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'Historically unpopular' JD Vance deploying new strategy to duck tough questions: report

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'Historically unpopular' JD Vance deploying new strategy to duck tough questions: report

After a string of blunders, misrepresentations and outright fabrications that have dogged embattled vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance on the campaign as Donald Trump’s running mate, the Ohio Republican is deploying his MAGA fans to run interference for him when confronted with reporters’ questions.

According to a report from Politico’s Adam Wren, there has been a noticeable change at “historically unpopular” Vance’s sparsely-attended rallies where the candidate picks out a reporter to ask him a question and then the pro-Vance crowd surrounding him proceeds to boo and drown out his inquisitor.

Case in point, Wren wrote, “Inside an open-air barn at the Northwest Michigan Fairgrounds, Vance, who favors questions from local reporters before national ones at his events, called on the Traverse City Record-Eagle reporter, who identified himself as the ‘hometown’ scribe. Before he even got his question out — a relatively anodyne one about housing costs — the reporter endured a hail of boos as the Republican vice presidential nominee smiled” and then commented, “You’re allowed to ask your question; they’re allowed to tell you how they think about it. That’s OK. This is America.”

ALSO READ: ‘I want Vance to apologize’: We went to Springfield and found community hurt — and divided

According to the reporter in that instance, 65-year-old Peter Kobs, Vance has his own Greek chorus doing his bidding.

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“The Greek chorus is there to amplify and, you know, put emotion in it. But hating the media is a juvenile approach to politics,” he stated.

According to Jeff Timmer of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, Vance is insulating himself after a series of mistakes and awkward encounters – such as a disastrous visit to a donut shop that went viral — in front of the press.

“He was so bad without a supporting cast, they had to kind of wrap him in this bubble wrap. That’s what the people backing him there are doing. It’s bubble wrap to protect them from smashing his head,” he colorfully explained.

According to Robert Schwartz, a “Haley Voters for Harris” Republican, Vance’s latest tactic “feels a little hostile.”

“I would say it’s important for the candidates to be able to answer questions. So I think that’s a good thing. But using our independent media as a prop to get boo lines? Most Americans rely on the media to ask these questions,” he suggested.

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Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

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Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

new video loaded: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

The first battle of the midterm elections will be the U.S. Senate primary in Texas. Our Texas bureau chief, David Goodman, explains why Democrats and Republicans across the U.S. are watching closely to see what happens in the state.

By J. David Goodman, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, June Kim and Luke Piotrowski

March 1, 2026

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Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say

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Mass shooting at Austin, Texas bar leaves at least 3 dead, 14 wounded, authorities say

Gunfire rang out at a bar in Austin, Texas, early Sunday and at least three people were killed, the city’s police chief said.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told reporters the shooter was killed by officers at the scene. 

Fourteen others were hospitalized and three were in critical condition, Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said.

“We received a call at 1:39 a.m. and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients,” Luckritz said.

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There was no initial word on the shooter’s identity or motive.

An Austin police officer guards the scene on West 6th Street at West Avenue after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Austin, Texas.

Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP


Davis noted how fortunate it was that there was a heavy police presence in Austin’s entertainment district at the time, enabling officers to respond quickly as bars were closing.

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“Officers immediately transitioned … and were faced with the individual with a gun,” Davis said. “Three of our officers returned fire, killing the suspect.”

She called the shooting a “tragic, tragic” incident.

Texas Bar Shooting

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis provides a briefing after a shooting on Sunday, March 1, 2026, near West Sixth Street and Nueces in downtown Austin, Texas.

Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP


Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said his heart goes out to the victims, and he praised the swift response of first responders.

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“They definitely saved lives,” he said.

Davis said federal law enforcement is aiding the investigation.

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A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR

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A long-buried recording and the Supreme Court of old (CT+) : Consider This from NPR
Recently, movie critic Bob Mondello brought us a story about how he found a 63-year-old recording of his father arguing a case before the Supreme Court. The next day, he bumped into Nina Totenberg, NPR’s legal affairs correspondent, in the newsroom. They were talking so animatedly that we ushered them into a studio to continue the conversation.To unlock this and other bonus content — and listen to every episode sponsor-free — sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org. Regular episodes haven’t changed and remain available every weekday.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
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