Midwestern guys: Vance and Walz’s opposing views of being from the US heartland

Politicians assuming working-class roots for votes isn't new - but this year's election pits the VP picks against each other

For 30 years, Michael Bailey worked at the former Armco steel plant in Middletown, Ohio, eventually becoming president of a union that represented thousands of workers. Among them was James Vance, grandfather and sometimes stand-in father of the Republican party's current vice-presidential candidate, JD, who worked as a skilled tradesperson at the plant.

So Bailey, today a 71-year-old pastor at the Faith United church in downtown Middletown, says he's confused by claims from Donald Trump's running mate that he grew up as a poor kid" in Middletown.