Who Is Kristi Noem?

            My VIP for this week is Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota. Noem has numerous accomplishments that would qualify her to be a VIP. However, I chose to recognize her for her common sense and willingness to speak out when she sees something wrong. 

            Noem heard President Joe Biden promise that he would nominate the “first black woman” to the Supreme Court. She was blunt in her judgment of his decision to use race and gender to pick the next justice for the Supreme Court.

I think that’s very unfortunate that he chose that approach…. It almost divides people based on what they look like and their background, rather than just who’s the best person for the job.

            Expressing appreciation for where she was reared, Noem said that “it didn’t matter what color my skin was, what sex I was, it didn’t matter.” She said that what “mattered was working hard and doing the best job I possibly could do.” She believes that Biden would choose the next justice as the person with the best qualifications. Those qualifications would include someone who would “uphold the Constitution … love America … recognize that their position in the high court is not to make laws, it is strictly to enforce the integrity of this country.”

            Like many people, Noem “thinks it is wonderful for women to have plentiful opportunities to succeed and to have a level playing field.” However, she never asked for “special treatment.” She continued, “I think that one of the great equalizers in this country is opportunity, and it should be open to everybody.”