Say No To Noem

If it has to be a woman, let Trump look elsewhere

Submitted by Dixiecrat

As speculation swirls about potential vice presidential nominees, one name that frequently appears on lists is Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota. Signs point to Trump wanting a woman or even needing a woman as a running mate. While Governor Noem has garnered attention for her conservative credentials and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are significant concerns about her suitability for the role and the potential negative consequences of her nomination.

I would much rather see Senator J.D. Vance on the ticket, but will indulge evaluations of the ladies that populate the potential VP lists. Despite her alignment with some conservative values, Governor Noem's actions and positions have drawn criticism from a right-wing perspective, raising doubts about her ability to effectively represent the Republican Party and advance its agenda in primetime under much greater pressure.

One of the primary concerns among conservative critics of Governor Noem is her perceived inconsistency on key conservative issues and hot button topics. While she may espouse conservative rhetoric, her actions have not always aligned, leading some to question her capabilities to deal with the moment we face. An absolute lay up was South Dakota’s legislation about trans individuals playing in girls’ sports. The legislature had large majorities passing it, but she vetoed it. Why? Pressure from business interests, especially the NCAA. Was the NCAA ever going to award March Madness or the College Football playoff sites to South Dakota? A little bit of pressure and she folded. She has a safe Republican state to govern and is in her final term, yet South Dakota has tried none of the innovative ideas Florida has or anti-immigration legislation other states have enacted.

Immigration is the issue of the moment, but all she offers is words. Governor Noem's record on immigration has drawn criticism from some on the right for being insufficiently tough on security and immigration enforcement. While she has voiced support for securing the border and cracking down on illegal immigration, her actions as governor have been seen by some as falling short of what is needed to address the issue effectively. She is not creating a right wing redoubt in the upper midwest.

It is a rearview mirror issue now, but she was inconsistent on COVID policies. Governor Noem's approach to governance during the pandemic has come under fire from some on the right. While she initially resisted implementing strict lockdown measures and mandates, her administration later imposed restrictions and mandates that some viewed as government overreach. This perceived inconsistency in her response to the pandemic has fueled skepticism among right-wing critics about her commitment. It is old news but fits a pattern of behavior.

We know smears will come with any campaign, so scandal is a negative. Governor Noem's personal controversies have also fueled skepticism among some on the right. Allegations of ethical lapses and conflicts of interest have tarnished her image among conservative voters, and these small items are easy to find on Wikipedia. Add in other rumors that float around, and it is a distraction when paired with a presidential candidate with enough peculiar issues. We want a boy scout (or girl scout) paired with Trump to play the straight man to the lead entertainer.

Governor Noem may have positioned herself as a conservative leader and potential vice presidential nominee, there are legitimate concerns within right-wing circles about her suitability for the role. How much of that is being a well-spoken, attractive woman? It is fair to ask since her record is ho-hum. Nothing jumps out to voters, and there is a pattern of folding under pressure when it matters. Trump can only serve one term so VP needs to have the chops to be a successor during realignment. VP matters this time, so let’s not just pick a bland product in pretty packaging.