So, let's dive in with Dana Bash and her chat with Gov. Kristi Noem (R-Yeah, I Gave Trump a Mini-Rushmore with His Face on it - So What?). Noem's been making the rounds quite a bit lately - I think this is her third classroom appearance in the past couple of weeks.
The governor is known for saying that she's going to "walk alongside mothers and their children" now that Roe's been tossed. Bash wondered if that specifically included providing benefits for these folks, specifically paid family leave and child care. It took a few tries, but when Bash pressed her on using her bully pulpit to get paid leave done, Noem finally said, "...I think, in South Dakota, that the time is right." No word on state-sponsored child care.
They also discussed the horrific situation of the ten-year-old Ohio girl who, at six weeks and three days pregnant, can't get an abortion in her state, and must travel to Indiana to get one. Bash wondered if South Dakota would force a child similarly situated to have the baby, given there's no rape or incest exception under their anti-abortion law.
Noem initially deflected by trying to focus on the man who raped the 10-year-old, and "what are we doing about that?" Well, as everyone knows, there are all kinds of laws on the books about that, and it has nothing to do with the topic. Bash tried again, eventually asking if Noem would work to change the law.
It breaks my heart. I'm a mother. I'm a grandmother. Got a 1-year-old little granddaughter named Ms. Addie. I can't even imagine. What I would say is, I don't believe a tragic situation should be perpetuated by another tragedy. And so, there's more that we have got to do to make sure that we really are living a life that says every life is precious, especially innocent lives that have been shattered, like that 10-year-old girl.
She didn't provide any specifics on what more than can do for her in South Dakota, other than declare that her life is in danger and allow her to have an abortion. Bash tried that approach, asking if Noem would "consider that the life of a mother at risk?"
And I think that's something that -- yes, that situation, the doctor, the family, the individuals closest to that will make the decisions there for that family. That's what's interesting about the time we live in right now, is every state will have different laws on the books. The decisions will be made by the legislators that are closest to the people. That's appropriate. It's the way our Constitution intended.
It's important to note that, right before they talked about the 10-year-old, Noem said this about the trigger law in her state.
Now that that's the law, then we have to look at what we need to do to address who in those situations, if they do break the law, is punished. And that's the doctors, not the women. I want to make sure that that's appropriate and that the women are not punished in this situation, and that we do support them as we go forward.
Is it me, or is she suggesting that if a situation like this occurred in her state, after leaving it up to "the doctor, the family, the individuals closest to that will make the decision there for the family," and abortion was the best option, she'd arrest the doctor?
Moving to Cassidy Hutchinson's testimony before the January 6th Committee, Bash asked if the part about Trump knowing his supporters were armed was alarming. Noem's 'alarm' came from how the hearings are being done.
This is not at all like the hearings that were conducted when I was a member of Congress. This was a one-sided conversation with one set of witnesses that are reporting hearsay in many situations, not facts. So, it's difficult to really believe everything that she has said. She says that she's telling the truth, but much of it was hearsay, and much of it other people have refuted now. So, there's an agenda behind this hearing.
When Bash explained the clip she played was firsthand, not hearsay, Noem doubled down.
But her credibility was -- her credibility was damaged when she talked about hearsay, and then other people, that that -- that she referenced said that it absolutely wasn't true. And that's what's difficult about these hearings. It feels to be more of a show and more of an agenda than an actual true, objective hearing that's uncovering facts.
Bash pointed out that no one's gone under oath to dispute Hutchinson's testimony, and then she asked if Noem if the believed that Trump bears any responsibility for what happened.
I think January 6 was a horrific day in our history. I never want to see that happen again. I think, moving forward, that we have got to have a time in our country where we all start talking to each other again, where we start having conversations, we get much better policy. I talk about this in my book, Dana, where I talked about the fact that we have become a country so offended by each other that we quit talking to each other. And it's hurting public debate that we have to have different perspectives around the table to have an open conversation. And we will end up with much better policy, better laws if we can take the emotion and the anger and the bitterness out of our conversation, and really talk about what is best for our country and where we can agree and move forward.
So, again, a non-answer, which Bash pointed out; here's Noem's follow-up.
I think we all need to examine this country and where we're going. And I'm hopeful that people will look to our state. Our state has done incredible things. I think the country is desperate for some hope right now. The best weekend to focus on that is this weekend, where we celebrate our freedoms, our independence, and really look forward with an optimistic attitude. I think we have got a bright future ahead of us as long, as we continue to represent our people.
Good lord, she's almost as good as Mike Pence was at not answering questions; she just needs to up the word count.
But if you want an answer to the question whether Trump bears any responsibility for what happened on January 6th, here it is: Noem said she'd vote for Trump if he runs again.
Happy July "Buy A Mattress" Weekend, to all who celebrate.
See you around campus.
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