Ernst unscathed on big stage

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst survived one of the worst jobs in American politics without a scratch, and enhanced her national profile. Not bad, freshman.

Her response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech was generally well-received by the national punditry, or at least by the ones I was watching in CNN. Yes, some people do still watch CNN.

'Rising star” and 'fresh face” were uttered more than once. Her delivery was pleasant and competent. Ernst's personal biography was the subject of many a 'Who is this Joni Ernst anyway?” story on various news sites. As national introductions go, Ernst's was, on balance, mostly positive among those who haven't already decided she's the best thing since sliced bread or Sarah Palin II.

She produced an online meme, which is a home run nowadays, among folks who don't use words like nowadays.

Her story of wearing bread bags as a child on rainy days to protect her lone pair of 'good shoes” rose swiftly on social media like a Hardees biscuit. Of course, much of the reaction was snarky. Bags of bread played in some circles a lot like binders of women. Still, others got a chance to dust off 'folksy.”

Some Iowans likely cringed, or rallied round the bags. But I find it's always comforting to remember that the day after God created rural Iowa, he created jokes about rural Iowa. You can look it up. Pretty sure it was Luke or John. But I'd rather you didn't.

Speaking of Iowa, it's the heavenly place where Ernst's speech sounded far, far less interesting than it did for a national audience. And that's because much of it was a rehash of the stump speeches she made on the campaign trail last fall. Red Oak. Bread bags. Hardees. Farm girl. Yeah, we know, Joni. What else you got?

Well, not a true, substantial rebuttal. Her speech could have been given at any time since November. Its slot after President Barack Obama seemed like just a coincidence. As I wrote Tuesday, I was hoping Ernst would offer some meaty alternatives to some of Obama's big plans on taxes, higher education, climate and other major issues. That didn't happen. I think Republicans missed a chance to show us a serious agenda. Campaign speeches are swell, but governing, though unfashionable, is also important.

So for Ernst's personal political fortunes, her SOTU response was a boost. But as a Republican response to the policy vision set out by the president, we were left holding the bag.