Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Joni Ernst says she turned down chance to be Donald Trump's vice-president
MSN/The Guardian ^ | January 22, 2019 | Ben Jacobs

Posted on 01/22/2019 5:49:25 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

The Iowa senator Joni Ernst has stated she turned down the opportunity to be Donald Trump’s vice-president because she believed her husband, Gail, “hated any successes I have."

In an affidavit filed as part of divorce proceedings with her husband of 26 years, Ernst states: “in the summer of 2016, I was interviewed by Candidate Trump to be vice president of the United States. I turned Candidate Trump down, knowing it wasn’t the right thing for me or my family.

“I continued to make sacrifices and not soar higher out of concern for Gail and our family,” she added.

The Iowa Republican met with Trump in New Jersey at his Bedminster golf course on July 4, 2016, and gave a positive statement about the meeting. However, within two days, Ernst told Politico: “I made that very clear to him that I’m focused on Iowa. I feel that I have a lot more to do in the United States Senate. And Iowa is where my heart is.”

However, in the affidavit, Ernst points to a strained marriage as the reason for her decision. “Meanwhile, he hated any successes I had and would belittle me and get angry any time I achieved a goal,” she says.

In his own court filing, Gail Ernst insists that he had been supportive of his ex-wife’s political career, but details the toll he believes it took on him.

“I gave up all my aspirations and goals to be a good dad and husband so Joni could pursue her dreams,” the filing says. Gail Ernst’s attorney did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment from the Guardian.

Had Ernst decided to seek the vice-presidential nomination, it would have been a historic election with a woman on the ticket for both parties.

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: Government; Politics/Elections; US: Iowa
KEYWORDS: 2016; bulldagger; dodgedabullet; donaldtrump; ernst; gailernst; iowa; joniernst; rino; trump
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last
I live a stone's throw from IA, but we hear little to no Iowa Politics in our area. Any Iowans want to weigh in?

I liked her while she was campaigning, but I'm seeing another power-mad RINO in the making...or finally being revealed.

Opinions? Are Iowans happy with Joni?

1 posted on 01/22/2019 5:49:25 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Well the important thing is that she remembers to put her career before her husband and family. Now she can SOAR without a family to bog her down.

Probably better off without her. If she will put her career above her family, I doubt we could count on her when we need her to put America above her career.
Sounds like shes dedicated to expediency.


2 posted on 01/22/2019 5:55:18 AM PST by DesertRhino (Dog is man's best friend, and moslems hate dogs. Add that up. ....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Divorce should be a private matter.


3 posted on 01/22/2019 5:56:05 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.r)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

“I continued to make sacrifices and not soar higher out of concern for Gail and our family,” she added.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Sucks to be you. Your marriage maybe fell apart because your husband is probably still really pissed off that his Daddy named him Gail. That’s gotta sting.


4 posted on 01/22/2019 5:56:45 AM PST by shelterguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

It would have been another instance of Trump hiring the exact wrong person for any given job.

Not particularly thrilled with Pence either.

It’s really annoying how he will just start randomly. Ending. Every. Word. With. A. Period.


5 posted on 01/22/2019 5:58:09 AM PST by chris37 (No wall? No vote.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I’m sure DJT interviewed others, too so Joni is not that special.


6 posted on 01/22/2019 5:58:43 AM PST by newfreep ("INSIDE EVERY PROGRESSIVE IS A TOTALITARIAN SCREAMING TO GET OUT" - DAVID HOROWITZ)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin
In an affidavit filed as part of divorce proceedings with her husband of 26 years . . .

I don't know why anyone (even including lawyers) thinks this belongs in a public record or in divorce proceedings. Just say "irreconcilable differences" and that should be enough for the judge. Move on with your lives separately if you can't move on together, but don't air your dirty laundry in public. Out of respect for the love I hope they used to have, they should be respectful of each other even during divorce.

Note: I have no opinion on Joni Ernst.

7 posted on 01/22/2019 5:58:51 AM PST by Pollster1 ("Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Why do GOP divorce details always seem to make the news?


8 posted on 01/22/2019 6:00:41 AM PST by Erik Latranyi (The Democratic Party is now a hate-mob)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I wouldn’t read too much into statements made during divorce proceedings, especially when it sounds like the husband is angling for alimony.


9 posted on 01/22/2019 6:01:47 AM PST by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

WHY the HELL is this PUBLIC?? NO DIVORCE PAPERS SHOULD BE!


10 posted on 01/22/2019 6:02:28 AM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Thank God.


11 posted on 01/22/2019 6:02:29 AM PST by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually" (Hendrix))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Describing a ‘career’ in ‘public service’ in terms of ‘soaring higher’ is indicative of what’s wrong with politics. Iowa is a ‘no fault’ divorce state. It wasn’t necessary for either of them to trash the other publicly.


12 posted on 01/22/2019 6:02:55 AM PST by neverevergiveup
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Gail Ernst was career Army and quite a bit older than Joni.

Her voting is a little more conservative than I expected, but it’s pretty clear she’s got Potomac fever. Iowans seem comfortable with her, but she’ll face a serious challenge if the Dems don’t nominate a crazy.

VP? I doubt she was under serious consideration. No background. Trump team may have flattered her in order to help get her support.


13 posted on 01/22/2019 6:03:00 AM PST by jjotto (Next week, BOOM!, for sure!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino

Well said.


14 posted on 01/22/2019 6:04:22 AM PST by neverevergiveup
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Divorce is a public record everywhere? Question is, why does the media think that this is news? Oh, never mind...


15 posted on 01/22/2019 6:06:00 AM PST by SecAmndmt (Arm yourselves!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Erik Latranyi

“Why do GOP divorce details always seem to make the news?”
________________________________________________

AND college transcripts and doctored military records.


16 posted on 01/22/2019 6:07:05 AM PST by oldplayer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

GW Bush in a skirt.

No thanks.


17 posted on 01/22/2019 6:08:56 AM PST by relictele
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jjotto
“I gave up all my aspirations and goals to be a good dad and husband so Joni could pursue her dreams,” the filing says.

What a stupid statement. He had a full Army career before they even married. Seems like an idiot to me.

18 posted on 01/22/2019 6:09:38 AM PST by thefactor (yes, as a matter of fact, i DID only read the excerpt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Democrats flipped two of Iowa’s four congressional seats last November. I don’t know what it means for Ernst’s re-election run but depending on who the Democrats nominate it can’t have made it any easier.


19 posted on 01/22/2019 6:12:12 AM PST by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: newfreep
I’m sure DJT interviewed others, too so Joni is not that special.

He did, and I suspect that if Ernst had thought she was a serious contender for the veep spot then she was badly mistaken.

20 posted on 01/22/2019 6:14:24 AM PST by DoodleDawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson