Argus: Herseth Sandlin getting pounded by both sides
From today’s argus leader, comes a tale of Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin besieged by her critics in the Republican party, and those in her own party:
The political world for South Dakota Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin might be a lonely place these days.
For years, liberals have guarded her left flank while she carved out a position as a moderate Democrat in the U.S. House. Liberals might have been annoyed with some of her votes, but those votes were understood in the context of a Democrat representing a red state.
But some on the left have lost patience with Herseth Sandlin following her opposition to a health insurance reform bill in the House earlier this month.
At the same time, she faces what could be her toughest election since winning the state’s only House seat in 2004. Two of the potential Republican challengers in next November’s general election already have proved they can win elections. Secretary of State Chris Nelson has won two statewide elections. State Rep. Blake Curd is a Sioux Falls surgeon who was elected to the Legislature in 2008.
Herseth Sandlin’s health care bill vote didn’t win her any love from Republicans, either. She said she voted against the bill because it was bad for South Dakota. But Tom Erickson, the spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, called that reason a “fairy tale.”
and…
Green’s organization exists to promote progressive candidates. Herseth Sandlin is one of 10 “bad Democrats” the group is running Web ads against. Of the 10 “targets,” Green said, the largest response to those ads has come from people in South Dakota.
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Comments
Does anyone think Chris Lien would have a chance at another nomination in 2010? This is the best year for anyone to defeat her so far. I think Nelson is the best candidate in the race today.
Nelson is the best candidate. I was a little disappointed that he shaved his mustache for the campaign trail though. As far as Curd goes, who would vote for a doctor who gets paid 7 figures? And who is the other guy?
I have to say if you heard Curd talk he sounds great. In addition he is willing to forgo income to do what’s right. Chris is soild too but how long has it been since he has worked in private buisness. I have to say SHS did vote right and should be interesting com Nov. I have a bigger issue with TJ than I do with SHS.
Chris is a great candidate, but I am pretty sure my mechanic dad would have said something to me about calling somebody unqualified because they had worked hard and become succesful at what they do (Blake Curd – “7 figures” comment) – in fact, I bet Chris wouldn’t approve of that comment.
This will be a great election for South Dakota. There is a high recognition that it is time to quit complaining about the Pelosiists of the world that have no regard for America and the economic system that made her great, and do something about it. Just had this discussion with my butcher when I dropped my deer off yesterday. South Dakotans will be motivated to do their part to clean up the Congress.
Lee you should run for Congress! You’d get the nod!!!
The only thing I hope for is that Thune and Rounds get together and hold Tim Johnson accountable in SD by holding rallies to oppose this bill. Otherwise I don’t see any way Johnson doesn’t vote for this!
I hope JT and MR rally the people of SD not the television cameras.
Going to be interesting Holiday!
I still don’t see what the big deal is. Do you really see Hildy or Epp and that crowd voting for a pro-life, “anti-gay” conservative GOP candidate? Even if they stay home, big deal. She won with Republican votes before. Unless the Dems are really mad enough to find somebody to primary her, they are going to have to put up or shut up.
It would be a brilliant move if SHS were to just switch parties.
The whiners here wouldn’t know what to do. They couldn’t oppose her since she votes republican positions on the major legislation and she gives South Dakota seniority in the House.
My point here: all the sniping here is personal, not principled.
Jon – the most important vote – none is even remotely as important – as the vote to organize. Voting for Pelosi to set the agenda for America and South Dakota — is not good for America, South Dakota, or your family or mine. It isn’t personal, it is the voting record. Sandlin’s is not good for our state.
On an unrelated note, check this opinion article from Senator Thune on CNN.com: http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/23/thune.end.tarp/
This is a slippery slope. Historically, when the Argus doesn’t like someone, the GOP does. So if SHS gets whacked by the Argus, then this really invigorates moderate Dems and a lot of repub’s to vote for her. Positional voting may not necessarily do her in. Something more politically catestrophic needs to happen (”i.e. I’m Tom Daschle and I’m a proud DC resident”) for SHS to become a full time stay at home mommy.
I would respect HRH SHS if she would change parties to the Republican Party. That’s where she belongs based on her votes, attitudes, and views. She has gone way past “mavericky” into simply being a Republican. Nothing wrong with being a Republican but it is if you keep telling people you’re a Democrat.
I don’t know how Hildy will vote, but besides stands on the issues, I also look at the integrity and character of the person. I may disagree with them but if I know they are honest, competent, and thoughtful, that goes a long ways. To me, Chris Nelson fits that bill. The SOS runs efficiently and fairly. He enforces the state’s election laws without worry about party or partisanship or his own personal views. He is accessible. So while Chris and I might disagree on abortion and some other issues, I could see myself voting for him.
People didn’t always agree with McGovern and Abourezk here in SD but they appreciated their candor about where they stood on the issues. Had John McCain won the Presidence, I wouldn’t have been too sad because I also think he’s a person of integrity and would have tried to do the right things for our country. I might not have agreed with his approach but I would have given him the benefit of the doubt regarding his motives.
So, sure, Stephie doesn’t really need me and a lot of my fellow moderate to liberal Democrats in SD. And it’s pretty apparent she feels that way. But isn’t it strange to find a politician so at odds with her own party and core constituency? Just something that makes you want to go “hmmm.”
Todd Epp
Er, Presidency, not Presidence. I think a presidence is where a president lives.
Even more than Schoenbeck’s “organization vote,” I’ve always believed that someone must pass this test to get my vote before any other test is applied.
Would I want this person as my neighbor, would I give them access to my house in my absence, would I let them babysit my kids? The implication is “do they have the integrity and character to be trusted with important matters.”
I too have made that decision in primaries and even general elections (remember Dale Bell?). I understand where Todd is at. In the interest of good government and our democracy, this is a value judgement too little often made.
Stephanie came back to SD to run for office, because of her last name. She had no intention and has no intention of living in SD. Thats why she will never even run for governor and because she cant win. When she is defeated in an election, she will stay in DC, right where she wants to be. Same as little McGovern, who will the dems find next? A long lost Clinton from SD?
wow Troy – dusting off Dale Bell from the old GOP cobwebs – that’s low man – I don’t think we ever ran as bad of a candidate for any office – you’re going to put some of us into counselling by dragging that one up – he was the first “I can’t even hold my nose and do this” candidate I saw as a GOP voter 
!!!!
Thanks Todd for the inspiring post. I like that fact you see the larger picture, and hopefully inspire all who read you to do the same, my party as well!
Interesting stuff. Troy and Lee. I don’t know anything about Dale Bell. I had some trouble pulling the lever last GOP Senate primary. Very scary to think it was worse once upon a time!
I don’t think I could handicap the HOR race next year if I had a time machine (well, ok I could then, but that’s the only way). The national political situation is just so out there right now. What happens in HCR fails and she voted for it? Will she get off the hook since it didn’t pass and would be out of voters’ minds? Passes and she voted against it? Would she get blamed simply for being a Dem? What about the economy?
What impact if any would a liberal base backlash have? My guess is that would just push more conservative Dems and moderate or liberal Reps to vote for her. I don’t know if the numbers would be enough though.
I don’t know guys, but I am definitely going to hold off on making a prediction here. Just too much going on.
This country is just going crazy right now. The SD electorate is smarter than most (in my opinion anyway) but I just don’t know what will push them one way or another.
Todd, good post. One nitpick. In an election where the Dems decide not to vote, Stephanie loses, provided she has viable opposition. That’s my read anyway. And right now, that’s where my vote for Congress is… a non-vote, or maybe a protest vote. Let’s see if the Repubs will campaign for her. I’m not going to. At least not today.
Jon,
If SHS were to switch parties, she would likely find herself in the same position Arlen Spector finds himself: despised by his former party and with no firm support within the party he switched to.
I doubt that she would win the GOP primary.
GOPDAD has a point about the residency thing.
Chris Lien and Herseth had things in common — both lawyers, family names, attractive, etc. But Lien stayed in SD and helped run a business. Libs trashed him as being a business “heir” (so what? Aren’t family businesses a backbone of SD)? I give Chris L. a lot of credit for challenging Herseth in a very bad year for the GOP. Where were Nelson and no-name Curd then? I wish Chris L., who has private-sector experience, would get another chance if he wanted it. I have no idea whether he does or not, though.
Barring that, I think Nelson is a great choice if he quits trying to be politically correct with some upcoming decisions in the SOS office.
Republicans campaign for Herseth??? Based on one allowed vote against a health care bill? When the rest of the time she votes with Pelosi, favors cap and tax, card check, etc. Yeah, right.
I agree Lien is a good candidate despite running in 2008. Herseth has pulled a 180 since being reelected last year on Tarp & Stimulous. Lien could hold her accountable!
She didn’t pull much weight with her opposition to health care so I think Lien should consider getting in once again.
Chris Lien needs to get in again against the fence sitter!
Chris Nelson is the best choice to defeat Herseth. Curd needs to stay in the state legislature for a while.
“Barring that, I think Nelson is a great choice if he quits trying to be politically correct with some upcoming decisions in the SOS office.”
What decision has Chris made that was “politically correct” and directly served his political interests?
“Curd needs to stay in the state legislature for a while.”
Blake has decided that he can better serve us in the US House. If successful, he will make great personal and financial sacrifice to serve us. I applaud his willingness to do what many are unwilling to do.
As individuals, as candidates, and as Congressman, Republicans have a hard to choice but is a choice between two good and worthy individuals. I’m grateful they are giving me this choice.
“I wish Chris L., who has private-sector experience, would get another chance if he wanted it. I have no idea whether he does or not, though.”
Chris is a good man and would make a good Congressman. If he wants to run again, it only enhances the field in which we’d get to choose.
Have you seen Stephanie’s new television ads in which she brags about her health care NO vote and other conserative votes? Why is Stephanie rubbing her health care vote in the noses of the Democrats who are so upset? The only answer I can imagine is that she figures it’s smart politically.
She says it wasn’t a political vote, and yet almost as soon as it was cast she had TV ads ready to roll.
How does that make Sen. Tim Johnson feel as a supporter of reform? Sorta leaves him hanging high and dry.
Stephanie, you’ve got big trouble. I don’t care what your pollster says. Todd is right. You don’t seem to stand for anything but getting votes.
Yes. It directly implies he has done it in the past and you expect he might do it in the future. Apology accepted.
A little off topic, but Tim Johnson voted for allowing the debate to begin in the Senate. He did not get anything for his support. Mary Landreau from LA got $300 million for her vote for her state. Why can’t TJ at least get something for his vote? Couldn’t he at least get SD $50 or $60 million? It now turns out the only way this turkey can get passed is for someone to work as a whore for it.
George:
I think the ad you’re talking about is actually from the US Chamber of Commerce and related groups and not from SHS. Ticked me off when I saw it too but it’s a free country and the Chamber has the right to make KELOLAND richer.
Todd
I think this is the first time since Herseth has been elected that the GOP has had a primary to run against her!
The times they are a changin’! If the vote were held today she would get under 60%!
She should get it from both sides. Sandlin has attempted to be a blue dog when actually she is a Liberal. Pelosi let her off the hook on this terrible healthcare bill. South Dakota deserves better. Someone who will stand with us and who says it the way it is.
Now I’m confused (as usual). Feasant states SHS wants to be a blue dog, but is really liberal. Others above state she’s a conservative. What it comes down to is she’s a populist that will do anything to get votes (as some have stated above). I have more respect for Timmy Johnson in that at least you know what he is (although I disagree with about 95% of what he stands for). SHS stands for nothing (other than pro-abortion) and will garner no support from either party. Pick a hat and wear it already…
“Getting pounded by both sides.” Hmmm. Sounds like the title of a movie I shouldn’t be watching.