SO, J.D. VANCE. I had told Helen that I thought the assassination attempt would boost his chances. With Trump feeling — literally — the wind of mortality on his neck, he’s going to want a backup who’ll carry the MAGA flame, not some milquetoast who might “balance the ticket” but who wouldn’t be worth it if he/she stepped into Trump’s shoes. Plus at best Trump can only serve one term; he wants someone who might follow him in office and carry the MAGA vision forward.

I’m skeptical that VP candidates make that big a difference, but I think it means something that Vance will add non-geriatric balance to the ballot this time around.

I should say that I’ve known Vance for a while, to a small degree. Back when he was a literary celebrity, not a political one, he passed through Knoxville a couple of times and we had drinks and lunch, once with his family. I quite like him and think he’s sincerely motivated to make things better. I’ve only heard from him a couple of times since he became a Senator, but to his credit neither involved him asking me for money, which is an accomplishment for a Senator . . .