"Give us another chance - The Legend of "Beggar Vance"

First published in the Brunswick Beacon, 10.01.26

Vance’s iconic plea about November’s election led Trump’s former Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews to say, “Republicans have had complete government control for the last two years. Now Vance is literally begging, saying, ‘we know everything is a disaster, just give us two more years!’”

What was Vance thinking when he asked for a do-over?

Was it, “We promised to bring down prices on Day One and campaigned on affordability, only to call it a ‘hoax’ after we drove inflation higher and delivered the highest August gas prices ever, but… give us another chance!”

Was it, “We promised America would be ‘respected again all over the world.’ But Canadians are our best friends: the film “Argo” tells how they rescued six Americans during the 1979 Iranian Revolution; the film “Diverted” tells how they sheltered 7,000 Americans stranded on 9/11; 166 Canadians died for us in Afghanistan. Still, we insulted, threatened and punished them with tariffs after we reneged on two trade agreements, including one Trump himself negotiated. We routinely treat Russia, China and North Korea better than our closest friends, who no longer trust us, but… give us another chance!”

Was it, “We promised ‘no wars’, only to let Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu talk us into starting a war with Iran that has killed 22 Americans, depleted our munitions, and given Iran control of the Strait of Hormuz and their Houthi allies control of the Red Sea. I told Trump it was ‘a bad idea.’ CIA director Ratcliffe told Trump Netanyahu’s claim that Iranians would overthrow their own government was ‘farcical.’ Trump said it would be over in ‘four to five weeks’ and it's been seven months with no end in sight, but… give us another chance!”

Whatever Vance was thinking, Matthews was right — she said it would be “crazy” to reward Republicans “who have broken nearly every campaign promise” with “another two years of unchecked power to keep breaking them.”

Kristine Garrity 

Calabash