Changes afoot at the SDWC. This is going to seem like walking a tightrope.
I got about 3 or so hours of sleep last night as my adrenaline and my brain were working overtime.
After having gone through a great period of disinterest after my friend Lee had dropped out of the race for Governor several months ago now, I found myself quite adrift, and spent a lot of time looking at what the candidates had to offer. And it was tough, because I do like them all personally.
I think I’ve mentioned before that I think Dennis Daugaard is an honorable man. I think Dave Knudson is a good guy, and so is Ken Knuppe. But none of their campaigns really set me on fire. I kept coming back and liking what Scott Munsterman had to say. I had to get past the fact he doesn’t come from the modern mold of a South Dakota Gubernatorial candidate, but given our state’s dismal financial condition, it might be time to break some molds and stereotypes.
There are lots of good reasons to do that. In fact, there are about $100 million that come to mind.
The clincher was yesterday, after I read the Mercer article on the Regents interviewing the two Gubernatorial candidates. Dennis wasn’t as impressive as one would expect a politico of over a decade of experience to be. Knudson’s proposal for a “sales tax on medical services” offends my sensibilities as a fiscal conservative. A tax on sick people? Then there was the hubris of a gubernatorially appointed panel interviewing candidates.
All of that confirmed to me that it’s time for a change. It’s time to consider things that are a little bit different. It’s time to look beyond the candidate endorsed and annointed by his predecessor, and it’s time to look beyond a candidate who can raise a ton of money, but holds some political views which are far from conservative.
So, last night after a long discussion with Scott Munsterman on the issues, his positions, and the race, I signed on to his campaign. As in, “key-to-the-office, working-to-get-him-elected” signed on.
There will be an official announcement coming soon. Suffice it so say, I’m not the computer or blog guy. I’ll tease you with just that much.
Scott is a man of integrity, and is conservative on the issues. He’s very Reagan-eqsue in communicating those views, and does not compromise what he believes. He’s energized by the campaign trail, and going out to meet the people is not a chore for him.
Sure he’s viewed as an underdog at the moment. So was another guy from Brookings, as he ran against the Lt. Governor, a former Congressman, and the sitting Secretary of State. It can be done.
It’s a leap of faith as working on any campaign can be. But it feels right.
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What does all this mean for the SDWC? I’ll still cover the campaigns, but at least as far as the Governor’s race, I’ll be attempting to walk a tightrope of fairness (of which I’m sure you all will remind me if I’m stepping out of line).
I’ll have to figure it out as I go. But I wanted to make sure that we’re all on the same page about it.
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Comments
Pat:
Congratulations and good luck. But like you need another job? 
I agree, I think Scott offers some fresh perspectives to the state.
Now, if I can just get my man crush Mike Huether to pull the trigger on an office! 
Scott made a good choice by hiring you. I know you’ll do a good job for him. You have much to offer him.
Best regards,
Todd Epp
SD Watch http://www.southdakotawatch.net
“it’s time to look beyond a candidate who can raise a ton of money, but holds some political views which are far from conservative.”
I assume we’re talking about Lt. Gov Daugaard? Could someone give me some examples? I’m not trying to be a smart aleck, I’d like to get educated on it.
Tricky stuff, Pat. Good luck on that tightrope. It will be interesting to see how you manage this on all fronts.
Why should you manage anything, PP? It’s your blog. Why feel like you have to be fair? Right now, you are more fair than your lefty blogger counterparts by giving space to guys like the former head of the SDDP.
Pat:
Good luck. Everyone has a timeline for choosing horses in elections. Because you love campaigns and campaign strategy, I understand why your timeline is earlier than mine. I am glad that you’ll continue to raise issues for the rest of us to discern our horse so we can select one with the greatest information and perspective possible.
Elections matter and issues matter. Each of the candidates offer different stands on the issues, priorities, strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, issues define which candidates we as individuals will decide are best for the times. For me, I’m not sure that there is enough clarity on what the issues will be, the proposed ideas by the candidates, and their capacity to affect these particular issues. I’m looking forward to this campaign for the clarity to develop.
I resemble that remark, Anon!
I will watch with great interest, Pat. I’m less worried about your fairness—I actually agree with potshot-Anon that it’s your blog, and you have no obligation to pretend you are not a partisan. I’m more worried about the day when the Munsterman machine calls and says, “We’re paying the bills, so we need you to tone down your rhetoric on Issue X.” Will we end up hearing less from you? We don’t want you disappearing into the back office like Jon Lauck did; we want your voice out here, where we can wrassle with you.
no surprise… I predicted this move weeks ago when PP touted Munsterman as the new conservative in the race (which was laughable considering Munsterman’s pro-tax record as mayor). At least now PP is being honest about his bias. As far as walking the tight line in the future- don’t kid yourself PP. It is impossible to be fair when you are getting paid by one of the candidates. I recommend you be up front about your bias and blog away with the disclaimer that you work for the campaign. Or you can do what Kranz did and not report on the Governor’s race at all. Best of luck.
Anon –
(At least as far as I know) I’m not getting paid for anything. I’m doing it because I believe. And as I mentioned before, this blog reflected(s) my personal exploration of the candidates, and the other guy, while good people, just weren’t doing it for me.
Congratulations! This is your blog, which happens to be the BEST, so you can do whatever you want. I know you will be fair to all, it is just your nature.
I knew this Governor’s race was going to be exciting! May the best person win!
Anon 12:36:
Unlike Pat , I have absolutely no horse in this race and think each candidate has unique strengths and weaknesses.
I don’t think one can necessarily translate one’s local views to their views at the state level. Most people don’t question my capitalist, low government spending, low tax views. This said, if there is a need for a government service, I can be convinced to increase local taxes to fund the need because I know that once the need is met, I have the best chance of having the program terminated and taxes go down. The farther the program gets from local control, the more expensive and less effective it seems to become.
It is for this reason, I think we need to hear from each candidate on their views toward state governance and not apply “labels” because of what they did at a local government level or how they feel about national issues.
Pat – I know you’ll make the race exciting and you’re astute enough to know the potential of promoting an “outsider” with real life executive experience in this primary. I agree that Lee would have made the campaign much more lively, but you’ve got the right skill set to engineer a coup against a sitting lieutenant governor from Minnehaha County with a candidate from Brookings. I think Troy and I remember another such primary and candidate.
Well, PP, in all fairness I think my blog has probably hurt our tax petition drive more then helped it. I don’t exactly mince words when speaking about how our fine city politicos do business. I hope you can stay truthful in your support of Munsterman. I still think the best Republican candidate is Knuppe, but a handlebar mustache and ten gallon hat don’t sell well in Minnehaha county. I did have to laugh when Knuppe did his interview on KSFY, he wasn’t wearing the hat, but totally had ‘hat hair’. Gotta love it!
Good for you, Pat. While I’m getting to the age where I marvel at the energy of someone signing on to staff a campaign and think, likewise, they must be somewhat out of their minds, I’m glad there are folks like you out there with the fire still burning brightly.
I hate handlebar mustaches. They look like they’ve been dipped in too many bowls of soup or something. Ick.
And Detroit, a real pot-kettle moment with the “predictable” thing. Takes one to know one.
Munsterman?
Pat because you are interested in him I’m going to listen closer at Beadle Counties Lincoln Day.
I’m not committed but this makes it more compelling for neautral fols to look closer at munsterman.
Best of Luck
As I’ve said before, I heard Munsterman at our local Lincoln Day Dinner, and he was a refreshing breath of air after the same predictable political speeches. I will be following him closely too. He has ideas, isn’t afraid to try different things, and isn’t closely tied to the present political machine.
I haven’t decided yet, PP, but I’ll give your man Munsterman every possible consideration as I learn more about him.
Nice to see that the obserations others and I have made about “your man Munsterman” have come to fruition. You may not have “drunk the Koolaid” as of the other day, but the rest of us saw you edging that vat closer and closer to you. We just didn’t know you’d chug it like while at a sorority keg party.
Good luck in your new job(s)/role(s)!
Good luck Pat. It’s not a tightrope you’ll be walking. It’s a razor’s edge.
When I was considering a run for council here in Rapid, I asked RC Weekly editor how he wanted to handle my column while I was running. His response was the honorable and correct thing to say:
“What column?”
You can participate in politics by reporting on it, or by being a part of what gets reported upon. You can’t do both and maintain credibility.
Pat,
I you work overtime and pull your hair out trying to be fair and objective while, at the same time, working for a conservative candidate, the liberals will call you mean, unfair and biased.
If you do as have been doing and call the shots as you see them the liberals will call you mean, unfair and biased.
Do what is right and ignore the liberal peanut gallery. They will never complement you.
10:28, that’s comparing apples and oranges, and you know it. This is a blog, for Pete’s sake. There’s no expectation or obligation for so-called “fairness.”
SDWC may be honorable intentions, but why is it always Republicans who have to adapt? When the lefty blogs in the SD sphere start following the SDVC’s attempt at “fairness,” then we’ll talk. But it ain’t gonna happen.
the “predictable” thing
Sorry, I’m a registered indy, I can endorse anyone without being a shill for a party.
8:49, I was referring to your predictable use of “Moose” and “Palin” in the same sentence, “Dick” as a body part when referring to Cheney, etc.
Well, this announcement certainly will have an impact on my choice. I haven’t had a dog in this fight, but now I’m certainly leaning. PP got on board with Rounds early, too. I thought that was crazy. PP has got an eye for these kind of things.
PP, from what I’ve heard, Munsterman is a little wishy-washy on gun issues. Could you get his on gun registration clarified for us? We’d also like to know more about where he stands on smaller government and property rights issues. Could you help us there? Right now Scott seems to be the best option we have, but we were snookered before by Rounds and don’t intend to have that happen again.