Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) posted a farewell message on social media Saturday for his 49-year-old [1] vacuum cleaner named Beth.
The gesture highlights the senator's public image of frugality and longevity, traits often associated with his long tenure in public office.
Grassley shared the eulogy on Saturday, Aug. 8 [2], after the vacuum cleaner began producing electrical sparks. The machine had served as a cleaning companion for the senator's family for nearly five decades [1].
"GOOD BYE BETH. U hv been a real workhorse," Grassley said [1].
The senator, who is 92 years old [1], used the posts to notify his followers that the appliance would no longer be in use. He noted that the machine had reached the end of its functional life due to the electrical issues.
"U will see Beth no longer in action," Grassley said [4].
While the vacuum's retirement was prompted by safety concerns, the senator expressed personal sentiment regarding the loss of the appliance. He has a history of maintaining items for long periods, mirroring his own endurance in the U.S. Senate.
"I will miss you," Grassley said [3].
“"GOOD BYE BETH. U hv been a real workhorse."”
The public mourning of a household appliance serves as a branding tool for Sen. Grassley, reinforcing a persona of Midwestern pragmatism and waste-reduction. By highlighting the 49-year lifespan of a vacuum, the senator aligns himself with a voter base that values durability and fiscal conservatism over modern consumerist cycles of frequent replacement.
