Joni Ernst, the newly elected senator from Iowa, will give the Republican response to the president’s State of the Union address tonight, and the long knives of the media are already out.
Of course, they recalled the anemic responses made by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Sen. Marco Rubio, while failing to mention last year’s impressive performance by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the most senior GOP woman in House leadership.
Politico published this unflattering wide-eyed photo of Sen. Joni Ernst with its coverage of her selection to give the Republican response to the State of the Union address. (benbaker for politico)
Newsweek did a number on Rep. Michele Bachmann with this wide-eyed cover shot in 2011. (villagevoice.com)
While most of the media published flattering pictures of Ernst in their coverage, Politico, the publication that promises to deliver nonpartisan news, fast, fair and first, chose to use a tight close-up featuring a wide-eyed Ernst. It reminded me of the unflattering cover photo Newsweek published of Rep. Michele Bachmann in 2011 accompanying its piece, Queen of Rage.
Ernst’s win in Iowa was impressive. Not only did she beat her Democrat opponent by nine points, she became the state’s first new senator in 30 years, a seat held by the Tom Harkin. It was Hillary Clinton, who said of Ernst’s run, just being a woman wasn’t enough. But what does Clinton have to show for credentials beyond a title and being an enabler for her husband.
Ernst attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard after 21 years of Army Reserve and National Guard service that included a 14-month stint in Kuwait during Iraqi Freedom. An ideal pick to serve on the Armed Services Committee, she will also serve on Agriculture (naturally), Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees.
I expect Senator Ernst will deliver the GOP response with the poise we have come to expect from her. (examiner.com)
The beltway and eastern media do not understand people from flyover country, so when Ernst says, “It’s a long way from Red Oak to Washington D.C.,” and speaks about the “Iowa Way,” it’s all lost on them.
Ernst won’t have the time to dissect the president’s address, or the benefit of Congressional applause as she delivers the GOP response, but I’m betting she will surprise a number of people. I expect her to destroy the myth that the GOP is at war with women.
