Conservative commentator Scott Jennings is challenging Vice President JD Vance’s defense of a controversial Republican ad in Ohio’s governor’s race, saying critics inside the party are issuing a warning, not whining, the Daily Beast reported.
The spot, from Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign, has Democrat Amy Acton’s estranged mother, Donna Arthur, calling her a “liar.” Acton was taken from her mother’s custody in 1978 following accusations that her stepfather raped her, and her mother remained with him. The campaign has put roughly $4 million behind the ad.
Speaking in Ohio on Wednesday, Vance said he was “a little bit disgusted” that some Republicans were complaining about the ad more than about what Democrats want to do.
Jennings, normally such a faithful defender of Trump and his inner circle that he was considered for White House press secretary, disagreed on CNN’s NewsNight. He said Republicans in Ohio who object aren’t “whining” but are worried the ad is both indefensible and bad strategy.
“That’s not whining. That’s warning,” Jennings said.
He said it’s unwise to “take shots” at Republicans offering opinions in a state on a “knife’s edge,” and predicted the ad could hurt the campaign.
“It’s gonna blow up in their face,” Jennings said.
Once a campaign makes a decision, he added, “now you own it” and voters will want answers. A Fox News poll this week showed Acton ahead by 2 points.