Hegseth's nomination is the chance for Iowa senator, an abuse survivor, to show she won't cave to political pressure by voting to confirm an alleged abuser
Thank you Rekha, for so thoroughly covering Iowa Senators’ responses. Sen. Ernst has worked to improve sexual assault responses in the military. We all need to call on her to uphold the trust we’ve placed in her work.
Wonderful article! Thank you. The hypocrisy is stunning. If Hegseth were a Democrat, Ernst would be shouting her opposition from the rafters. They all would.
On Ernst. Thank you for the story. Your writing was superior to other national analyses, such as WAPO, CNN others. One of your readers asked why elected officials change positions, as Ernst appears to be doing. From my experience as 'one' and working with 'them', elected officials automatically receive an "infusion" of ambition upon entering office. It is akin to a transfusion that flows through their body and soul and becomes constant pressure to sustain their political survival. Over time, principles too often risk dilution, replaced by expedient self-preservation. Constituents can help provide the backbone to stand up to Trump through support in media, campaigns, and direct communications with officials.
Joni and a handful of other women such as Kristi Noem and Kim Reynolds were plucked from obscurity to serve the interests of wealthy and powerful right wingers such as the Koch’s. These women are now used to the comfortable life of priviledge and deference, but it is all based on on their doing as they are told from a carefully crafted script or they will be replaced. I’m sure the idea of returning to life in Red Oak, Iowa fills Joni with dread. Expect nothing from her. If Charles Grassley had an life or guts left in him he would cover for her but he has become a foolish old man serving the vested MAGA interests of the Republican Party like a sad little boy.
So well done. This is a big, broad subject, spanning all of our lifetimes and before. Your detail of positions taken by Joni Ernst, and Chuck Grassley, and even President Biden paint such a clear, concise picture of what Joni Ernst needs to do if she has the courage of (what she says are) her convictions. If she can’t stand up to the intimidations, she doesn’t belong in the Senate.
These are fraught times. We are so lucky to have your voice.
I have absolutely no doubt that Ernst will cave and vote for Hegseth. The Senate was meant to be an independent branch, but largely are intimidated by trump. It’s a sad state of affairs, and frankly, foretells of an authoritarian government. I hope I’m wrong
Thank you for your always excellent columns. This one said everything that needed to be said about Joni Ernest. But, I had no doubt she would cave and support Hegseth. The minute I found out she & Reynolds headed down to Mar-a-lago to celebrate with Trump & skip GOP celebrations here, election night, I knew they were cozing up to Trump. There was no way she was going to cross him at all. She knew her political career was at stake and she is not a woman of her word, nor is she brave in politics. She says what she thinks people want to hear. Her follow through will never be there. She is an embarrassment to women in Iowa, and women in the military.
Thank you Linda. One would have hoped her own life experiences would have made her more sensitive to other women's victimization and the need to address and stop it, but she always seems to cave to political winds. Sadly, that last part is true of all of Iowa's elected officials in D.C.
Thank you Rekha, for so thoroughly covering Iowa Senators’ responses. Sen. Ernst has worked to improve sexual assault responses in the military. We all need to call on her to uphold the trust we’ve placed in her work.
Wonderful article! Thank you. The hypocrisy is stunning. If Hegseth were a Democrat, Ernst would be shouting her opposition from the rafters. They all would.
Upholding the patriarchy benefits Ernst more than upholding her principles.
On Ernst. Thank you for the story. Your writing was superior to other national analyses, such as WAPO, CNN others. One of your readers asked why elected officials change positions, as Ernst appears to be doing. From my experience as 'one' and working with 'them', elected officials automatically receive an "infusion" of ambition upon entering office. It is akin to a transfusion that flows through their body and soul and becomes constant pressure to sustain their political survival. Over time, principles too often risk dilution, replaced by expedient self-preservation. Constituents can help provide the backbone to stand up to Trump through support in media, campaigns, and direct communications with officials.
Ernest will “cave in” as will Susan Collins. Just like they did on Kavanaugh.
Joni and a handful of other women such as Kristi Noem and Kim Reynolds were plucked from obscurity to serve the interests of wealthy and powerful right wingers such as the Koch’s. These women are now used to the comfortable life of priviledge and deference, but it is all based on on their doing as they are told from a carefully crafted script or they will be replaced. I’m sure the idea of returning to life in Red Oak, Iowa fills Joni with dread. Expect nothing from her. If Charles Grassley had an life or guts left in him he would cover for her but he has become a foolish old man serving the vested MAGA interests of the Republican Party like a sad little boy.
So well done. This is a big, broad subject, spanning all of our lifetimes and before. Your detail of positions taken by Joni Ernst, and Chuck Grassley, and even President Biden paint such a clear, concise picture of what Joni Ernst needs to do if she has the courage of (what she says are) her convictions. If she can’t stand up to the intimidations, she doesn’t belong in the Senate.
These are fraught times. We are so lucky to have your voice.
A tour de force column, Rekha! You are in a zone of surpassing journalism excellence now. Keep hitting send on these columns.
I have absolutely no doubt that Ernst will cave and vote for Hegseth. The Senate was meant to be an independent branch, but largely are intimidated by trump. It’s a sad state of affairs, and frankly, foretells of an authoritarian government. I hope I’m wrong
Thank you fir continuing to name and call to accountability! I greatly appreciate your writing and reporting.
Joni never fails to disappoint.
She is not the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate. How can you forget Tammy Duckworth from Illinois…. Purple Heart recipient!
Joni Ernst joined the Senate in 2015. Tammy Duckworth came a year later.
Phony Joni.
Why do these women weaken?
Thank you for your always excellent columns. This one said everything that needed to be said about Joni Ernest. But, I had no doubt she would cave and support Hegseth. The minute I found out she & Reynolds headed down to Mar-a-lago to celebrate with Trump & skip GOP celebrations here, election night, I knew they were cozing up to Trump. There was no way she was going to cross him at all. She knew her political career was at stake and she is not a woman of her word, nor is she brave in politics. She says what she thinks people want to hear. Her follow through will never be there. She is an embarrassment to women in Iowa, and women in the military.
Thank you Linda. One would have hoped her own life experiences would have made her more sensitive to other women's victimization and the need to address and stop it, but she always seems to cave to political winds. Sadly, that last part is true of all of Iowa's elected officials in D.C.
Well, she didn’t have a problem when DT said John McCain wasn’t a hero, so I expect nothing short of her caving..again. But I hope I’m wrong.