Gov. Jim Justice (R-W. Va.) brought along his dog to respond to critics during his State of the State address.
On Thursday, Justice pointed out the state’s success with the economy and education.
“Proud to never, ever forget our coal miners and our gas workers and all of the fact that we all should be so proud of who we are, record pay raises, Communities In Schools doing phenomenal work, streamlining and eliminating waste, combating drugs,” Justice said.
He added, “Feeding the hungry — very, very — just the essential ingredients who we ought to be, building road after road and surplus after surplus and made education our priority and did so and the world began to know that we are that diamond in the rough that everybody knew.”
Justice proceeded to bring his dog with him to the podium to send a message to his critics.
“They never believed in West Virginia — that we could do it. They never believed that the Nucors or the GreenPower or Owens & Minor — they never believed. They never believed they would be here,” Justice said.
He added, “They told every bad joke in the world about us. And, so, from that standpoint, Babydog tells Bette Midler and all of those out there, to kiss her hiney.”
Watch the video below:
Omg.
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) January 28, 2022
WV Governor Jim Justice during his state of the state address lifts up his his dog and turns her but to the camera while saying:
“They told every bad joke in the world about us…so from that standpoint, Babydog tells Bette Middlet and all those out there, kiss her hiney” pic.twitter.com/bdJlOXhtez
Actress Bette Midler criticized the state last month, calling it “poor, illiterate and strung out.”
What #JoeManchin, who represents a population smaller than Brooklyn, has done to the rest of America, who wants to move forward, not backward, like his state, is horrible. He sold us out. He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) December 20, 2021
She later issued an apology.
“I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst. I’m just seeing red; [Joe Manchin] and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens? Surely there’s someone there who has the state’s interests at heart, not his own!” Midler tweeted.
I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst. I’m just seeing red; #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens? Surely there’s someone there who has the state’s interests at heart, not his own!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) December 20, 2021
Babydog has her own Twitter account.
A Friday tweet said, “Big night last night with Dad.”
Big night last night with Dad. Always remember to turn the other cheek. pic.twitter.com/7IzbCYGK27
— Babydog Justice (@BabydogJustice) January 28, 2022
It continues, “Always remember to turn the other cheek.”