Friday’s news that Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is considering not seeking reelection inspired the type of internet callback that no political figure ever wants.
A smoke signal sent by the campaign said that Ernst will announce the decision officially next month.
Still, the report of the pending news was enough of an excuse for Ernst’s critics to remind others of the callous way she dismissed voter concerns about Medicaid cuts at a town hall in Parkersburg, Iowa, back in May.
When one woman yelled that “people will die” because of the major cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs, Ernst snidely responded, “People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven’s sakes, folks.”
The comments have followed Ernst ever since, even as she tried to reduce their impact in various ways.