The Brevard County Republican Party in Florida is standing by its decision to have South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the keynote speaker for its annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner, despite the recent controversy surrounding Noem’s admission of shooting her puppy and a family goat for misbehaving. While the revelation sparked outrage from both sides of the political spectrum, with some calling it cruel, the party chair, Rick Lacey, defended Noem’s actions, likening it to the movie “Old Yeller” and claiming that it was necessary to protect her family. Lacey expressed confidence that the party’s supporters will still want to hear from Noem, who is rumored to be a potential running mate for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. However, sources close to Trump have suggested that the dog-killing story may have eliminated Noem from consideration for the vice-presidential slot.
Sticking by the South Dakota Governor Despite Puppy-Shooting Revelation
The Brevard County Republican Party in Florida has found itself at the center of a heated debate after announcing that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem will be the keynote speaker at its upcoming annual Lincoln/Reagan Dinner. This decision comes in the wake of a controversial revelation from Noem’s new book, “No Going Back,” where she detailed shooting her 14-month-old puppy and a family goat for misbehaving.
The Controversy
In her book, Noem described her puppy, Cricket, as having an “aggressive personality” and being “untrainable.” She wrote, “I hated that dog,” and recounted how she decided to execute the puppy after it killed chickens belonging to a neighbor. Noem also admitted to shooting a family goat that had previously chased her children.
The story sparked outrage from both sides of the political spectrum, with critics labeling her actions as cruel and inhumane.
Defending Noem’s Actions
Despite the backlash, the Brevard County Republican Party is standing firm in its decision to have Noem as the keynote speaker. Party Chair Rick Lacey defended Noem’s actions, drawing a parallel to the classic film “Old Yeller.”
“I saw the movie ‘Old Yeller.’ When you had a dog that was vicious, the poor guy took care of it,” Lacey said. “You have to do what’s right. You have to protect your family from animals, whether from a wolf or a rabid dog. The (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) puts down vicious animals every day.”
Lacey also expressed confidence that party supporters will still want to hear from Noem, especially as she’s rumored to be a potential running mate for former President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Ticket Sales and Potential Political Implications
According to Lacey, the party has already sold 200 tickets for the event in the days since announcing Noem as the keynote speaker, suggesting that the controversy hasn’t deterred attendees thus far.
However, sources close to Trump have reportedly signaled to national media outlets that the dog-killing story on its own may have eliminated Noem from consideration as a vice-presidential candidate.
As the Lincoln/Reagan Dinner approaches, the Brevard County Republican Party’s decision to stand by Noem will undoubtedly continue to spark debates about the appropriateness of her actions and the potential political implications of this controversy.
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