‘Rising star’ Kim Reynolds missed the mark in State of the Union response

As Iowans and Americans look for leadership during troubling times, Gov. Kim Reynolds’ rebuttal to the State of the Union was a missed opportunity.

“This is not the same country it was a year ago,” said Reynolds, meaning, of course, conditions have deteriorated under the leadership of a Democratic president.

Reynolds went on to simultaneously bemoan errors of the Biden Administration while lauding the many ways Republican governors like her have saved us.

I’m among the Iowans and Americans who seek a sense of unity and hope for better times. In a recent Pew Research survey, 62 percent of Americans expressed fear over the state of the nation, and 55 percent said they are “angry.”

Reynolds delivered a list of things meant to reinforce fear and anger. She hammered away, insisting Republicans are the only way out of the mess Democrats created.

Personally, I miss the days when a balanced distribution of political control forced bipartisan collaboration and compromise, which often leads to mention of Sen. John McCain. The late Republican from Arizona sought compromise, forged alliances and gave credit where it was due --- a practice that’s sorely lacking in today’s political climate.

It’s not that McCain was necessarily agreeable. He fought, argued and was loathe to give ground. But we were willing to listen to him criticize others because he’d proved himself capable of turning the magnifying glass on himself.

That is, McCain attempted to consider long-term outcomes. He seemed to speak from a place of doing what he believed to be right, even when it wasn’t the best for his career. Those of us who desire unity invoke McCain because even if we didn’t always agree with him, we respected his motivation.

Reynolds delivered a list of things meant to reinforce fear and anger. She hammered away, insisting Republicans are the only way out of the mess Democrats created.

“On the issues that are affecting Americans, Republicans are leading,” she said. “We are standing up for parents and kids; we’re standing up for life. We’re keeping our communities safe and thanking those in uniform. We’re fighting to restore America’s energy independence, including biofuels. We’re getting people back to work, not paying them to stay home. Most of all, we’re respecting your freedom.”

The logical interpretation is that the other side is never right, and hers is the only way. Logical fallacies and inaccuracies aside, there’s little leadership and vision in a speech that reinforces fears, stereotypes and one-party options.

I’m not naïve. I understand the opportunity to give your party’s State of the Union rebuttal is a huge springboard for a political career. I realize a way to secure party support is to cut down the other guy --- repeatedly.

For Reynolds, shooting her shot led CNN to call her the “Republican party’s shining star.” Predictably, it also was mentioned that she’s a potential Trump 2024 running mate.

Yet while I understand Reynolds plays politics, I argue that Iowans and Americans need a more strategic player.

Whether discussing our state or the nation, a leader’s job is to solve the tough, shifting puzzle of responsible administration. The goal isn’t to beat an opponent, especially if you believe that opponent to be half your constituency.

Sure, a politician must win the office. But from there, holding the office should focus on finding a way to serve to the best of your ability. To that end, Reynolds is governor of Iowa, not merely governor of those who agree with her.

That’s complicated but not impossible, regardless of what Reynolds’ speech conveyed. It requires a desire to serve the greater good, not a political party.

Karris Golden is a Gazette editorial fellow. Comments: karris.golden@thegazette.com