Rubio and Vance vie for GOP spotlight ahead of 2028

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio took center stage this week, offering glimpses into their potential runs for the presidency in 2028. Their public appearances provided a rare opportunity to step out from Donald Trump's vast shadow as the Republican Party contemplates its political future.

Rubio's performance at a White House press briefing on Tuesday sparked speculation about his presidential ambitions, with social media users creating the #Rubio2028 hashtag. The secretary of state fielded questions with ease, borrowing liberally from 1990s hip-hop to characterize Iran's negotiating position and peppering his presentation with Italian and Spanish.

Meanwhile, Vance was in Iowa supporting Republican Representative Zach Nunn's reelection campaign. During a stump speech, he drew on folksy lessons from his grandparents but forgot the name of Nunn's Democratic opponent, saying, 'Help me out with her name.' This moment circulated widely on social media.

Both men are navigating complex relationships with Trump and other international figures. Rubio is set to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican to ease tensions after Trump's repeated attacks on the Catholic leader over the Iran war. Vance, meanwhile, has been torn between loyalty to Trump and his doubts about the war in Iran.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 35% of Americans have a favorable view of Vance, while 33% say the same of Rubio. As they position themselves for potential presidential runs, both men face significant challenges in building their public profiles and navigating the political landscape.