In his first week on the campaign trail as Donald Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance has encountered a series of hurdles and distractions. While attempting to garner attention, Vance had to contend with the shakeup atop the Democratic ticket, which saw President Joe Biden's exit and Vice President Kamala Harris' elevation as the de facto nominee.

Progressives seized on Vance's three-year-old comments about "childless cat ladies," which he extended to criticize Harris, a stepmother of two. Pundits also focused on polling data that indicated a lack of support for Vance among voters. Speculation about whether Trump regretted his choice for vice president further overshadowed Vance's campaign launch.

Left-leaning activists and internet personalities directed their criticism at Vance on social media, largely ignoring Trump in the process. Additionally, Harris's White House campaign launched a targeted attack against Vance, condemning his anti-abortion views and labeling him a "creep."

Despite the challenges, Trump continues to voice unwavering support for Vance. The former president stated that he would make the same pick and proclaimed Vance's strong performance on the campaign trail. Trump reinforced his confidence during an interview with Fox News, firmly standing by his choice of running mate.

Typically, running mate rollouts and nominating conventions offer presidential campaigns an opportunity to generate positive news coverage and gain voter support. However, a recent New York Times/Siena poll revealed that 38% of registered voters viewed Vance unfavorably, serving as a prominent setback for his campaign. In comparison, in 2016, Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential candidate at the time, received a net favorable rating in a Gallup poll.

Supporters of Vance, including Donald Trump Jr., argued that Harris also faces polling challenges. The same poll revealed that Harris had a higher unfavorable rating than Vance, with 49% of respondents expressing a negative view of her.

Some strategists within the Republican party expressed concerns about Vance's ability to navigate the intense scrutiny and demands of being a running mate. They highlighted the importance of not causing harm as the primary requirement for a successful vice presidential candidate. Others commented on the distractions created by Harris's emergence and the persistent requests to defend Vance, preventing Trump from taking a proactive offensive stance.

Despite the obstacles, Vance managed to draw large crowds at public events in his hometown and in Radford, Virginia. He also headlined successful fundraising events in Indiana and Oklahoma, with organizers expecting to raise several million dollars. Moreover, Vance's memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," experienced a resurgence in popularity, catapulting it back to the top of the bestsellers list.

Allies of Trump and Vance believe that the senator's unwavering loyalty, his dedication to defending Trump, and his popularity within the MAGA movement will ensure Trump's continued support. Vance's correct enemies, such as the mainstream media and the "woke" left, further solidify his position among Trump's base.

The most significant criticism Vance faced this week stems from comments he made in 2021, shortly after launching his Senate campaign in Ohio. Vance's remarks, which targeted the Democratic Party as being controlled by individuals without children, garnered widespread condemnation. He specifically singled out Harris, Buttigieg, and Ocasio-Cortez. Despite the backlash, Vance appeared on Tucker Carlson's Fox News program to defend his position and reiterated his remarks about "childless cat ladies."

As social media ignited with condemnation of Vance's comments once again, public figures like Jennifer Aniston and Meghan McCain voiced their disapproval. However, a Trump campaign spokesperson pushed back on McCain's criticism, emphasizing that Vance had exempted those who struggle to conceive from his remarks. Vance's sister, Lindsay Lewis, also defended him, highlighting the influence of strong women in his life and affirming that the attacks against him were baseless.

As the campaign progresses, Vance will need to address the negative attention surrounding his past remarks while focusing on gaining support among voters. The road ahead remains challenging, but with Trump's continued backing and his appeal among the MAGA movement base, Vance still has an opportunity to make an impact in the race for vice presidency.