The pro-worker policy wonk who wants to save the Republican Party from itself.
Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on 17 February 2024. It was republished on 18 July 2024, following Donald Trump’s announcement that Ohio Senator JD Vance would be his running mate for the 2024 election.
In Belleville, Michigan, during a visit last autumn, Joe Biden made history by becoming the first American president to join a picket line. On 26 September, as the United Auto Workers (UAW) marched, Biden donned a UAW baseball cap and addressed the striking workers with a bullhorn, declaring, “You deserve what you earned, and you’ve earned a hell of a lot more than you’re getting paid now.” This gesture was lauded in the media as a significant moment for pro-labor politics. However, many American workers, especially those in the working class, remained unimpressed by the act. Despite Biden’s symbolic support, the majority of working-class voters no longer feel aligned with the Democratic Party, as the working-class vote has increasingly shifted to Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, Oren Cass, a prominent policy wonk, is working to reshape the Republican Party with a focus on economic populism. Cass, who has been instrumental in developing the intellectual foundation for Trump’s populist agenda, is positioning JD Vance as a key ally in this ideological shift. Vance, a first-time senator from Ohio, has emerged as a leading figure in the Trump campaign, and his partnership with Trump is expected to solidify the Republican Party’s appeal to disaffected working-class voters. This alliance is centered on a platform that emphasizes pro-worker policies, a stark contrast to the more establishment-driven approaches that have dominated U.S. politics in recent years.
Cass’s work is focused on ensuring that the Republican Party appeals to the economic concerns of the working class, which has traditionally felt neglected by the political elite. His efforts are designed to strengthen the intellectual framework of Trump’s populist movement, drawing attention to issues such as industrial policy, labor rights, and the protection of American jobs. As the Republican Party moves forward with the Trump-Vance ticket, the party is embracing a new, more labor-focused narrative that seeks to address the grievances of blue-collar workers and appeal to those who feel left behind by globalization and the changing economy.
This pro-worker approach could significantly reshape the political landscape, offering an alternative to the traditional Democrat-leaning unions and their support for Biden’s administration. While Biden’s pro-labor rhetoric has been welcomed by some, it remains to be seen whether his policies will effectively resonate with the working class in the upcoming election. In contrast, the Trump-Vance partnership, underpinned by Cass’s pro-worker intellectual foundation, may offer a compelling alternative to those seeking a party that genuinely prioritizes the needs of the American worker.
