By: Donald V. Watkins
Copyrighted and Published on May 9, 2024
An Editorial Opinion
In her new book, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem bragged that she shot and killed Cricket, a 14-month-old German wirehaired pointer puppy she was training for pheasant hunting. Noem falsely claimed the puppy was “dangerous” to livestock and children and had to be put down.
Noem led Cricket to a gravel pit and shot him to death because he was "untrainable." Noem could have rehomed Cricket but instead chose to destroy him.
Noem, a right-to-life conservative Republican, included the story about killing Cricket in her book to show "MAGA World" she is willing to do anything “difficult, messy and ugly,” if it has to be done. Noem thought her willingness to kill a helpless puppy would impress the MAGA faithful. Judging from the political backlash Noem is experiencing, she was wrong.
Noem also claimed she met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. This claim is false, as well. Noem has tried to walk back the claimed meeting with Kim Jong Un without acknowledging that she lied about it.
Noem is considered a potential running mate for presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Noem, who is married, is best known in Republican circles as Trump political operative Corey Lewandowski's alleged mistress. Lewandowski is married, as well.
Considering Noem’s propensity to lie, cheat, kill puppies, and suck up to ruthless dictators, she might be the most compatible candidate to serve as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate.