Neil Fulton is the new Chief of Staff. Not a bad pick, but a curious choice.

* Just a footnote, some if not all of that money to the SDDP might have come through Neil’s work as a lobbyist, where they could have recorded the money under his name as opposed to the organization(s) the dems were shaking down at the lobbyist reception.

WHAT?

I see KELO posted their story about Fulton’s appointment at 1:43 p.m.

Is there something wrong, PP? The mainstream media has scooped you again?

Neil is a class act, smart and capable. I think the Gov made a good choice.

Interesting my post did not stay. No, it was negative at all, my comment was “What”.

I would think that Tony Dean would most likely say what is listed above, if it is in-fact Tony Dean.

Gov. Rounds is a fool. It sure doesn’t surprise me that he made a horrible pick.

WTF??? Why is Governor Rounds hiring someone who gives money to Herseth and has supported Kerry and Daschle.

Is Governor Rounds saying there is no Republican around that has the experience and talent to fill the Chief of Staff’s shoes?

This hire does not help the SD Republican Party.

I support bipartisanship to accomplish goals for the state, but hiring a democrat to see the inner workings of a republican state government is not the answer I was looking for.

Perhaps the question that needs to be pondered is the Governor more Democrat than we think…or that he lets on.

Rounds has more in common with Herseth and Tony Dean than he does with most Republicans. Why do you think he is so heavily bankrolled by Adelstein? His choice for cos doesn’t surprise me at all.

I think Jason Glodt or a Thune staffer would have made a hell of a lot more sense.

A good choice.. Neil is a sharp fellow. He’s been on the “inside” of state politics for years, it’s not like he’s going to learn new secrets and call Rick Hauffe the next day. If he was a turncoat, it would have shown up long ago.

I agree with Jim Smith

Effective leaders choose the very best people that can be found, regardless of prior political philosophy, and then motivate those people to put their talent to good public use.

Read up on abraham lincoln.

Reaching across the aisle to grab top talent has always been a good move, not because the fellow is across the aisle, but because he has top talent. Virtually everyone that knows Fulton will tell you he is just that.

Ted klaudt is a “staunch republican.” So was Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho and Minneapolis fame. What’s my point? Party registration is something, but it is not everything.

This proves once again what an idiot Mike Rounds is. When will he finally be out of office?

Neil Fulton is a huge liberal hack and Herseth lover and he has already sabotaged a lot of important Republican initiatives and he’s one of the reasons the REpublicans get nothing done in Pierre.

This is good news for South Dakota, and good news for those who hope that partisanship takes a back seat to politics for a while.

This is not good news for conservatives who want the Governor to lead the charge against Democrats and moderate Republicans. If you look it up, you’ll see Neil has given thousands and thousands of dollars to Democrats. He’s not exactly going to be the kind of person who leads the charge against Stan Adelstein, or works to bring down Scott Heidipriem.

But for the majority of South Dakotans that hope that we can put divisive social issues aside and partisan agendas aside for a few years and actually get some governing done, it’s a great pick. It sends a clear message that the Governor is going to be involved in the legislative sessions to a much greater degree, and it sends a clear message that he’s willing to work with both sides of the aisle.

The Secretary of State says there are 240101 registered Republicans in South Dakota. And Rounds couldn’t find 1 to be chief of staff?

Here’s one instance where hiring one his family members would have been a better idea.

#14 has a good point,that you pick someone who is best for the job. And I agree when it comes to a non-political post.

HOWEVER, you don’t put someone with a liberal Democrat background to run the Republican governors office, to meet with Republican leadership on sensitive issues and to plan strategy.

#11 is correct, Glodt would have been an excellent choice and he is right in the Gov’s office like Fulton was.

Isn’t Rounds the one who chose Randy Frederick as the State Party Chair, the person who sunk the ship?

It should not surprise anyone that he chose someone who supports Dem’s!

Um. I don’t know what you guys are smoking but…..
Herseth-Sandlin is hardly a liberal. Neither was Daschle. Kerry? Maybe, but not a real principled rock-ribbed liberal. McGovern is a liberal.
Fulton is a moderate. Just the kind of person you want to be your Chief of Staff in the last days of your administration.

Jason Glodt would be a disaster. Please.

South Dakota’s reactionary conservatism is moving this state so far back into the stone age, it’ll probably help confirm the evolution theory once and for all.

I think that Neil was an excellent choice! I know Neil and he is not some liberal lover that some idiots on here proclaim. He has many similar values as conservatives (even though that really has nothing to do with this job), he is very well educated, he has a great relationship with legislators and cabinet secretaries, and he has great experience with government and the Governor’s Office. Let’s be real here, he understands what this job is and he won’t be pushing Republicans to support Democrat positions. Besides, I think it’s a great strategic choice in terms of having someone that thinks a little different to challenge your thinking instead of hiring an ass-kisser.

If you know or get the chance to know Neil, you won’t be saying such bad things about him regardless of your stripes.

I’ve got a pretty good idea what you are smoking Penny! Herseth not a liberal? Or Daschle? What rock have you been hiding under?
Glodt would have been a wonderful choice, which is exactly why he didn’t have a ghost of a chance of getting picked for the job. Is the gov intentionally trying to destroy the Republican party in this state or is he just too dumb to know what he’s doing? Either way, if we ever elect Rounds to another office, WE are the idiots!!!

Dear #22
I see the SD educational system has taught you well.
Daschle lead the Senate to vote for this wretched war we are in. Basically said “Yes Mr. President anything you say.” The whole time he was in the Senate. So um not really a liberal like Sen Feinngold or Sen Wellstone.

And Herseth-Sandlin? Do you know what a Blue-Dog Democrat is? According to the American Conservative Union, she voted for their interests 60 percent of the time. If she was a liberal that should be more like zero.

But maybe you have a better idea about how the world should be run than I do #22. Maybe we should just hire political hacks like Glodt to every job. After all a government that governs least governs best right? So why not put the worst suited people for the jobs in government so it never does anything. Maybe we should move the capitol. Not just out of Pierre, but tear it down all together. That would solve a couple of things right there. No more pork barrell projects wasting tax dollars for a better road to the Capitol and crime in Pierre would end after legislators stop showing up. Then we’d disolve State Government. Citizens would be on their own for Fire and Police protection. Black Water is always looking to expand right?

Then we could get rid of public schools. I don’t know how we ever let a socialist tool like public education teach our kids. We could also save a ton of money by closing the libraries. Then we could shut down the judical system they suck up a lot of tax dollars too.

Now were talking property tax reform, right #22?

Just more proof of the inbred stupidity of Pierre. It is a wonder we control anything in this state. The really sad thing is that we don’t have anyone on the horizon who can save the GOP from itself.

penny, i love your first 2 sentences: “I see the SD educational system has taught you well.
Daschle lead the Senate to vote for this wretched war we are in.”

If the the Governor had picked Ghandi, there would still be a rabble of detractors on his pick. If the Governor had searched the entire planet, he could not have made a better choice than Neil Fulton.

Thank you Lexrex.
Maybe if Daschle had listened to people like Sen Robert Byrd who called the resolution for the Iraq war a “blank check” for Bush and in the most clairvoyant thing said about the war Byrd said, “This is the Tonkin Gulf resolution all over again. Let us stop, look and listen. Let us not give this president or any president unchecked power. Remember the Constitution.” (CNN OCT 11, 2002)

And if maybe Daschle hadn’t handed over so much power over to the President, we could have forced him to implement the “Future of Iraq” study that Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld et al chose to ignore creating the mess we are in.

So again, Sens Feingold, Wellstone and even Byrd = Liberal. Daschle= NOT Liberal.

I think it is important to look at the responsibilities of a Round’s COS. Skjonsberg has been the point man on all issues having to deal with the Native American Tribes. Neil is a logical and capable choice when you consider this aspect of the job. The legal system between the state and the tribes is highly complex and has been an area of major contention since Rounds took office. He’ll be respected and he’ll bring fresh ideas. Verdict: not a bad choice.

you’re welcome, penny, but i think you missed my point. oh well.

Penny, According to the Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal group, Daschle’s rating was always above 90%. Very Liberal.

According to the American Conservative Union, a conservative group, his rating was 0-15%, indicating liberal also. If he was a moderate, he would have been in the 40-60% range on both ratings.

Sorry, but we tend to think that people who think like us are moderates as we always believe that we are moderates ourselves.

This is a prime example of PP’s hypocrisy.

He blasts Stan Adelstein as a bad Republican because he gave a little bit of money to Democrats. But Fulton is “not a bad choice.”

Fulton was Stephanie Herseth’s official campaign treasurer. He has given money to the South Dakota Democratic Party. He’s a Democrat. He supports Democrats.

Look at opensecrets.org — Fulton has only given money to two recipients. He gave Stephanie Herseth $5,000 since 2002. He has given $750 to the South Dakota Democratic Party. That’s it. Nothing to Thune. Nothing to Diedrich. Nothing to the state GOP.

And then look at Adelstein. True, there was a $250 check written to Daschle in 1999. But there is also over $6,000 to the South Dakota GOP. He gave $4,000 to Larry Diedrich. He gave $2,000 to John Thune. $2,000 to Janklow. $3,000 to Bush. $3,000 to the Ohio GOP, $4,000 to the Florida GOP, $3,000 to Pennsylvania GOP, $2,500 to the Michigan GOP, $1,500 to the Missouri GOP, $3,000 to the Arizona GOP, $1,500 to the Wisconsin GOP and $1K to the Minnesota GOP (all of those contribtutions to swing state GOP were made in 2004 to, it seems, make sure Bush won reelection). There are also contributions to GOP Senators Spector, Chambliss, Shelby, Coleman. There are also some contributions to Democrats Lantos and Inoyue.

But, far and away, he’s given far more money (likely more than 90%) to Republican candidates and Republican parties. But because he’s given some money to Democrats in the state and nationally, PP says he ought to be excommunicated. Yet when the GOP Governor hires someone who has NEVER given a penny to the GOP, and has given thousands of dollars to Stephanie Herseth (who will likely be the Democratic nominee in 2010) as well as the SD Dem Party, you say he’s “not a bad pick.”

You’re willing to look the other way because you can’t bring yourself to criticize your old boss, but if you held Fulton to the same standard you hold Stan, you’d be leading the charge against this…

Bruce must have turned Mikey down.

Dear #31,

You don’t get it. I AM a Liberal. Daschle wasn’t liberal enough.
#31, Are you one of those conservative nitwits that think that people should be embarrassed to be liberals? I have no desire to be mixed up with spineless moderates like Daschle.
Yes, Daschle was able to keep his voting record in accord with some Democratic groups.
But when it counted, to stop the war, a war we should have never entered if he had any liberal principles, he showed no spine and wrote Bush a blank check to conduct this horrid war.
I am sorry you are so clueless.

Cordially,

Penny

It’s pretty clear what’s happening. Rounds is looking out for himself, not his party. He may be too conservative (or dim) to win another race in this state if there are classy, moderate candidates up against him. So he will be outwardly moving toward the center.

Or, gosh, just maybe he hired the most talented person for the job instead of some ideologue who pleases the farthest right wing of the base.

Penny,

Who are you going to support for President now that all of the Democrat front runners have said they won’t get out of Iraq? I am genuinely curious as you stated that you are a liberal.

Can’t we just have GW prez for life? Or at least until Jenna is old enough to be prez?

PP sure does have a double standard – as 32 pointed out.

Adelstein = bad because he gives 90% of his contributions to Republicans but not 100% and because he supports moderate incumbents against their conservative primary challengers.

Fulton = good because he was Herseth’s campaign treasurer and gave money to Democrats, and little to nothing to Republicans.

PP just hates Adelstein and won’t criticize his old boss. What results is a lack of consistency – some would say hypocrisy. Funny PP hasn’t defended his hypocrisy since #32 was posted. Can’t defend the indefensible?

to #36
I was very dissappointed to hear them say that.
I am not very enthusiastic about any of the “top” candidates right now nor have I been for a long time. I don’t like Hillary for several reasons. Edwards has plenty wrong with him to not be a good choice, Obama has the least wrong but I am a little unsure about how passionate he really is about his views VS how passionate he is to get elected.
Kucinich is the most in line with my views and the most honest about his views. He is who I am supporting.

32 and 38,

I think you need to actually think for a moment, as opposed to being two monkeys hammering gibberish onto keyboards.

First, with regards to a supposed double standard involving Neil and Stan Adelstein. Stan was an elected Republican official. Neil is not. Stan has thrown the party he claimed to represent to the wolves, calling it’s members extremists.

I’ve never heard Neil to do anything except support the candidate of his choice. And that’s something I encourage anyone to do, regardless of party.

I certainly haven’t noticed him referring to himself as a Republican and then acting as Herseth’s treasurer, as opposed to Stan’s public begging to be considered as a Lt. for Billion’s campaign for Governor.

(BTW Anon #32, in your analysis, you’re ignoring the over $80,000 Stan put into the SD Dem races this last election)

As to not questioning the choice, did either of you bother to read the post before you started throwing poop at it?

Professionally, I said Neil is a good choice. But did you ignore the part where I noted that “politically, it’s a choice that leaves many Republicans going “huh?” And the part following it where I detail why – did that escape your attention too?

Next time, read to the end before you start flinging.

Hogwash, PP. You now claim you encourage people to support the candidate of their choice regardless of party. But in post after post you encourage Republicans to vote Republican regardless of the candidate.

And your criticism of Adelstein: much of it is that he has provided money to democrats which undermined their republican opponents – but Fulton is a good choice when he Left the republican candidates hanging and funded Democrats AND ACTIVELY WORKED ON HERSETH’S CAMPAIGN.

By the way, “public begging”? Your hatred of Adelstein is showing through. He never publicly even asked – let alone begged – to be Billion’s Lt. Gov. choice. In fact I recall him saying he wouldn’t accept it.

Where’s your honor, PP? Have you given it up to entirely fabricate falsehoods against Adelstein?

I find it mildly humorous that someone writing as anonymous speaks of honor. Such bravery and leadership. What a shining example for us all. Let us all take a moment to recognize the high bar of moral authority that “anonymous” has set for us all. Hip Hip Hooray!

BTW, “anonymous” – thank you for the debate. I had to edit this after I looked at the source, and noticed we’ve shared a beer a time or two as well as other discussions in your office when you were in Pierre. Be nice or I won’t water your plants again.

Regardless, “Hogwash” yourself. Again, another case of not bothering to read this website.

I’ve always encouraged people to be active in the political process, regardless of party.

Would I prefer they be Republican? You’re darn tootin’ I do. Am I going to advocate for Republican candidates over Democrats? Absolutely. But, whether they work for a Republican or Democrat, I’ve always said that a politically engaged public is important.

And again, you seem to be applying the same standard in different situations. One to a private citizen. Another to an elected official. Two VERY different situations.

And yes, I use the term “public begging.” I have direct confirmation from a member of the Billion campaign staff at the time that no one from there ever said anything to Adelstein about being Billion’s Lt. Governor. Stan was the one who was actively promoting it. What would YOU call it when Stan brings the issue up and expresses his interest. And wouldn’t accept it? Billion turned him down.

Aside from all of that, I’m not the one who brought Stan into this discussion. I just said that personally, Neil is a decent guy, but politically, he’s a curious choice.

PP – in comment #40 you note Stan was an elected official and that Neil is not. But this isn’t really about Neil, it is about Neil’s appointment – by Smiling Mike – an elected republican official just like Stan was.

40. That’s nonesense, PP.

Stan hasnt “thrown his party to the wolves” in any way shape or form. (Who are the wolves anyway, Pat?)

What he has done is to separate the sheep from the wolves in sheep’s clothing.

The extremist wingnuts who love to manipulate voters with wedge issue, unresolvable social issues — who claim moral authority on one hand while practicing sodomy, hypocriscy, pederasty, sophistry, bribery and usury on the other — have become the bane of the Republican party.

Decent Republicans are appalled at the behavior of many in this esoteric, exclusive “core” leadership group who laid claim to the most righteous and rigorous positions of power and asked the rank and file to trust them.

And then these self same, self-proclaimed champions of the righteous promptly disgraced themselves — and by extension, those gullible enough to seat them in power.

And now, the poor fools… Remnants of the true SD Republican fabric, trying to hold their disgraced candidates’ ships together even stinking crafts sink into the mire of political malaise.

No wonder the real Repubs are looking for a bailout.

The moral high ground has just washed out.

The roads are all closed .

And it might take a while before they open again.

And an even longer while before anyone in their right mind feels like driving down them, even in good weather.

38/41 here. We have had a discussion here, and people can make up their own mind on the topic based upon my comments and others. I think there is value in having a discussion, and that is why I read, enjoy and participate on this blog – in my opinion the finest political blog in SD.

However, it is your choice, PP, to allow anonymous comments. When people read your comments in 42 and realize that you are going to extreme efforts to identify anons, it will certainly have a chilling effect on future discussions. Some of the most thought provoking comments are from people who want to remain anonymous.

Perhaps we will share a beer again and have future discussions. But if anonymous comments placed here are not anonymous, and we comment at risk of being publicly identified, then you have lost a contributor to this blog.

When you only have commenters who agree with you and sign their name to every post, what fun will that be?

Respectfully, I’d have to disagree again with you, 38/41.

I actually didn’t go to any extreme measures to figure out who you were. For most anonymous commenters, you can sleep easy. Short of a court order compelling an ISP to identify the user of a IP address at a given time, there’s no way I could find out.

In this particular instance 38/41, I looked at all of your comments and in one case, you happened to use your name.

PP

I do not know who are the individuals who have chosen to support my integrity – but I appreciate them – anonymous or not. Interesting how your hatred of me and patent dishonesty do not cause you to comment about “anonymous” of those who speak badly and in falsehoods about “Adelstein” or “stan” or his supposed house, etc.

But that is an aside. Name the source “on the the Billion campaign staff” that said I sought the Lt Governorship. Like your deliberate repetition of Schoenbeck falsehoods – this is made out the whole cloth. I was approached by several democratic state leaders – not “members of the Billion campaign staff,” and refused.

Your lack of even a modicum of reportorial integrity has kept me silent for some time. Your deliberate use of this story – probably made up by you – drove me foolishly to reply.

I find it somewhat amused that your profound dislike and distrust of “Democratic candidates” and their activities would lead one of their staff members to confide in you.

Fortunately your obvious dishonesty, in this case, destroys a shred you your personal credibility. Perhaps entertaining in your manipulating of my picture, but false to core in your manipulative reporting.

Stan Adelstein

PP. Can’t you craft some type of spin to #43 or are you just going to give M. Mike a pass on this one? Imagine your outrage if Stan had hired
Fulton as some type of lobbyist or consultant in a party related matter

Stan,

Just as during your time in Republican politics, you fail to pay attention.

I didn’t say the campaign approached you. I said that “I have direct confirmation from a member of the Billion campaign staff at the time that no one from there ever said anything” to you. Just for you, I’ll even ask that person if I can release their name. But even if they decline, trust me – that’s one I can solidly back up.

Regardless, newspaper headlines such as “Adelstein noncommittal about supporting Rounds” see here don’t help your case any.

Despite your whining about it, I think you’ll find that former Senator Schoenbeck would equally disagree with your “not me” accounting of the conversations as to the committee positions you would be holding. Unless someone has a tape, it’s your word against his.

And Stan, I suspect the reason you mostly stay silent on this blog is because one of the last times you were here, you were humiliated when you tried to make people believe that you weren’t an open supporter of democrats and the democratic party, and I shattered that illusion (see http://dakotawarcollege.com/?p=2343).

I don’t even have to bring up your past support of Tom Daschle when he was running to support the statement that, for someone who keeps trying to run as a Republican candidate, you certainly seem to campaign for their defeat.

And I think you can trust that those facts will all come home to roost the next time you decide to try to lose a Republican primary.

Aside from that, you go on about some supposed “profound dislike and distrust of “Democratic candidates.” Just because I compete with them doesn’t mean I dislike them. I actually talk to many of them. Heck, I’m even happy to give Frank Kloucek the time of day, even though I give him a hard time. He’s an honored opponent.

Since you don’t read this website, you probably missed the post I did about going on a tour of Democratic Headquarters, and chatting with Rick Hauffe. There are Democratic operatives whose abilities I respect (including your consultant of choice, Jody Severson), just as there are Republican political consultants and operatives who get my love.

What I don’t respect – are people like you who claim to be loyal lifetime members of the GOP, but spend most of your time tearing the party apart, showing us all that for you, it’s not about the GOP – it’s all about YOU.

anooner, I thought I addressed that once in a comment above where someone else failed to read my post.

http://dakotawarcollege.com/?p=2964#comment-15613

Professionally, I said Neil is a good choice. But did you ignore the part where I noted that “politically, it’s a choice that leaves many Republicans going “huh?” And the part following it where I detail why – did that escape your attention too?

Simply going “huh” is less than soft, and equates to giving M. Mike a pass for exactly the same behavior you love to rail against as arbiter of who is and who isn’t a good little republican soldier. You can’t have it both ways on this on pal.

PP: Great answer to our liberal friend, Stan.

anooner, last time I checked, it was *my* forum, and I can have it any way I want.

Neil is a decent guy, although he’s a registered independent. But by the same token, I’m *not* unaware of his past democratic activism.

I have to acknowledge he’s been loyal to the administration since he’s been working with them (since 2003).

You seem to think he should forever be branded by his past actions. I, on the other hand, acknowledge that despite his past, he seems to have come over to the right team. So, I’m willing to give him a chance.

Try not to fall down dead from shock, but even Stan “PACaSTAN” Adelstein (who was commenting above) deserves a chance to prove himself, but he’d need to take some steps towards rehabilitating himself in the GOP’s eyes first -something he has yet to do.

Thanks PP. Apology accepted.