In the face of ongoing backlash over his controversial comments about "childless cat ladies," Republicans, and immigration, JD Vance, the vice presidential contender, made a case for himself and Donald Trump on Sunday. Vance addressed the criticism he has faced surrounding his remarks on traditional families and his views on nontraditional families, particularly those of Vice President Kamala Harris and fellow Democrat Pete Buttigieg.

During an interview on CNN's State of the Union, Dana Bash pressed Vance on his comments and questioned whether he viewed Harris and Buttigieg's families as legitimate. Vance emphatically responded, "Of course," and quickly shifted the focus to accusing the Harris campaign of distorting the context of his remarks. Despite Bash's attempts to press for further clarification, Vance effortlessly moved past her follow-up questions.

When asked specifically about Harris being childless, Vance again reiterated that she was not childless, asserting that her family structure was indeed legitimate. Speaking with ABC News, Vance further explained his broader remarks regarding childless Americans and the perceived stakes they have in the future of the country. He referred back to his 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson, where he claimed that the country had been turned over to individuals who lacked a direct stake in its welfare, including Harris, Buttigieg, and other Democrats he had criticized.

Addressing the controversy surrounding his immigration stance, Vance discussed Donald Trump's pledge to lead the "largest deportation operation in history" if elected president. He and Trump have advocated for the deportation of an estimated 20 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Recognizing the significant implications such an operation would have on the economy, culture, and communities, Vance was asked to elaborate on the practicalities of such a plan.

Vance responded by stating that starting with achievable goals is crucial, suggesting that focusing on deporting violent criminals and cracking down on the hiring of illegal labor would go a long way in solving the illegal immigration problem. He emphasized the need to address the issue step by step, debunking the notion that the immediate deportation of 18 million people was the only solution.

As Vance defended his positions on families and immigration, the Democratic ticket headed by Kamala Harris has seized the opportunity to attack the Republican stance on immigration. With the failure of a bipartisan border security compromise earlier this year, Democrats see a vulnerability for Republicans, particularly due to Trump's influence on their stance.

Harris, while campaigning in Arizona, assured voters that her administration would prioritize strong border security while also creating an earned pathway to citizenship if returned to the White House next year with a Democratic majority in Congress. The Democrats view immigration as a vital issue and are capitalizing on the perceived weaknesses of their opponents.

The ongoing controversies surrounding Vance's comments on families and his immigration stance underscore the deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats as they navigate the critical issues of the 2024 campaign. With both sides firmly entrenched in their respective positions, the debate over traditional and nontraditional families, as well as immigration policy, is sure to intensify as the election approaches.