SD/Local Politics

Democratic National Committee Executive Director Jennifer O’Malley recently said John Thune scares her. This is because he could be the most dangerous contender in 2012 (though I don’t think it’s as scary as the prospect of him actually being president). She went so far as to say he gives her nightmares.

O’Malley and others recognize that most of the possible GOP contenders are flawed, but she sees something in Thune that is threatening. I personally think he’s flawed, but when compared to Palin (lying quitter) and Romney (who implemented Obamacare before Obama was near the Oval Office), I guess it’s easy to stand out.

For some reason I think Newt Gingrich is scary, and he seems to want to run. The least scary thing in the world would be Palin winning the Republican Primary. The most scary thing in the world is that she has a chance to win the Republican Primary.

Enjoy the quick ramping up of the 2012 election in mid 2010.

Adam Feser

Politics Daily has a list of women that are rising stars in the political scene. Number one on the list is Kristi Noem.

I’m no fan of Noem and this is troubling for Herseth-Sandlin supporters. If Noem is a rising star on a national level it means she’s gaining steam. November is still very distant, but I’m nervous.

Enjoy Dan Gilbert’s meltdown.

Adam Feser

Stephanie makes it hard for anyone to say she’s liberal without having it be laughable. She also makes it hard for liberals to understand what she is doing.

Blue Dog Democrats have been a strong part of the Republicans’ opposition to any legislation Obama was elected to pass. Stephanie voted against health care reform, for instance (though that apparently doesn’t matter to my fellow blogger because she isn’t farther right than most Republicans). The new thing she and Republicans are on about is reducing the deficit.

What is incredibly disconcerting for people with a heart is that reducing the deficit is more important to many on the Hill than making sure those that have lost their jobs aren’t without help. They continue to hold up legislation to help the millions of unemployed. As Alex Pereene notes, this is a new type of Democrat. The old rifts were easier to understand. As Alex puts it:

Throughout the entire post-New Deal era there have been massive divisions in the Democratic coalition, but they usually break down more like “people who think we shouldn’t let Americans starve on the streets vs. people who agree with that but hate black people” or “people who understand that a strong social safety net is vital for the health of the entire nation vs. people who agree with that but who also want to nuke commies.” This new brand of Democrat, I am unfamiliar with.

The important part of being a Democrat was concern for the well being of people. Republicans talk about bootstraps and sink or swim while Democrats realize our system will always leave some at the bottom and those people deserve help. There were the divisions of Democrats that had less-than-savory beliefs, such as Dixiecrats, who eventually became Republicans. But the overall concern has been and should be about the people. But this new group apparently cares more about the deficit, which makes them hard to understand.

This is in the face of economists, including Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Elmendorf, who say benefits for the jobless are one of the best means of stimulating the economy. Elmendorf specifically says that cutting the deficit while economic activity and employment remain low will slow economic recovery. Again, he’s the director of the CBO, which all those people on the Hill look to to gauge what impact legislation will have.

What a great time to take a stand! Let’s screw over the unemployed while also slowing our economy’s recovery! Brilliant!

Anyone moron who insists Herseth-Sandlin simply follows Pelosi’s lead is willfully ignorant. She’s pretty muchdeclared war on Pelosi. Worse than that, she’s more or less declaring war on what we should stand for.

But those struggling to make payments and feed their families can be comforted by the fact that they and our economy will be worse off in service of cutting the deficit.

Enjoy ads painting Stephanie as a liberal.

Adam Feser

Here are the 2010 Statewide Elections in South Dakota. Everything is set after both parties had their conventions over the weekend. I am predicting a republican sweep of all these races. The US House race and the Secretary of State race will be the toughest. Ben Nesselhuf is a good candidate. Adam, I am curious on your thoughts.

Click on each of the links for more information on the candidates.

Governor:
Scott Heidepriem-D
Dennis Daugaard-R

US House:
Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin-D
Kristi Noem-R
B. Thomas Marking-I

Attorney General
Marty Jackley-R
Ron Volesky-D (Dude go away. You can’t win anything)

Secretary of State:
Jason Gant-R
Ben Nesselhuf-D

State Auditor:
Steve Barnett-R
Julie Bartling-D

State Treasurer:
Rich Sattgast-R
Tom Katus-D

Public Utilities Commission:
Dustin ‘Dusty’ Johnson-R
Doyle Karpen(who)-D

School and Public Lands Commissioner
Jarrod Johnson-R
Bob Pelle-D

This weekend is the South Dakota Republican Convention. I will be attending it starting Friday evening with the Governor’s Dinner with Dennis Daugaard, Mike Rounds, John Thune and Kristi Noem . Saturday we will be voting on the three on three races to see who will be on the ballot for the republicans. Those three Races are: Secretary of State, State Auditor and State Treasurer.
Republican Candidates for Secretary of State are
Teresa Bray from Pierre
Jason Gant from Sioux Falls
Tom Deadrick of Platte

Republican Candidates for State Auditor are:
Steve Barnett from Aberdeen
Pat Miller from Ft. Pierre
Tim Rounds from Pierre

Republican Canididates for State Treasurer are:
Rich Sattgast of Pierre
Mike Mehlhaff, Sr. of Pierre

I have a convention vote and I will most likely be voting for Steve Barnett, Jason Gant and Rich Sattgast. I will post the results Saturday after the convention concluded. If I am correct, the democrats have their convention in Sioux Falls this week.

In other things, a new poll has been released by Rassmussen Sen. Reid from Nevada is down 8 points to his opponent…could be a tough year for the incumbant, regardless of which party you are from

Republican Candidate for Governor Dennis Daugaard has tapped former Rep. Matt Michels, R-Yankton, as his running mate.

At first I wasn’t sure about his selection but after thinking about it I am sure this was a good choice. I thought Chris Nelson would have been a good choice but this guy comes with out baggage. As I learn more about him, I am sure I will come to understand his choice.

Check out what American News Blogger Bob Mercer had to say about the selection

Interesting Poll Numbers from Rasmussen

I know it is early, but dang….

Scott Heidepriem on the issues.

I want readers (and you, Dr) to sift through this issues page. Then I want to know what you disagree with.

I understand these sites tend to be fluff and broad generalizations that no one can disagree with, but there seem to be some actual ideas in here. I like this one: Restore Competition/End “No-Bid” Handouts. This could be especially important in a race with Daugaard if what commenter Red Stater says is true:

The problem with Dennis is that this if he’s elected, he will be the first candidate that is in the pocket of a state contract holder. His whole campaign is so inexorably tied to Lawrence and Schiller it staggers the imagination.

They are running his campaign and his Daughter works there – at the same time they hold a no-bid contract worth millions.

As an attorney, he took an oath against conflicts of interest – he took one to avoid their appearance.

I have also looked at Daugaard’s issue page. I disagree in a few areas, as should be expected, and the rest are things no South Dakotan should disagree with.

I guess the main point I’m driving at is that I would like to hear what conservatives have against Heidepriem. I’m sure there are things beyond his one page that you all would disagree with, but I’m curious to see what they are. That whole page pretty much consists of ways to cut spending, save money, and shrink the government. On it’s face it seems like something many of our readers (and Dr) would appreciate.

Thoughts?

Enjoy Scripps Spelling Bee. Go kid from Sioux Falls!

Adam Feser

Dennis Daugaard is a proven leader, true conservative and can lead South Dakota out of this budget crisis that South Dakota faces. This is why I am endorsing Dennis Daugaard to receive the republican nomination for candidate for governor of South Dakota.

His priorities are job creation and balancing the state budget, all of which he has experience with in his personal life and during his career as executive director of the Childrens Home Society of Sioux Falls. When he took over back in the 90s he had almost no surplus in the budget. When he left last year, there was almost $20 million dollars in the surplus account. He was able to balance the budget, cut un-needed spending and get CHS back on track. All of these experiences can benefit South Dakotans in Pierre.

There are several good candidates in the race for governor…but Dennis is the most electable candidate on the ballot with the most experience.

Most importantly, Daugaard is the best candidtate to beat Heidepriem in November.

Please join me and supporting Dennis Daugaard for Gov

Votes with house speaker Nancy Pelosi 95% of the time. In my opinion, that is terrible representation of South Dakota…

Here is the story