How J. D. Vance Can Make It through His Trial by Fire

J. D.Vance is undergoing the trial by fire that all newly prominent Republicans suffer. He will probably get through this, but he should learn from the mistakes and successes of his predecessors.

Sarah Palin is the best modern example of how to self-destruct under pressure. The then-obscure first-term Alaska governor flew out of the political gates with a dynamite convention speech. This propelled the McCain-Palin ticket into the lead for the first time in months. It looked like a new star was born.

We know what happened next. Democrats and elements of the...