Bob Mercer: Thanks Johnson, for the issue that didn’t exist until you brought it up.

An issue that didn’t exist?

It had been discussed at great length here and in other places for weeks. I guess Mercer isn’t a SDWC reader…

I give Johnson props for having the cajones to address it front and center. He’s out and about, people have a chance to see the Senator.

And if anything, it’s just going to prove that debates are pointless in our day and age. You can find out all the info you want with the click of a button.

They didn’t give the Dykstra campaign anything they couldn’t have figured out on their own if they had half an idea of how to run a campaign.

I bet Bob (Mercer) reads the SDWC a lot. A whole lot.

By the way, he’s a great investigative reporter who spins a dandy article every once in a while.

Publius, you can’t find out ALL the info you want. If you could, we wouldn’t need IM10. And *I* can’t even find out where Senator Jardson is or what he’s capable of except what his staff parrots back. I don’t consider that a valid answer to my questions of how capable Jardson is of representing me in the Senate. I want to see the man, in person or on TV, respond to questions that are not scripted.

I’m Joel Dykstra. Vote for me because Johnson won’t debate. That’s pretty much describes Dykstra’s whole campaign plan - if you can call it that.

Okay, Mercer’s column states what I have said all along. This is an issue for the campaign, among other issues.
Johnson and his campaign handed it over.
A debate is one very important way for VOTERS to hear a response of a question asked.
No rehersal, no pre notice of questions is the way to go. It is honest and it is upfront, one word on questions it is not to hard to spot a plant question(s) if you are aware of how it happens.

Like I have been stating JOHNSON DO the DEBATES!
Lets get honest with the voters of SD they deserve it.

Dyksra is NOT placing his whole campaign on debates. Since Johnsons campaign was focusing on debates the media is going to ask Dyskra about the non debates. Now the Johnson campaign is focusing on his illness and possibility of not getting better this just furthers the question Can Johnson DO the Job of a U.S. Senator? Further, will he get better? Maybe he will or he could remian as he is unable to articulate his thoughts into action. Thus leaving SD without two reps in the US Senate and we need both at all times!
You know we sat for one year without being represented by two members that is unfair for SD. This issue is about what is right for SD not Johnson. I wish him well and a full recover, but can SD afford to wait any longer!

I think one oversight in the “debategate” discussions going on in the blogs and political columns is that I’m almost certain that the Johnson campaign has polled this scenario and felt they would survive fairly easily if the Senator decided to not debate this year.

It’s really only fodder for the blogs and the political class in the state. No one else really cares about it and I’m sure that is what was reflected in their polling before Johnson made the decision.

I would add that the average South Dakotan probably has no interest in seeing someone they respect (as his approval numbers show) stumble over his words — less interest than they have in political debates in general.

I do not think it’s appropriate that Bob Mercer writes an opinion column about this issue and editorializes about it, then proceeds to write news stories about it.

Also, everytime I see the way this is pasted up on the Web site like it is, i ask myself why in the world these columns are not online… does the pierre cap-journal and w-town public opinino not have web sites ??? what gives??

I don’t think we should discuss Tim Johnson’s inablity to perform his job.

I can’t believe people are so busy with their day to day activities that they wouldn’t care that the person that is suppose to represent them can’t even perform his job. I have always thought people in SD were a little smarter than in other States, but if anyone votes(hires) for a guy that can’t perform his job is just plain dumb.

If Johnson could do his job he would debate.

The sad fact is that most voters regardless where they live do not understand the issues and then there is the apathy to contend with.

I do believe there is a difference with the parties even tho many in the media will say we are heading to middle ground.

There is a difference!

Feasant hit the nail on the head. If TJ could do his job, he would debate. I don’t understand why the libs are upset that Dykstra pushes the no debate issue. It’s huge. If I’m a plumber, and I can’t bend over to fix toilets or sinks because I have a bad back, how long will my employer let this go on for? If I am an attorney & I can’t read anything or speak clearly, how can I do my job anymore? TJ needs to hang it up!

As much as I used to enjoy this blog, it has regressed to a single issue - posts over and over about “Johnson won’t debate”. Each post has the same comments and the same commenters. How many times can PP say the same thing?

I’m just going to tune out entirely for a month or so, and when I come back we’ll see if there’s anything new here.

[Anon, I can't help it if you don't care for the heat, but whether you like it or not, I wouldn't be noting it repeatedly if it wasn't mentioned in the media. Repeatedly. Tim Johnson's refusal to debate has - for better or worse - become the number one issue in the race because of his campaign staff's ineptitude. They tried to defuse it, and it has blown up in their faces. Instead of people saying it doesn't matter, it is now the main topic in reference to this election. If you don't care to read, that's your choice. I can't blame you. I don't like to read about my candidate's campaigns going down the crapper, either.

-PP]

Publius- you are nuts. Johnson’s tour of the state is a charade and you have fallen for it. People can see Johnson, but they can’t talk to him and ask questions.

It’s true that most of the public doesn’t really follow politics day to day. It’s also true that one of the few issues they’ve been following, since it breaks tradition and is highly unusualy, is Senator Johnsons refusal / inability to debate. More than any other issue in this race, this is the one topic that always seems to come up and for most, it seems apparent that Senator Johnson is not up to the job he’s running for.

The decision not to debate is a calculated risk that will cost some votes. Some, but not everybody cares that much, and that seems to be the frustrating part for the GOP - that they can’t get the public outrage over the issue they want. If you don’t like it, don’t vote for him. Dykstra would do a little better giving people reasons to vote for him, rather than simply beating to death a reason not to vote for Johnson.

William, have you met the Senator this cycle?
Have any of you?
He’s been out and about, so don’t give me any lip about that. You’ve had opportunities, but how many of you have gone out to see in person if Johnson passes whatever odd litmus test you have?

It’s all sound and fury signifying nothing. Johnson beats Dykstra 60 to 40.

Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net

Its a real odd litmus test to actually debate in an election cycle, being I can’t remember the last election at this level that didn’t have a debate, so I will give you all the lip I see fit. At least have the guts to say your a hypocrit, because if this was Thune you would be out of your skin.

Again, my heart goes out to his family but his staff is making the argument that they alone should judge weather Dykstra has earned the right to debate. Johnson’s staff alone is the judge of the values and expectations of this election cycle and how dare we and all the media question there bias motives. Todd is quiet as can be after I’m sure the party hacks came down on him for his observation on this being a calculated political move but against the moral compass this hits with all of us. It’s a calculated politcal move that went against the good will the people of SD gave this staff and Mr Johnson after his horrific medical scare and has been thrown back in our face. I have no malice towards Mr Johnson but his staff has issues of integrity I believe.

Publis 6:33 “And if anything, it’s just going to prove that debates are pointless in our day and age.” Debates are pointless? You cannot find out what’s in a politician’s head by looking at scripted press releases and quibs of voting records. You cannot determine the politician’s ability to think on their feet and defend their positions by reading printed text. That is completely ridiculous and underlines the extent to which pro-TJ’s cover TJ with an illusion of competency when none exists.

people read newspapers to get news like this:

argusleader.com is reporting that hazardous materials crews have surrounded the Sioux Falls campaign office of Sen. Joel Dykstra

Todd do you think Johnson is capable of introducing legislation? I still think the reason Herseth was a no show at the State Convention is she wanted to be the Senate candidate. But with the polls showing Johnson ahead he got to stay. And if Johnson wins SD loses big time. We will have two voices and a yes person for Harry Reid, who could care less for South Dakota.

I will wager that this race is within 3.5%. Enough non educated people will give Johnson a sympathy vote.

I will be voting for a person that is capable of doing the job!

Epp 10:49 “It’s all sound and fury signifying nothing. Johnson beats Dykstra 60 to 40.”

Thanks oh political prophet. If that is true, then my prediction is: 60% of South Dakotans are ignorant, pathetic, what-can-the-government-do-for-me, pacifist sheepish morons who deserve nothing but which they earned: 51st in everything.

Duh: That is what I meant too, but wanted to write it a bit nicer. I would really like Todd to put it in writing that he thinks Johnson can do the job even though he is unable to participate in a large group setting.

I ran across this interesting quote; perhaps relevant to the discussion — as noted
by the United States Supreme Court, “Those who won our independence believed . . . that public
discussion is a political duty; and that this should be a fundamental principle of the American
government.” New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254, 270 (1964).

A relative of mine works at SD Mines & Tech, where Johnson and Thune were yesterday. According to my relative, it was very hard, next to impossible to understand Johnson when he made comments. This is probably why his actual public meetings are so carefully managed. If he can’t be understood when making spontaneous comments, he isn’t the right person to be our representative. Sorry, he’s a nice guy, but he isn’t the guy for this job any longer. And that’s what it simply boils down to. Photo ops do not a candidate make!

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