Analysis: Noem has spent her debating career going for the jugular; Friday's debate was no different

Unpopular Democrats at the national level leave local Democrats like Jamie Smith vulnerable targets

South Dakota voters who sacrificed part of a fall Friday night watching the only debate in this year’s race for governor were treated to a vintage display of attack-dog politics, compliments of their governor.

Gov. Kristi Noem has had a successful debating strategy throughout her career of tying Democratic opponents to an unpopular president. She did it again Sept. 30 by likening her challenger for re-election, Jamie Smith, to President Joe Biden. Biden’s approval rating across the nation is low, and in South Dakota, it’s well under water.

Noem has specialized in chaining her opponents to the anchor of unpopular national Democrats and pushing them into a sea of voter discontent, where they’ve sunk, never to be seen again.