South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem
Kristi Lynn NoemGolden statue of Trump at CPAC mocked online Five things to watch at CPAC Haley isolated after Trump’s fall MORE (R) at her address in Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday praised his state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, while criticize other state leaders for resorting to restrictive measures to combat the virus.
Noem, an ally of the former President Trump
Donald TrumpBiden to hold virtual bilateral meeting with Mexican President More than 300 accused in connection with the Capitol riot Trump Jr.: There are “many” rulers who should be challenged MORE, began his speech in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, stating that America needs conservatives for a reason – the year 2020.
“The question of why America needs conservatives can be answered by mentioning just one year, and that year is 2020,” she said. “Everyone knows that almost overnight we have gone from a turbulent economy to a tragic closure across the country,” she continued, before giving Trump a record low unemployment rate in early 2020.
The South Dakota governor also said that, once the pandemic struck, many states chose to implement widespread shutdowns, which Noem said resulted in significant job losses, school closures and an economic slowdown.
“Now, let me be clear: COVID has not crushed the economy, the government has crushed the economy,” she said.
Noem added that South Dakota was the only state that never ordered “a single business or church to close” and also did not issue an on-site shelter application or a mask mandate, which generated applause and an ovation from many in the crowd. .
Noem also aimed Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciOne dose of Pfizer vaccine offers significant protection for those who have had COVID-19: Fauci studies: whatever COVID-19 vaccine is available, ‘get it’ Julia Roberts presents Fauci Courage Award: ‘You have been a beacon for us ‘ MOST, the country’s leading infectious disease specialist, claiming that President biden
Joe BidenHouse Democrats Approve .9T COVID-19 Relief Bill with Minimum Wage Increase Biden to hold virtual bilateral meeting with Mexican presidentThe company’s chief medical consultant is “very wrong”, a comment that was also applauded by the conference participants.
“We never focus on case numbers,” explained Noem. “Instead, we keep an eye on the hospital’s capacity. Now Dr. FauciAnthony FauciOne dose of Pfizer vaccine offers significant protection for those who have had COVID-19: Fauci studies: whatever COVID-19 vaccine is available, ‘get it’ Julia Roberts presents Fauci Courage Award: ‘You have been a beacon for us ‘ MOST, he told me that on my worst day I would have 10,000 patients in the hospital. On our worst day, we had just over 600. ”
Despite Noem’s defense of his particular approach to the pandemic, South Dakota saw some of the highest coronavirus cases and deaths per capita in any US state this fall, despite having a relatively small population of approximately 884,000.
In August, the state hosted the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, where about half a million people gathered in a county in South Dakota. The event was later connected to some outbreaks in Dakotas and neighboring states.
The state has since recovered from the fall in the fall.
According The New York Times coronavirus database, the state saw a total of more than 112,000 coronavirus infections and 1,886 deaths as a result of the virus.
Noem did not explicitly say whether he is looking at a 2024 candidacy for the White House, but his comments on the CPAC may provide a glimpse of potential talking points in a candidacy for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination.
Aspiring presidents often speak at the meeting, providing an opportunity to attract widespread recognition and support from the Republican Party’s faithful.
A recent Politico Poll / Morning Consult put Noem at 1 percent among a crowded run of potential candidates for 2024, with most saying they would support Trump himself if he ran again.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill this week that there will be a fundraiser for the Noem government campaign in 2022 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club next month, hosted by Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle
Kimberly GuilfoyleHaley isolated after Trump fallout Noem to raise funds at Mar-a-Lago, presented by Donald Trump Jr. Republicans struggle to remove Trump MORE.
Noem verbally indicated his proximity to the former president, including at the end of last month, when he said she gave Trump a $ 1,100 bust depicting the former president at Mount Rushmore in July last year, during his controversial visit to Independence Day in the midst of the pandemic.
During his visit, Trump delivered a speech in front of thousands of people, many of whom were not disguised or socially distant.
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