Posts Tagged ‘Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’

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

I know this is a little behind, but we have had a rough week at the office with the loss of a co-worker.

I applaud Sen John Thune and Rep. Septhanie Herseth-Sandlin and the others who thought the Cash for Clunkers deal is a joke. 

“While the first week of the program has been popular, I still have significant concerns about pouring even more taxpayer funds into programs to aid the auto industry, especially when there has been no opportunity for congressional oversight of this new program,” Herseth-Sandlin said Friday(7/31) in a statement to the American News.”I opposed authorization for this program in June, even though I have long supported increasing the fuel economy of motor vehicles.”

“The $2 billion extension is the latest example of how the Democrat-controlled Congress reflexively spends taxpayer money,” Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said in a statement to the American News

If the Senate approves the funds, “it would add $2 billion to the $85 billion of taxpayer dollars that have been used to prop up the auto industry,” he said.

Just think, the people that voted to fund another $2 Billion to this are going to be the same people going to be in charge of healthcare.  Thanks, but no thanks

This is a big moment for the country…I am ready to make my endorsements. I know everyone reading this has been anticipating this moment for a long time. Here we go.

I am endorsing Barack Obama for president. I know you’re all surprised, but I was excited for his 2008 presidential run at the end of 2004. If you are wondering why, it is because I feel he is a big step forward for this country, both domestically and internationally. He is willing to fight for the middle class. I could ramble on and on, but I feel he is right for the country.

I am endorsing Tim Johnson and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin in the races for Congress. I think South Dakota is behind me on these two.

I do not feel any of the ballot initiatives or amendments should be passed. Some were okay, but I did not think any of them were special enough to get me to vote yes. I will focus on a few right now.

Ballot Initiative 11
I am strongly against it. I am for reproductive rights, but that isn’t the only reason to vote this one down. If it passes, it is doomed. South Dakota taxpayers will be forced to pay for loads and loads of bills trying to take down a precedent that even conservative judges know is set. This would be an expensive gesture. Let someone else try this first, then watch how horribly it ends up for them. Vote no on this one. We cannot force religious beliefs on others.

Constitutional Amendment J
I am against this amendment, as well. I believe term limits are a good thing. Too often, officials are elected based solely on the fact that they are incumbents. This is especially true with state officials because there is less exposure. I support term limits because new people with new ideas should have the opportunity every so often. There is a reason presidents step down after two terms. Eight years is enough.

That is enough for now.

Enjoy the victory, Tigers. I always wondered what a playoff victory felt like. Savor it, boys.

Always skeptical, never cynical
Adam Feser

Too often in South Dakota (or Nebraska) you will hear Democrats talk about their vote not counting in the presidential election because South Dakota always votes Republican. I have had enough of this attitude. I propose that we think of the presidential race by county. Brown County Democrats, let’s win Brown County.

I was looking around today and found that in 2004, John Kerry lost Brown County by 2,443 votes. First of all, that was John Kerry, the man that managed to lose to W. Secondly, this is Barack Obama we’re talking about. He is an amazing candidate. Finally, the timing is right, after eight years of failed policies.

I think if everyone puts forth some effort, convinces a few people to vote who normally don’t, and does some campaigning with their family/friends (I’m looking at you, Johnson family), Obama can carry Brown County. We produced Tom Daschle and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, people! I don’t know what the numbers are in Brown County, and I doubt they exist, but we can take it. Maybe I’ll call up Howard Dean and introduce my strategy. He says, “Knock on every door!” I say, “Win every county!”

If we get Brown County, eventually more will go from red to blue (or at least purple (blog name reference, boo ya!)). Eventually South Dakota can become, at the very least, a swing state. Let the power of positive thinking persuade you.

Enjoy pre-season NBA basketball (just kidding).

Always skeptical, never cynical
Adam Feser

I just read a list of politicians supposedly more attractive than Sarah Palin. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin came in a number seven. I probably would have put her a bit higher, but what do ya do? Much of the rest of the list is comprised of lower level state officials, so it seems they went to a great deal of work to find people we wouldn’t know. I’m no longer putting the link up because the others are unknown and one of the photos may be considered a little much. But yeah, Herseth Sandlin gets a little cred.

Enjoy the Vikings pulling it together.

Always skeptical, never cynical
Adam Feser