In a challenging week for JD Vance, some Republicans are expressing frustration and worry over the Ohio senator's past remarks and declining favorability, coupled with the surge of Vice President Kamala Harris in the Democratic race. Vance, previously chosen as Donald Trump's running mate, has faced backlash after old clips resurfaced, where he referred to some Democrats as "childless cat ladies" and advocated for parents to have more political power than non-parents.

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro openly questioned whether Trump would have still chosen Vance if given the chance, adding to the mounting criticism from within the Republican Party. Concerns were raised about the Trump campaign's preparedness for the wave of resurfaced comments, book writings, and remarks that accompanied Vance, a recently elected senator with a strong right-leaning stance.

The lack of a national vetting process for Vance before his selection as Trump's running mate also raised eyebrows among Republicans. Bill McCoshen, a Republican strategist in Wisconsin, pointed out the risks associated with Vance's lack of national scrutiny and expressed curiosity about how he would fare under the intense spotlight of a national campaign.

Even within the Senate, there seems to be a lack of support for Vance. One anonymous House Republican lawmaker challenged anyone to find a publicly elected official in the Senate who actively supports Vance other than Mike Lee. This observation underscores the growing doubts surrounding Vance's candidacy.

As Harris gains momentum in her presidential campaign, Democrats have seized the opportunity to attack Vance, and recent polls suggest that these attacks are taking a toll on his favorability ratings. According to CNN analyst Harry Enten, Vance has a net favorability rating of negative 5 percent, lower than any previous vice presidential nominee. The New York Times/Siena College and NPR/PBS News/Marist College polls revealed that Vance's favorability is underwater by 3 percentage points in a hypothetical Harris-Trump race.

Vance's controversial comments about Harris and his affiliation with Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, have further intensified concerns among Republicans. Critics highlighted Vance's authorship of the foreword for Roberts' book, which advocates for a "second American revolution." This association clashes with Trump's efforts to distance himself from far-right leanings, leaving Republicans questioning the thoroughness of Vance's vetting process.

In the midst of this challenging week, Vance also found himself at the center of a false and ridiculing meme about his alleged intimate relations with a couch. The Associated Press even issued and retracted an article titled "No, JD Vance did not have sex with a couch," further adding to the negative attention surrounding him.

Despite these setbacks, Vance's spokesperson, Luke Schroeder, pointed to successful rallies and high-profile fundraising events as evidence of the senator's appeal. However, experts argue that the controversial messages conveyed in Vance's book, "Hillbilly Elegy," hinder his ability to expand Trump's electoral base.

While some Republicans express concern, Trump himself remains steadfast in his decision to select Vance as his running mate. Trump defended his choice, highlighting Vance's advocacy for workers and his alignment with the message of "Hillbilly Elegy" as key factors in his selection.

As the campaign progresses, Vance faces mounting challenges and must navigate the backlash from his controversial remarks and associations. The next 102 days will undoubtedly test his ability to withstand the intense scrutiny of a national campaign and win over a broader base of voters.