One of the GOP's brightest female stars is dogged by Trump in 2020

[DonViejo]

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst will have to outrun the president, whose trade war has damaged his standing in the state.

By MARIANNE LEVINE 03/31/2019 06:57 AM EDT

ADEL, Iowa —Joni Ernst had barely kicked off a town hall one morning here recently when the barrage of complaints about Donald Trump began.

One after one, constituents took to the microphone to grill the first term Republican senator about the president — his attacks on John McCain, his emergency declaration at the border and why, in the opinion of several voters, Ernst hasn’t stood up to him more often.

“Other senators are speaking up criticizing Trump and defending McCain, but I have yet to hear one word from you,” one man implored her. “Is there no line Trump can cross that would cause you to break ranks with him?”

Ernst kept her cool as she answered the 30 people who trekked to a high school auditorium on the outskirts of Des Moines to hear her. But she was emphatic in response: “Oh, I break ranks with President Trump quite a bit.” After defending McCain, she said: “So right there — there you have it.”

Ernst better get used to it. At the same time she's gearing for reelection, Democratic presidential candidates will be camped out in Iowa hammering Trump at every turn. The heightened attention on the president will test the political agility of Ernst, who has generally earned high marks in the state but is having to answer for Trump — whose poll numbers lag behind hers — and some of his unpopular policies.

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https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/31/joni-ernst-trump-2020-iowa-senate-1244074

[Ohiogal]

1. That is some pretty shameful behavior

for a military veteran .... defending McCain only when a constituent calls her out on it.

Too little, too late, Joni.

[DFW]

2. The only thing Ernst should get "high marks" for

She only deserves being acknowledged for hiding out when Trump is at his worst, while voting with him nearly lock-step with McTurtle.

Iowa deserves better--a LOT better. She deserves to be a one-term Senator.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. If Ernst is unable to be honest with the people she says she represents....

Then she is going to get the heat from her constituents in ways that she is unable to handle.

Looks like Iowa is for the taking by a Democrat who will not only stand up to Trump, but actually do the job od doing right FOR the people. Joni Ernst has turned into a Trump lackey. Iowa is primarly a Farm economy state, and the Trade Tariffs have hurt the farmers in that state in a very big way she is not addressing. THEY know that is the case.

[Vogon_Glory]

4. Gee, Joni Ernst, it looks like you're in a pickle

Your party’s political leader is a hateful, vile, repellent con-man and bigot and since your party enforces ideological and political conformity, you can’t inch away from him. Like mold in the shower and poison ivy in the back, he’s always there.

Isn’t that too gosh-darn bad? (Heh, heh, heh)

[bobbieinok]

5. Didn't she campaign on knowing how to 'take care of pigs'?!?

[Vogon_Glory]

6. And McConnell presented her with a pig castrator

And I bet there are times that FLOTUS wonders if the junior senator from Iowa still has it and if she could borrow it.

In the meatime, it looks like Joni’s been cornered by a boar.

[struggle4progress]

7. "I'm not a Trump stooge! I'm not! I'm not! Not!"

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. She deserves all the grief that's sent her way