Statement from Congresswoman Noem on being vetted for US Ag Secretary

Pat Powers

I missed this earlier this evening, as I had my head buried in continuing ed for my Real Estate License. From Congresswoman Noem:

“It’s an honor to be considered by President-elect Trump to join his administration. The opportunities we have to invoke genuine change under the next administration are incredible, but to realize them fully, we must have strong leaders who understand agriculture and life in rural communities throughout each branch of government. 

As we tackle tax reform, the 2018 Farm Bill, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, and regulatory relief efforts, I’m convinced the best way for me to help President Trump succeed while also producing the greatest impact for South Dakota is to serve out my two-year term in the House of Representatives.  I’m excited about the work we will be doing alongside the Trump administration and wholeheartedly look forward to implementing policies that secure the American Dream for all.”

42 thoughts on “Statement from Congresswoman Noem on being vetted for US Ag Secretary”

    1. I’m guessing that’s why she declined the meeting. If she had gone to meet and he offered the job she would feel compelled to accept.

      I don’t blame her. This job would require her to move to DC and she’s been clear that she has no desire to do that.

        1. Yeah, he wanted to run for Congress this year. He’s probably chomping at the bit to run in 2018. If Trump decides to reward loyalty (and still has decent approval in SD) that could be huge for Neal.

          1. Trump will not endorse house candidates. Especially not someone that he has never met. There are 435 house seats and who knows how many in a primary.

            Anyone who runs would be inclined to work with Trump. If he endorses and that person doesn’t win he alienates someone who would have been more supportive. Plus no one knows who Tapio is except that he worked for Pressler.

      2. Pretty sure Trump has no idea who Tapio is. It’s also clear that Tapio has no influence with Trump if he’s considering Noem for Ag Secretary. Tapio tells anyone who will listen to him how much he hates Noem.

        1. I think he hates anyone who is in the way of his ambition.

          Honestly he might be the very reason Trump considered her. He wants the House seat and could have it sooner if she moves the Administration.

    1. Don’t worry, Trump has learned his lesson and will appoint only old white guys to the bench, because a judge’s demographic background never influences his decisions. It’s good to know diversity on the bench is irrelevant now.

      1. This is the same as accusing a guy born in America of being unable to rule on a case before him because of his Mexican heritage. Solid analogy, Anne. You really thought this through.

  4. I know a lot of people will parse the statement and say there’s other motivation, and there likely is, but she is absolutely right that we need to people who understand rural America and ag in every branch of government. It’s pretty clear that Noem is one of the leading voices on ag in the House and if you took her out now that would make it even harder to pass good ag policies.

    Here’s to hoping that we find someone with a strong ag background to replace her in 2018

  5. Who do you think made ag decisions in Pierre? It wasn’t Lucas. I suspect Noem has seen it is no different in DC and she’s staying where she’s most influential for the next two years.

    1. We will see how influential she is when trump guts ethanol in the farm bill. Then she might have to defend her decision to not even meet with trump.

        1. Look at his picks. There is a reason three governors sent him a letter to support bio fuels and the RFS. The house will want it gone too.

    2. No. That would prove it was all about not wanting to face a tough primary against Noem, instead of his stated reason of not wanting to be away from his family. I take Mark at his word for his reasoning.

  8. It’s pretty foolish to not even meet with the next president to discuss ethanol and the farm bill from SD’s perspective. If she cares about Ag then she had a platform for a one on one with the next president.

    Poet and the Ag industry should be upset that she said no to a meeting with the most powerful person in the world.

    1. I’d be shocked if he got involved in the SD Gov race. But you never know with Trump

      Also, I haven’t seen Jackley do anything to get on his good graces

    2. It is a snub. Pure and simple. You take the meeting. Small town small minded to not go when asked. Does she think a press release about working with the president will help. Politics is personal. It’s not about you either Ms. Noem.

  11. “Men naturally despise those who court them, but respect those who do not give way to them.” – Thucydides

  12. Where in her statement does it say that she’s not going to, or already hasn’t met with Trump? In just a few comments, we’ve moved from her turning down the job, to turning down the meeting.

    If she actually turned down the job, it means she’s already met with him. or, even though she’s saying publicly that she doesn’t want the job, it doesn’t mean she won’t still have the meeting. If she states that up front, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to Trump if she says no. Much better way of handling it for future considerations.

    Either way, it’s a nice honor for her to even be in the conversation. She’s made it clear that she has no intention of moving her family to DC. I’m sure that was a huge factor if she, in fact, turned down the offer.

  13. Rick Perry chosen as Secretary of the Department of Energy? Congresswoman Noem vetted for Secretary of Agriculture? This new administration is an amazingly absurd sideshow.

    1. Norms stock went up in value in my book. She had the courage to stand up for Trump a few weeks ago when it seemed politically correct to throw him under the bus, and now that he’s the president elect and everyone else now is pandering to him, she has the courage to decline a chance at a position other would kill for , because she feels she can serve SD better where she’s at. Rare quality in the world of politics.

      1. Better to serve SD, or better to serve Kristi? Why is the governor of Iowa heading to China? When called and asked to serve people may think beyond themselves and serve. I’m no trumpian but if he asked someone from this state to serve as the head of the department of Ag, what could be better for this state, this Ag dominated state, then to take a run at it.

        1. Why is it so hard to fathom that she assessed her options and decided that she has a better opportunity to make on positive impact for SD by serving 2 more years in the House and then as Governor?

          Branstad has been governor of IA for like 20 of the last 30 years and is going into the last 2 years of his term. Plus by leaving he gives his preferred successor a leg up on the 2018 race. Very different position than the one Kristi is in.

  14. If Noem is really interested in serving the agricultural interests of South Dakota, I see no way that she could have more power to help than as Sec of Ag. I hope she does consider it and puts South Dakota’s interests on the national scale.

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