Controversial South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a keynote speaker on the California Republican National Convention this weekend, appeared buoyant Saturday because the party gathered in Burlingame to strategize and recruit members for the November election to strengthen.
She took swipes at Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Joe Biden and called on state Republicans to step up their support for local and national Republican candidates and ballot measures.
“I think the biggest difference between your governor and me is that I don’t know if he ever questions (whether his actions are constitutional”), Noem said, referring to Newsom’s COVID-19 lockdowns. “I think your governor is just saying, 'I'll do whatever the hell I want to do.' It works for him.”
Noem also criticized what she called Biden's loose border policies and his COVID-19 restrictions, saying she was “fighting fake news day-after-day.”
But unlike the often inflammatory Donald Trump, the presumptive presidential nominee, Noem encouraged his supporters to engage in “civil” dialogue with those with whom they disagree. “A diversity of opinions at the table and perspectives on background and experience in politics lead to better laws and better government,” she told the crowd.
Noem was once considered a possible running mate for Trump. But political experts said that was no longer likely since she revealed in her recent book that she shot her dog, angering Republicans and Democrats alike.
Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former member of the Republican Party, said the selection of Noem as speaker was a decision made before the dog-killing controversy.
“It falls under the heading of 'gave the impression of an excellent idea on the time,'” Pitney said. “She was at the top of the list of vice presidential speculation. California Republicans wanted to bask in their reflected glory, but now, to use an unfortunate expression: “That dog won’t hunt.”
According to Noem, she took Cricket, a wire-haired dog, on a pheasant hunt with other experienced dogs. The governor eventually shot the dog after Cricket ate a farm family's chickens and bit Noem. She also wrote about killing a goat on the same day.
On Saturday, her comments on the controversy were limited: “Listen, I have a book coming out. Maybe you've heard a little about it. I guarantee you, if you listen to the media, you haven't heard the truth. That’s why I would recommend you read it.”
The conference participants seemed unaffected by the problems of dog protection.
“I haven't heard anyone mention this, and all I can say is: If you really care about dogs, which I do, go to the local animal shelter and adopt one,” said Betsy Mahan, Sacramento County GOP chairwoman.
Pamela Neitte-Garcia of Antioch, the treasurer of the Contra Costa Republican Party, said she is focused on Noem's message of listening to different views to create “higher laws and higher government.”
“She had a great message,” Neitte-Garcia said. “Be less divisive and more able to communicate with one another.”
Although the Bay Area has voted Democratic in the past, Garcia said Contra Costa conservatives are “definitely more engaged and love and miss Trump's policies.”
Tickets for the meeting ranged from $300 to $575. The California Republican Party said on its website that at least 1,000 people were expected to attend the convention, which is being held throughout the weekend at the Hyatt Regency in Burlingame. In San Mateo County, where the venue is located, only 14.4% of the 435,483 registered voters are Republicans, while 56% are Democrats.
Notably absent from the party conference and from the list of guest speakers was Steve Garvey, the Republican Senate candidate who will face Rep. Adam Schiff in the November runoff election for the open U.S. Senate seat in California.
Pitney said Garvey's absence shows the former baseball star is not serious about his candidacy.
“I think every professional Republican knows that unless something radical happens, they have no chance in the Senate race,” Pitney said. “And Republicans want to focus on the few races they can win, particularly some House races.”
This news organization contacted Garvey's spokesman Andy Gharakani about the candidate's absence but has not yet received a response.
Republican National Committee co-chairwoman Lara Trump, the former president's daughter-in-law, was scheduled to speak at the dinner Saturday night, capping the conference's second day.
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