Ivy Ziedrich has become a national sensation after she stumped the likely Republican presidential candidate, Jeb Bush, with a shocking statement: "Your brother created Isis."
The video of the confrontation between the 19-year-old college student and the former Florida governor, which took place at the town hall meeting in Reno, Nevada, has gone viral on social media.
According the New York Times, Ziedrich approached Jeb Bush by saying, "Governor Bush, would you take a student question?"
When Bush agreed to take the question, Ziedrich identified herself as a Democrat. She slammed Bush's earlier claim that President Barack Obama was responsible for creating Isis due to his bungled policies, including the hastened pullout from Iraq by the US military.
"It was when 30,000 individuals who were part of the Iraqi military were forced out — they had no employment, they had no income, and they were left with access to all of the same arms and weapons...Your brother created ISIS," the student said.
Taken aback by her confrontation, Jeb Bush asked: "All right. Is that a question?" At this, Ziedrich snapped back: "You don't need to be pedantic to me, sir."
She went on to ask: "Why are you saying that Isis was created by us not having a presence in the Middle East when it's pointless wars where we send young American men to die for the idea of American exceptionalism? Why are you spouting nationalist rhetoric to get us involved in more wars?"
The former Florida governor then said, "We respectfully disagree," and explained that in his view more US troops in Iraq would have prevented Isis from gaining ground there.
The conversation ended when Bush abruptly decided to walk away.
Since her public confrontation with Jeb Bush, Ziedrich has gained an almost-celebrity status. She even put up a post on Facebook: "If the first time you hear my name was in the news, please stop trying to add me."
As per her Twitter page, Ziedrich is a "student, activist, coach, participant". According to the National Parliamentary Debate Association, the 19-year old wants to study Mandarin, Arabic, and Russian. She is a natioanally ranked debater and also works as a debate coach at the University of Nevada.
Twitter Reactions:
Citizen1452 @Citizen1452
My new Hero: #IvyZiedrich! She challenged #JebBush with an intelligent question. He answered with a partisan reply. Game over!
Andrue @JaJahIrie
#IvyZiedrich you're one smart young woman. Bravo!
Erik Loomis @ErikLoomis
When we get students reading, they shed their conservative past. That's why Republicans oppose the humanities.
Roxy @RmystiQue78
I love her already #bow ►Ivy Ziedrich to #JebBush: "Your brother created ISIS
David Joachim, NYT @davidjoachim
Ivy Ziedrich (@IvyZied) committed an act of journalism. As candidates keep their distance from reporters, I hope more voters do the same.
k @misskate
I think Ivy Ziedrich is my new hero.
Carole Troll @Thejazzchick
GM. It took #IvyZiedrich, a 19 yr old college student to tell #Jeb what the media & weak knee pols won't say, "Your brother created Isis."
