow campaign for the vice presidency lasted six hours

Published Updated



Sen. Eric Schmitt’s (R-MO) unsubtle bid for the 2028 vice presidency lasted less than six hours. It lived at the hands of a press even more idiotic than our politicians, and it died by suicide through hubris.

Around 6 a.m., Axios published a puff piece declaring that the senator, who has just three years in the chamber under his belt, is “drawing buzz” as a possible running mate to Vice President JD Vance, the man broadly considered President Donald Trump’s most likely successor. The piece, which describes Schmitt as “trustworthy, intelligent, articulate and a deft political operator,” was notably written not by some autumn intern, but by Axios CEO Jim VandeHei.

Full midterm coverage.Deeper analysis.

Get unlimited access to Washington Examiner's reporting, expert analysis, and coverage of the midterm elections.

Get Unlimited Access

Cancel anytime.