The governor received immediate backlash and harsh criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, but she chose not to ignore, retract, or apologize. Instead, Noem has been openly addressing the issue repeatedly for several days.
The fact that this story was mentioned and then struck a nerve shows what people think about candidates like Noem and the kind of news they read.
Americans have a deep love for dogs, regardless of their political affiliation or gender. It is evident that there is a strong negative reaction towards anyone who openly admits to mistreating a dog. Governor Noem put this to the test and faced serious backlash and consequences for her actions. However, she remained defiant despite the public’s disapproval.
The media isn’t giving Noem a pass because she won’t stop talking about it
In her new book, titled “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong With Politics and How We Move America Forward,” Noem reveals her strong dislike for Cricket, confessing that she “hated” the dog. She admits to putting him down after realizing that he was “untrainable,” “dangerous,” and a hunting dog of little value.
Noem’s team reportedly urged her to omit the story of the dog’s demise from her initial book. However, she chose to include it in her latest work. In recent interviews, Noem has been repeatedly questioned about the incident and has responded by providing detailed explanations. She emphasizes that she made the difficult decision based on concerns for her children’s safety and asserts her role as a vigilant and resilient parent.
The governor remained steadfast in her stance, emphasizing the need for the president to be held accountable. However, she expressed frustration at being interrupted during the interview, suggesting a possible liberal conspiracy. Disappointingly, even conservative news sources have not overlooked or excused the governor’s actions.
“Stuart, I’ve had enough. This interview is getting ridiculous, and you need to stop,” Noem firmly stated. “Let’s shift our focus to real topics that truly matter to the American people.”
The media often receives criticism for creating a circus, but in this particular scenario, they simply recognized a captivating story and took advantage of it. Despite Governor Noem’s determined efforts, she consistently finds herself in the midst of controversy, fearlessly embracing the challenges she faces, even if it means inadvertently harming her own reputation. Excuse the pun.
The dance continues as both parties are still engaged. The news media is not ready to move on, and neither is she. Her response is peculiar, revealing, and reminiscent of Trump. It’s a situation we’d rather avoid.
Noem thinks defending the murder of a dog is the bravado voters want
Noem’s decision to include the story about killing her dog seems unnecessary and raises questions as to why she would write it down and choose to keep it, despite receiving advice to the contrary.
Just like many politicians, she is known for being strategic and calculated in her actions. She has a dedicated public relations team that helps shape her image and messaging. (Full disclosure: I was approached by one of her team members to write her book about South Dakota for 2021, although ultimately they decided to go with other writers.)
Noem appeared to hold the belief that the MAGA GOP desires a vice president who is both vulnerable yet tough, and possesses both beauty and grit, to stand alongside Trump.
Noem’s attempt to gain respect, votes, or likeability by emulating a blend of Bush and Trump falls short. Her efforts come across as forced and contrived, rather than genuine.
Who are you, really? It is understandable to put a puppy down for humane reasons, but it is completely inappropriate to do so and then boast about it in a crude and harsh manner. Noem appeared to be unaware of where that line was, and now appears to be unconcerned about it.
Why are Republicans paying attention to MTG?: If Marjorie Taylor Greene represents the future of the Republican Party, count me out.
Doubling down on bad news may seem like the best approach, as it is believed to effectively put an end to the story and leave it with no further avenues to explore.
Lately, it appears that she lacks good judgment or struggles to acknowledge her mistakes. It’s commendable to stand by one’s beliefs, but what if those beliefs are simply repugnant, inhumane, or downright peculiar? Arrogant individuals are generally disliked, except, of course, by the millions of MAGA voters.
Noem is correct in stating that this story has both significant and insignificant aspects. The relevance of this story intensified when she was being considered for the Vice President position and as Trump’s chances of winning the election were increasing. Without her involvement in that conversation, the importance of this story might not have been as pronounced.
Do Americans prefer to skim superficial news rather than digest vital news?
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The current state of the world is filled with heaviness and darkness. In such times, it can be tempting to divert our attention towards a peculiar and tragic story about a Republican who has a passion for horse riding and aspires to become a Vice President, but also made headlines for the shocking act of euthanizing her puppy due to its inability to be trained. This story, though superficial, may seem easier to process than the distressing reality of rising antisemitism in American schools.
We can all agree on our disdain for a story about killing dogs. It’s a topic that elicits strong emotions and we all have a clear stance on it. While there may be other important matters to address, it’s hard not to feel annoyed, and perhaps even outraged, when the Republican Party presented her as a suitable candidate for the Vice President position.
The story of Noem resonated with many people because, for once, we found common ground. It’s not something to boast about, considering there are more pressing issues in the world.
Nicole Russell, a columnist for USA TODAY, resides in Texas with her four children.