What They Are Saying: Sen. Joni Ernst Delivered the Republican Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) delivered the Republican Address to the country. Senator Ernst laid out the new Republican Congress’ plans to get Washington back to work for Iowans and people across the country. If you missed it, you can watch the address here.
What They Are Saying…
Kathie Obradovich, Des Moines Register: “She told the story to illustrate the frugality and hard work of Americans like those in Red Oak, Ia. It was just as charming on the national stage as it was on the campaign trail in Iowa. Ernst delivered her address with polish and a toothy smile, avoiding the pitfalls that have befallen some of her predecessors who have given the GOP response.” (Des Moines Register, 1/20/15)
Associated Press: “Ernst, 44, sprinkled her policy prescriptions with a personal touch, recounting her youth on her family's farm in Red Oak, Iowa. She described plowing fields, working mornings at a Hardees restaurant and wearing plastic bread bags over her only pair of good shoes on rainy school days.” (Associated Press, 1/20/15)
Yahoo News: “From the outset of her remarks, Ernst’s message and tone conveyed moderation and affability, with a polite but firm challenge to the president to work with Republicans on issues such as tax reform, trade and job creation. ‘Even if we may not always agree, it’s important to hear different points of view in this great country. We appreciate the president sharing his,’ Ernst was planning to say, according to prepared remarks. ‘Tonight, though, rather than respond to a speech, I’d like to talk about your priorities.’” (Yahoo News, 1/20/15)
POLITICO: “…a fresh face for the party with a compelling life story and natural political talents, and a symbol of the new Republican majority on Capitol Hill.” (POLITICO, 1/20/15)
Roll Call: “Ernst has enraptured Republicans in a way that few other politicians have done. Her friendly, effusive personality has been winning people over.” (Roll Call, 1/20/15)
Mason City Globe Gazette: “Ernst offered a big agenda. She called tearing down trade barriers in Europe and the Pacific to ‘sell more of what we make and grow in America over there so we can boost manufacturing, wages and jobs right here at home.’” (Mason City Globe Gazette, 1/20/15)
Real Clear Politics: “…leaders find the 44-year-old woman from Red Oak to be among the party’s most refreshing new faces, and hope that viewers who see and hear her in their living rooms or on the mobile devices tonight start to think of people like her when they think of the Republican Party.” (Real Clear Politics, 1/20/15)
KWQC: “’There’s a lot of pride in Iowa that somebody from Iowa has been chosen to do it and clearly this is a real opportunity for her and the State of Iowa,’ said Rep. Dave Loebsack, (D) Iowa, 2nd Dist.” (KWQC, 1/19/15)
Financial Times: “Ernst… described the President’s ideas as ‘stale’ and sought to grab the mantle of economic dynamism for the new GOP-controlled Congress.” (Financial Times, 1/20/15)
Fox News: “Sen. Joni Ernst hammered home the idea of a new Republican Congress ready to champion the middle class in America as well as go after terrorists abroad.” (Fox News, 1/20/15)
Reuters: “Republicans who now control Congress will push back against President Barack Obama's agenda with legislation to create more jobs, Republican Senate newcomer Joni Ernst said in her State of the Union response on Tuesday.” (Reuters, 1/20/15)
CBS News: “In her response, Ernst -- the first female combat veteran ever to serve in the Senate -- also spoke about the threat from extremists. ‘We've been reminded of terrorism's reach both at home and abroad; most recently in France and Nigeria, but also in places like Canada and Australia,’ said Ernst, who donned a pair of camouflage high heels for the night. ‘Our hearts go out to all the innocent victims of terrorism and their loved ones. We can only imagine the depth of their grief... The forces of violence and oppression don't care about the innocent. We need a comprehensive plan to defeat them.’” (CBS, 1/20/15)
Washington Post: “Freshman Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) offered a smoothly delivered, personal and populist message that sought to draw a contrast with President Obama in the official GOP response to Obama’s State of the Union address.” (Washington Post, 1/20/15)
CNN: “And she has another trait that drives Democrats crazy: She seems nice. Not New Jersey nice or California nice, but Iowa nice, which anyone who has ever stepped foot in Iowa knows is really, really nice.” (CNN, 1/20/15)
Click here to watch Senator Joni Ernst deliver the Republican Address.
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