Ashley Davis
Role at the time: Republican strategist; former George W. Bush White House official
Defended or excused
Statement summary
Republican strategist Ashley Davis answered "Yes" when Jake Tapper said Vance's line "does sound a bit racist," then turned to praising Vance as "a good speaker" who "set himself up for clearing the field potentially" and "riled the base almost as Trump." She did not otherwise address the "dirtier" remark.
“Yes. But here's what I have to say about, and I've just seen clips of his speech, I didn't watch the whole thing. He was a good speaker, and I think that he set himself up for clearing the field potentially. ... But he riled the base almost as Trump -- as good as Trump.”
Read the original text (opens in a new tab)CNN transcript, The Lead with Jake Tapper, September 11, 2026: "Trump Urges Supporters To Cheat Like Hell In Midterms" · CNNAired September 11, 2026, 6 to 7 p.m. ET; Politics Lead panel between the [18:35:00] and [18:40:00] markers, beginning when Tapper plays Vance's "dirtier" clip. Davis answers first, then Trent.
Why we used this label
Davis defends Vance's overall performance and political strategy rather than criticizing the remark, an excusing/defending position relative to the case's scrutiny of the remark.