JD Vance has parachuted into the midterm election campaign on a rescue mission in a new guise: a risk management consultant. Speaking in the flat language of the expert hired to identify threats, weaknesses and losses affecting a business’ reputation, he has presented his executive summary for limiting vulnerabilities and a scenario for averting disaster.

“There’s a lot of good that’s been done, but there’s a lot of work left to do,” he informed his clients on 15 September about the words to use. “Give us another chance, or give us another couple of years, to continue to work on the amazing things that we’ve been doing for the past two years.” He turned the focus to harm reduction rather than total agreement and then shifted the equation to a negative binary choice. “Even if you don’t agree with us on every issue, the other party is consumed by craziness.”

His proposal for a “another chance,” however, did not acknowledge harm, express remorse or offer any pledge to change. Skipping the apology avoided admitting error, wrongdoing or enlightenment. The lack of an apology allowed Vance–and Donald Trump–to maintain a posture of unwavering strength, to demand continued fealty and to maintain their pretenses.

Vance’s strategy does double duty by firmly establishing his stake to become the prospective successor to Trump as the Republican presidential candidate in 2028. He himself embodies “another chance.” But his implicit self-characterization creates an indelible political identity that the man of many identities must carry forward through this campaign and the next.

Every vice-president seeking to become president is inevitably “another chance.” Vance carries the burden of one of the most unpopular presidents of modern times. His game plan depends upon more than calculated forgetfulness. Abject failure should be seen as “amazing” success. Explaining away Trump means never having to say you’re sorry.

Vance’s plea for “another chance,” however, has not produced the desired effect. Instead of Ma miganions aroused to march in a phalanx through Trump’s Arch of Triumph, Vance’s defensive positioning has dampened fervor while opening the door to criticism within his party. Beleaguered Republican senate candidates who had been in lockstep with Trump have suddenly started to flake off. Yet even as they edge away, they still take timid steps.

Mike Rogers in Michigan had previously argued that congressional efforts to limit Trump’s authority in the Iran War would “not be good for America” and dismissed concerns about rising fuel costs. “We’re going to be fine, we got plenty of oil,” he said. Senator Ashley Hinson in Iowa insisted that the U.S. needed to “finish the job,” voting numerous times against invoking the War Powers Resolution to force an end to U.S. involvement or curb executive authority........

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