The Iowa senate race between incumbent Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield has gotten seriously bitchy. We mean that quite literally. It’s not a battle over policy or the poll numbers that have started to favor Greenfield that have seen things get off the leash. No, Ernst drew fire on social media today because she aimed her biting remarks at Greenfield’s … dog?
Yes, Ernst threw the Twittersphere a real bone when comments caught their attention where she derided Greenfield for “hiding in her basement” taking selfies with her dog, Ringo. Here’s the audio complete with some dog whistles about “leadership.”
NEW: We’ve obtained the audio of @SenJoniErnst attacking Theresa’s dog by name.
Listen 👇👇👇 #IStandWithRingo #RingoGate #IASen pic.twitter.com/tJhifKKYQo
— Izzi Levy #IStandWithRingo (@chevytothe_levy) July 31, 2020
It seems that Ernst really barked up the wrong tree with these comments, because “Ringo” began trending in Iowa, then nationally, along with #IStandWithRingo, bringing more attention to this very close race.
UNBELIEVABLE! @JoniErnst, who yesterday REFUSED to answer reporters’ questions if she agreed with #Trump that the Election should be postponed, is now attacking her opponent’s (@GreenfieldIowa) dog #Ringo! How desperate can you get? My dogs Odie & Chester say #IStandWithRingo pic.twitter.com/xI88oJVjTs
— Kay Gogarty #BidenHarris2020 (@GogartyKay) July 31, 2020
Republican senators as people who hated dogs ~ a thread ~
Joni Ernst – IA #IStandWithRingo pic.twitter.com/ZYvNmLclQD
— Anthony J. Zarzycki (@anthonyzarzycki) July 31, 2020
In response to Ernst’s tongue-wagging, we should note that Greenfield probably likes to hang out with Ringo at home because there’s still a freaking pandemic going but also LOOK AT THIS GOOD GOOD BOY???
What a week! Between virtual town halls and meet and greets, I’m grateful to have a few minutes of quality time with my pal Ringo 🐶 pic.twitter.com/9F2UXIUcKa
— Theresa Greenfield (@GreenfieldIowa) July 31, 2020
But the GOP has become so heartless and neutered of any sort of kindness or compassion that people like Joni Ernst object to dog selfies. Which are, by the way, the best kind of selfies! And dog pictures are the best kind of treat, as evidenced by the abundance of very cute little fluffers in the #IStandWithRingo tag.
And for the record, Shakespeare stands with Ringo. #IStandWithRingo #IASen pic.twitter.com/IEnt5N1ivF
— Sam Newton #IStandWithRingo (@SamNewton) July 31, 2020
When Maybel heard the news about #RingoGate, she knew she had to speak up. #IStandWithRingo pic.twitter.com/a8Oq1eixnL
— Henry Novak (@henryfnovak) July 31, 2020
Duchess will not stand (or wake up) for these attacks #IStandWithRingo pic.twitter.com/HBbAk1u9eU
— jennashapiro (@jennashap) July 31, 2020
#IStandWithRingo and so does Harley. @GreenfieldIowa @joniernst has failed to provide good leadership for Iowa. pic.twitter.com/U9YtA51MYE
— Matt (@MattFalduto) July 31, 2020
Cliburn and Spoleto are sitting in judgement of @joniernst and her dog hatred #IStandWithRingo pic.twitter.com/ONnfgAKrrK
— Jim (@JimBoKenFTW) July 31, 2020
Attacking someone’s pet and bringing terrible national attention to yourself feels a lot like chasing your own tail, Senator Ernst. And it seems like this dog of an attack has had the opposite impact intended by making you into more of a villain, which is hard to do when Donald Trump is president. And wouldn’t we want a responsible dog owner as a senator, considering they know how to pick up and dispose of crap, which will be essential if Democrats retake Congress?
But the dog pictures were a real treat, so thanks for that, and I’m sure Theresa Greenfield and Ringo appreciate all the love and support.
Ringo says hi to all the good dogs out there standing up for him! #IStandWithRingo
We need to take action to give Iowa’s hardworking families a hand up. That starts with flipping this #IASen seat: https://t.co/8IhJEdobSz
— Theresa Greenfield (@GreenfieldIowa) July 31, 2020
As for the way Senator Ernst came off in all of this … woof.
(image: Theresa Greenfield for Iowa)
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