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Michigan Republicans shrug off Vance Ohio ribbing – Washington Examiner

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Michigan Republicans shrug off Vance Ohio ribbing – Washington Examiner


GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance’s story of overcoming personal hardship was one of the reasons former President Donald Trump tapped him to become his running mate, with the hope people in the midwestern battleground states, including Michigan, would relate to him.

Although the 39-year-old Ohio senator’s nomination acceptance speech last week at the Republican National Convention was peppered with quips at Michigan, particularly regarding football, Michigan Republicans do not appear to mind.

“It’s all fun and games,” Jill Kindig, a Brighton, Michigan, resident, told the Washington Examiner on Saturday outside Trump’s rally in Grand Rapids, his first since last week’s assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania and Vance’s first as a vice presidential candidate.

“They have that joke all the time,” Sierra Ackerman, an Ohio resident who came to Michigan for the event, said outside Van Andel Arena downtown.

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“That’s been going on for years on top of years,” David Martinez, a Muskegon, Michigan, resident, added. “I’ve got relatives that played for Ohio State. I’ve got a granddaughter at Michigan, I’ve got a granddaughter and daughter at Michigan State. So it doesn’t matter. Come on, you know, we’re American, we’ve got to have that rivalry in football.”

Most of Vance’s banter is based on the football rivalry between the University of Michigan and the Ohio State University.

“I heard some ‘O-H’s but I’m going to respect Michigan and not respond here,” Vance told the crowd during one of his two appearances onstage. “To my Ohio brethren: Guys, we’ve got to win Michigan. That’s the most important thing this election cycle.”

Michigan’s importance to the 2024 election was underscored by aides choosing it as Vance’s first rally as the Republican vice presidential nominee. For President Joe Biden, or whoever might replace him as the Democratic presidential nominee, the so-called “blue wall” of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where last week’s convention was, will be crucial to securing 270 Electoral College votes in November. That is where polling is still within the margin of error between Biden and Trump, compared to the other battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, and even Nevada, which has not supported a Republican in a presidential election since then-President George W. Bush in 2004, where the GOP nominee is ahead. Biden’s campaign has also described the blue wall as his “clearest path” back to the White House.

Trump has a 1.7-percentage-point lead on Biden in Michigan, according to RealClearPolitics‘s aggregation of head-to-head polling, with Trump’s advantages over Biden in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin widening since their debate and Democratic calls for the president to step aside as the party’s nominee. Biden’s standing in Michigan had earlier been jeopardized by his response to the Israel–Hamas war in the Gaza Strip because of the state’s large Arab American and Muslim communities.

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David Cohen, a politics professor at the University of Akron in Ohio, reiterated that Trump had picked Vance to campaign in the Midwest, amplifying the former president’s message of economic populism and social conservatism — policy positions that helped him crack the blue wall in 2016 against then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

“Though Ohio is not a battleground state this year, Ohio’s neighbors of Michigan and Pennsylvania are — and they are perhaps the two most critical swing states in 2024,” Cohen told the Washington Examiner. “Vance’s story plays well in these places — particularly in the rural, blue-collar areas of the Midwest.

“It is interesting that he played up the Ohio-Michigan rivalry at the RNC convention,” he said. “I’d be surprised if he talked about his graduating from the Ohio State University while in Michigan — I’m pretty sure that would not go over well with the crowd.”

During his convention address, Vance joked that the Ohio delegates needed to “chill with the Ohio love here.”

“We’ve got to win Michigan too,” he said. “… We’ve had enough political violence.”

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But Vance Patrick, the Republican Party chairman in Oakland County, Michigan, who started a counter-“Let’s Go Blue” chant on behalf of the University of Michigan, dismissed the idea the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry will undermine the senator in the Great Lake State, contending that he is “absolutely” an asset in the Midwest.

“The Michigan and Ohio delegates laughed, shook hands, and hugged after the chant,” Patrick told the Washington Examiner. “This also blew up a UoM Twitter feed, again in a good, national unity way.”

For a second Michigan Republican strategist, Vance improves the foundation on which the Trump campaign can “build an even bigger stronghold in the entire region,” given Ohio’s closeness in geography and culture to Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

“Those are must-win states and, in addition to his loyalty to the former president, J.D. knows exactly how to speak to voters in those critical states,” the strategist told the Washington Examiner. “[That is] further evidenced by their choice of Michigan as the site of their first post-convention, post-nomination rally.

“Midwest voters have been suffering under relentless inflation and coastal elites don’t recognize that,” the strategist continued. “J.D. is acutely aware of that, as well as the failures of the Biden-Harris administration, such as East Palestine,” Ohio, the site of last year’s toxic train derailment, which Biden did not travel to until this March, attracting criticism from Republicans.

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Vance was raised by his grandparents in Middletown, Ohio, amid his family’s encounters with addiction and abuse before he enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school in 2003 and deployed to Iraq as a war correspondent in 2005. Vance then enrolled at Ohio State before graduating summa cum laude in two years in 2009.

Vance went on to attend Yale Law School and worked for Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Judge David Bunning, law firm Sidley Austin, and investment firms funded by the likes of AOL co-founder Steve Case and Case’s PayPal counterpart, Peter Thiel, after he graduated in 2013. He met his wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, with whom he shares three children, there when they were both students. Vance wrote the 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, which recounts his experiences.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“It’s still a little bit weird to see my name on those signs,” Vance said Saturday. “Such an honor, such an incredible honor. You think about how I grew up, and you think about nobody in my immediate family had ever gone to college, and here I am getting to represent this ticket in the great state of Michigan, getting an opportunity to earn your vote as the next vice president of the United States. What a great country this is.”

Vance’s first solo rally will be Monday in Middletown.

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Hoosiers face first real test in Ohio State; ‘Time is ticking’ for 49ers

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Hoosiers face first real test in Ohio State; ‘Time is ticking’ for 49ers


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Two of this weekend’s most-interesting football games will be broadcast over the FOX Sports airwaves. We’ve got you covered.

Up first, No. 2 Ohio State welcomes No. 5 Indiana to The Horseshoe on Saturday. Then on Sunday, Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady will guide you through the San Francisco 49ers-Green Bay Packers tilt at Lambeau Field.

You can watch ‘em both on FOX Sports and the FOX Sports app.

A second shameless plug complete.

Seriously, though, the Buckeyes-Hoosiers matchup is extremely polarizing in the betting market. Circa Sports in Las Vegas opened Ohio State -12 this past Sunday and initial money showed for the underdog. Indiana got bet down to +11 before a blitz on the favorite shoved the line out to -13.

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The line climbed as high as Ohio State -13.5 before news broke that OSU’s top offensive lineman, center Seth McLaughlin, tore his Achilles.

“I took Indiana +13.5,” a respected professional bettor told FOX Sports.

“I bet it right when word got out about Ohio State’s center. You know the books are going to move the line, so you bet it. Center is a big position for me. Changing centers this late in the season can cause some issues. And I think Indiana is a good team. I guess we’re going to find out how good.”

My FOX teammate Geoff Schwartz played offensive line at the highest level for six years, and he’s well-aware of the musical chairs in Columbus.

“It’s concerning because offensive line depth is non-existent in this sport,” Schwartz said. “When you lose a starting left tackle and center, there’s not much you can do to replace their production. They already moved the left guard to left tackle, so now you’re moving the backup guard to center. 

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“You hope that scheme and situation will remain favorable to help that group. Running the ball and staying out of high-leverage situations like third and long will be helpful. Indiana’s defensive line has good pieces, but it’s probably not good enough to render Ohio State inoperable for 60 minutes.”

Schwartz likes OSU to pull away late and win 31-14.

Colin & JMac’s Big Ten Bets: Take the over on Indiana-Ohio State, UCLA covers vs. USC

Colin & JMac's Big Ten Bets: Take the over on Indiana-Ohio State, UCLA covers vs. USC

The elephant in the room is that “InDiAnA hAsN’t PlAyEd AnYbOdY” and almost every television pundit believes Ohio State will emerge victorious. 

Come to think of it, the narrative isn’t about the Hoosiers losing, as opposed to how much they will lose by.

“Of course there are concerns about their schedule,” the bettor continued. “But you can only play who’s in front of you. They’ve taken care of business in every game. Great coach, great quarterback. Don’t get me wrong, they could lay a total egg and Ohio State could blow them out. I still took the points.” 

Over to the NFL, the reigning NFC champions have attracted a ton of betting action over the last two days. Green Bay got as high as -2.5 for Sunday’s showdown against San Francisco, then Niners resistance arrived.

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The Niners went from +2.5 to +1.5 by Thursday morning and wise guys will likely keep fighting around the 2. 

There are clearly opinions on both sides.

Can San Francisco 49ers pull off the UPSET vs. Green Bay Packers in NFL Week 12?

Can San Francisco 49ers pull off the UPSET vs. Green Bay Packers in NFL Week 12?

“We like Green Bay at a cheap price,” the bettor said.  “San Francisco has a lot of problems right now and it’s more than just the injuries. 

“This is not the Niners team from last year or the last few years. Nobody’s really lowering their power rating, though, because the pedigree is blinding. There’s always going to be someone who thinks they’ll bounce back. They’re not a top-five team to me.  

“Next week at Buffalo, they make the line [Buffalo -3.5 vs. San Francisco] and Buffalo was only 2.5 on Kansas City. So you’re telling me Kansas City and San Francisco play to almost the same rating? Stop.”

It certainly doesn’t help that Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Brock Purdy and Trent Williams are all dealing with injuries. Perhaps they could all play, but there’s a difference between playing and performing.

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“Time is ticking,” the bettor said. “If the Niners lose these next two games, the season’s over.” 

Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and BetQL Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot.

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Drake Bell unmasked on ‘The Masked Singer,’ his career, Ohio connections

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Drake Bell unmasked on ‘The Masked Singer,’ his career, Ohio connections


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Drake Bell, the former child star turned singer and actor, was featured on the hit singing competition television series “The Masked Singer” and was unmasked as the Ice King.

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Bell took the stage on “The Masked Singer” after opening up about his traumatic experiences as a child star in the documentary series “Quiet on Set.” 

What connections does Drake Bell have to Ohio? Here’s what to know.

Drake Bell performed as the Ice King on ‘The Masked Singer’

On the Nov. 20 episode, Bell competed as the Ice King on the singing competition show “The Masked Singer” for Miley Cyrus Night, according to People.

Bell had a “freeing experience” while performing on the show after opening up about the abuse he endured as a child star. Bell shared his experience of alleged sexual abuse at the hands of Brian Peck in the docuseries, “Quiet on Set.”

The series also features many former Nickelodeon staff members. They spoke out against former producer Dan Schneider, who was accused of engaging in unprofessional and inappropriate behaviors in the Nickelodeon workplace.

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Drake Bell had legal trouble in Ohio years before going on ‘The Masked Singer’

Before competing on “The Masked Singer,” Drake Bell was charged with disseminating harmful matter to juveniles and attempted child endangerment after being accused of sexual contact and grooming an underage fan in June 2021. He pleaded guilty to attempted child endangerment, the Dispatch reported.

At the time in court, the victim, who was a fan of Bell, claimed the exchanges began when she was 12. She said Bell exchanged explicit photos online and engaged in sexual conduct with her on several occasions, including at a 2017 concert venue in Cleveland and at a hotel.

Furthermore, the victim contacted Toronto police in October 2018, and they forwarded its findings to Cleveland police, prompting an investigation.

Bell claimed he was “unaware” of her age and communicated with her only through text and no physical contact, and also admitted that his interactions with the fan were “reckless and irresponsible.”

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Bell found fame on Nickelodeon, which has Ohio roots

The “Drake and Josh” actor began his career at Nickelodeon, a kids’ channel that was developed in 1977 with the help of a Columbus, Ohio-based company, Qube, the first two-way interactive cable system/remote control by Warner Cable.

Before Nickelodeon was Pinwheel, a Qube channel that aired commercial-free, kid-friendly content 12 hours a day. Pinwheel later became Nickelodeon once Qube went under in 1984.

What shows has Drake Bell performed on?

Bell began his singing and acting career as a child. He acted on Nickelodeon’s “The Amanda Show” and later “Drake & Josh,” according to IDMb.

Bell also starred in many movies, including “Yours, Mine & Ours,” “Superhero Movie,” and two “Drake & Josh” movies. 

Grace Tucker and Jenna Ryu contributed to this report.

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How can Ohio State football beat Indiana? 3 keys for top-five matchup against Hoosiers

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How can Ohio State football beat Indiana? 3 keys for top-five matchup against Hoosiers


Here are three keys for No. 2 Ohio State against No. 5 Indiana on Saturday:

Start fast

The Buckeyes have played in big games, having been in two top-five matchups over the past month and a half. The matchup is a much steeper ramp up in competition for the Hoosiers, who have not faced a ranked opponent and only one in the top half of the Big Ten standings this year. The gap in experience adds incentive for Ohio State to build an early lead and energize the crowd at the Horseshoe. It would put Indiana in an unfamiliar position, having to come from behind in a rabid environment. The Hoosiers had not even trailed in a game until this month.

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Get pressure

Kurtis Rourke, the sixth-year starting quarterback who transferred to Indiana from Ohio, is one of the most efficient passers in the Football Bowl Subdivision, especially when he is well protected. Among quarterbacks with a minimum of 100 dropbacks, only three have a higher NFL passer rating from a clean pocket, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s why the Buckeyes must find ways to disrupt him. When Michigan gave the Hoosiers a scare earlier this month, it did so by sacking Rourke four times, including three during a second half in which the Wolverines held them to 18 total yards.

Account for Mikail Kamara

Between Marshall’s Mike Green and Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the Buckeyes have seen some of the best edge rushers in the sport. Kamara fits into that group as well. One of the James Madison transfers who followed Curt Cignetti to Indiana last offseason, Kamara leads the FBS with 53 total pressures, including nine sacks, per PFF. It’s the biggest test for the Buckeyes’ reshuffled offensive line since facing Carter earlier this month. While Carter had two sacks, twice getting around left tackle Donovan Jackson, the line held up and kept quarterback Will Howard from facing too much pressure. It will need to do so again.

Key matchup

Ohio State secondary vs. Indiana receivers

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The defensive backs were a liability for the Buckeyes in their loss at Oregon last month as the Ducks’ receivers got behind them in coverage, and they have not fully quelled concerns in the following weeks. While the Hoosiers lack a burner like Tez Johnson, they have a deep collection of pass catchers. Five receivers have caught multiple touchdowns, led by Elijah Sarratt’s six scores. Rourke and Sarratt execute a high volume of back-shoulder throws that could challenge cornerbacks Denzel Burke or Davison Igbinosun who will need to keep the James Madison transfer from pulling in his share of 50-50 balls on the perimeter. The receiving corps is as good as the Buckeyes will see outside of Oregon and one of the biggest factors in Indiana’s upset bid.   

Key stat

13: Total points allowed by Indiana in the first quarter over a span of 10 games.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.

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