South Dakota's Governor Kristi Noem, famous for her role in the Republican Party and speculations of a vice-presidential candidacy, has suffered a great deal of reputation loss in the wake of the news that has surfaced about her past.
It all began when The Guardian revealed details from Noem's upcoming book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward." In the book, Noem candidly discusses a distressing incident involving the shooting of a hunting dog named Cricket and an uncastrated goat on her farm.
According to the account in her book, Noem felt compelled to take drastic action against Cricket, who allegedly disrupted a pheasant hunt and killed a neighbor's chickens. This led her to shoot the 14-month-old wire-haired pointer in a gravel pit. She also recounted shooting a goat, which she deemed unsuitable for her farm due to its odor and behavior.
The revelation sparked outrage among the public, with many expressing strong disapproval of Noem's actions. A poll conducted by New River Strategies, a Democratic firm, revealed that a staggering 81% of Americans disapproved of her decision to shoot Cricket. Furthermore, how Noem recounted the events in her book was met with widespread disbelief and condemnation.
The poll findings also highlighted a significant decline in Noem's favorability among Republicans, particularly those who expressed fondness for dogs. Despite efforts to downplay the issue, Noem's reputation took a notable hit, reflected in her declining ranking among potential running mates for Trump.
According to a survey, only 22% of Americans who voted for Donald Trump in 2020 believed that the governor would be a suitable vice-presidential candidate, while 39% disagreed. Additionally, 86% of these voters expressed affection for dogs.
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Experts and commentators discussed the situation, with some saying that Noem's chances of becoming Trump's vice-presidential pick have greatly decreased. Even conservative figures like Meghan McCain were upset about Noem's actions, highlighting the political consequences.
In response to the backlash, Noem defended her actions, stating that tough decisions are a reality of farm life. In a social media post published on Sunday, Noem acknowledged the controversy but defended her decision to include the story in her book. She explained that South Dakota law permits putting down dogs that attack and kill livestock, citing Cricket's aggressive behavior towards people as justification for her actions.
Despite acknowledging the unpleasantness of the situation, Noem stood by her decision, emphasizing the honesty and transparency of her memoir, "No Going Back," which recounts various positive and negative experiences from her life.
Meanwhile, public figures who endorsed Noem's book were embroiled in the controversy. While some refrained from commenting, others faced questions about their support for Noem in light of the revelations.
At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February, Noem was the frontrunner in a poll on Trump's possible vice president pick. Attendees, largely Trump supporters, participated in a straw poll to determine potential vice presidential candidates for the November election.
Five of the top six candidates addressed the CPAC audience during the event, using the platform as an unofficial audition for the vice-presidential role. Governor Noem emphasized her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, proudly stating that she was the sole governor who refrained from closing any businesses. She also highlighted her early endorsement of Trump's 2024 campaign, indirectly criticizing potential vice-presidential competitors who had previously run against him.
The New River Strategies poll showed that Noem's favorability among Republicans has since decreased following the revelation from her book. Even among the most conservative voters, Noem has little support as vice president. Only 28% of self-identified very conservative voters viewed her as a suitable choice, while 32% disagreed. Similarly, among somewhat conservative voters, only 20% considered her a good choice, with 47% expressing opposition.
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