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Noem Holds Closed-Door Meeting to Avoid Discussing Farm Bill Flip-Flop

Last updated on 2012.08.06

Rep. Kristi Noem (R-SD) at closed-door meeting with Rep. Rick Berg (R-ND) and farm leaders in Sioux Falls 20120806
See? Closed doors. Really. (Posted on Rep. Noem's Facebook page)

On her first week back for August recess, Rep. Kristi Noem is already avoiding public meetings and tough questions. With a chance to let interested South Dakotans talk with her and visiting North Dakota Rep. Rick Berg about the Farm Bill, Kristi closed the doors and chatted in private Monday with selected farm leaders (please, someone get me an invite list so we can compare it to her donor list).

She sure as heck didn't want to hear from her challenger Matt Varilek, who dropped by the meeting early to present this firecracker of a document: a draft of the letter Rep. Bruce Braley (R-Iowa) wrote to recruit fellow House members to push for a vote on the Farm Bill as soon as possible. Rep. Noem signed this draft. But she changed her mind—er, Speaker Boehner changed her mind—and kept her name off the final version released by Rep. Braley on August 2. Rep. Berg did sign that letter.

Varilek posed the logical question: Why, Kristi?

"Congresswoman Noem recently signed a letter asking her colleagues to "˜show your support to our nation's farmers by committing to sign on" to the measure forcing a vote on the Farm Bill,' and she claims she is working hard to get a new Farm Bill passed before the current one expires," said Varilek. "But when the time came to back up her words with deeds, she backed down, siding with her party leaders instead of South Dakota farmers and ranchers."

Today Noem is holding a closed-door meeting with Congressman Rick Berg (N.D.). Unlike Noem, Berg supports the measure that would force a vote on the Farm Bill. Berg's statement on the issue says: "If House Leadership won't allow a vote on the Farm Bill, we will use every tool available in our continued effort to push for one," Berg stated. "I refuse to sit back and watch our farmers and ranchers face uncertainty while Washington plays political games." Varilek called on Noem to explain her disagreement with Berg.

"Kristi is meeting today with a fellow Tea Party freshman from neighboring North Dakota who is willing to defy his party leaders for the sake of his constituents," said Varilek. "Farmers and ranchers in our state deserve to know why Kristi backed down from doing the same" ["Noem Backtracks on Prior Support for Farm Bill Vote," press release, Matt Varilek campaign, 2012.08.06].

Rep. Noem did offer recite something resembling an answer to crack SDPB reporter Kealey Bultena, who reports Rep. Noem "says she may still support a discharge petition, but she considered historical lack of success in not signing."

Rep. Noem turns historian only when she needs to cover her keester. The only reason Noem fears a discharge petition won't succeed is that the GOP leadership can't muster the votes to pass a Farm Bill.

South Dakota's lone Congresswoman still hasn't announced any open town hall meetings during the August recess. But if you see her, try pinning her down on just what she's willing to do to pass a Farm Bill that serves South Dakotans, not just her personal aspirations.

20 Comments

  1. Jeff Barth 2012.08.07

    Secret government?! It is a bad habit to get into.
    While the truth can be uncomfortable it usually isn't as bad as you expect unless...

  2. Bill Fleming 2012.08.07

    I got a call from Kristi to attend one of her telephone town halls. It was pretty short notice (it was to begin immediately) and I was busy with a family thing and so couldn't listen in, but I was happy (and a little suprised) to get the invite.

  3. larry kurtz 2012.08.07

    Gee, Bill: wonder why interested party didn't get an invite.

  4. Mark 2012.08.07

    Maybe she's too busy to open town hall meetings because she's getting ready for 12 debates with Matt Varilek...

  5. moses 2012.08.07

    right on she isnt holding any public meetings cant wait to ask her why she voted against Medicare [caps edited by CAH—hey, Moses! switch off your Caps Lock key! :-) ]

  6. Bill Fleming 2012.08.07

    Larry, did you send her your cell phone number?

  7. G-Man 2012.08.07

    Driving from Sioux Falls to Rapid City yesterday, I happened to listen to an interview on a North Dakota AM station that included Berg and Noem. The radio host kept questioning Noem over and over about what the hang-up was in Washington. Berg admitted it was the Republican Leadership, but, Noem kept saying how we had to get this passed without calling out the Leadership. Cory, you are on to something and that something is that Kristi can not stand up to Boehner.

  8. G-Man 2012.08.07

    Yah, Mark, the 12 debates she's going to get creamed in! lol

  9. Rorschach 2012.08.07

    Historical lack of success in repealing "Obamacare" didn't stop her from supporting that effort for what ... the 33rd time?

    She'll fail 33 times - if party leadership tells her to. Or, she will refrain from representing the interests of her consitutents - if party leadership tells her to. She's just a rubber stamp for party leadership. They gave her a title and now they can simply tell our little automaton what to do.

  10. G-Man 2012.08.07

    Rorschach, yah, that game will last for just so long before it gets old with voters. lol!

  11. mike 2012.08.07

    Speaking of deal making and not holding town halls I found this entertaining from 2010:

    "Noem said South Dakotans have been loudly opposed to the reform law and wanted to tell their congresswoman that. But she said Herseth Sandlin refused to hold town halls to receive input on the plan.

    Herseth Sandlin denied that and referenced a health-care forum she co-hosted in Mitchell with Sen. Tim Johnson.

    Noem also renewed her charge that Herseth Sandlin made a deal with a potential primary opponent not to fight for the repeal of the bill.

    "I don't think it is good to be making deals that will further your political career," Noem said."
    http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4451299
    Noem has one standard for her and another for everyone else.

    Noem would throw leadership under the bus today if she was running for senate. She is completely self serving. But she knows she's going to be around for another couple years so she can't make them mad at her.

  12. Garyd 2012.08.07

    Cory: These were leaders of different farm organizations that were invited. I suspect some or many might be on her donor list but at this meeting they were representing their organizations which usually include members from both parties.

  13. Charlie Johnson 2012.08.07

    Perhaps the farm organization leaders wanted this meeting to be closed session also per their request.

  14. Garyd 2012.08.07

    Charlie: You know better than that, the farm leaders didn't call the meeting, Kristie Noem did!

  15. Charlie Johnson 2012.08.07

    Perhaps so but the why the closed door session?
    Who is Garyd? Why the secret name? Why didn't the farm leaders require an open session before attending?

  16. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.08.07

    Can you tell me names, Gary?

  17. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.08.07

    By the way, for the second day in a row, Rep. Noem held an invite-only, closed-to-the-public meeting, says Jerry Hinkle. It's time to turn Noem's complaints about SHS's lack of open halls back on Noem!

  18. Garyd 2012.08.08

    Cory: From the picture the only two I can tell for sure are Mark Gross SD Corn and Scott Vanderwal SDFB. If there was a better angle I could tell the rest.

  19. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.08.09

    According to FEC, Scott Vander Wal contributed $100 to Noem in May. I don't see Gross on the donor list.

  20. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.08.09

    National Corn Growers Association gave Noem $2500 in June.

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