'I just wanted to check out my future plane': JD Vance’s playful encounter with Kamala Harris on the campaign trail

Tarmac encounter adds campaign twist

In a rare moment of levity amidst the heated campaign season, Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance relished a "bit of fun" on Wednesday as he attempted to catch up with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on an airport tarmac. The two political heavyweights, crossing paths during their dueling campaign travels, found themselves sharing the same stretch of asphalt, setting the stage for an unexpected and entertaining encounter.

“I just wanted to check out my future plane,” he joked with reporters after walking off former President Donald Trump's campaign plane and walking straight over to Air Force Two, which had landed with the vice president and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

“I also wanted to go say hello to the vice president and ask her why she refuse to answer questions from the media,” Vance said, jabbing at Harris for not having conducted an extended interview or full press conference since she began her campaign July 21 after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid. “I at least have enough respect for you all and for the American people to come and talk to you and answer questions.”

Vance, a US senator from Ohio, noted that he was unable to speak with Harris. It’s not uncommon during a general election campaign for opposing candidates to encounter each other while travelling. This is especially true given the concentrated focus on a limited number of key states that will ultimately decide the winner of the Electoral College.

“I had a little bit of fun,” Vance said. “I don’t think the vice president waved at me as she drove away.”

The senator campaigned in Wisconsin on Wednesday as a counter to Harris and Walz, who are continuing a multiday tour of battleground states that began Tuesday in Philadelphia with the first joint rally after the vice president announced Walz as her running mate.

Vance, continuing his jocular jabbing, said he'd be more than willing to debate Harris on Aug. 13 “if she'd like to do a debate with me.” That was a matchup scheduled before Biden stepped down, meaning it would have put Vance and Harris on the same stage as vice presidential rivals.

(Input From AP)