An evolving response from Scott Heidepriem on the SDGOP press release.
Without commenting on the back and forth involving the press release that went out from SDGOP regarding Scott Heidepriem, as “The Phoniest Man in SD,” one thing has caught my attention, and the latest story on the subject isn’t helping to clarify things.
Has anyone else noticed how his response to the charges made by the SDGOP have demonstrated Darwin’s theory of evolution? At least when it comes to talking with the press. As in, Heidepriem’s statements to the media have shown a strong tendency to evolve.
Obviously, we’re all familiar with the accusations leveled at him:
. canceling his country club membership;
. selling his BMW;
. selling his mansion in Sioux Falls;
. hiring man-of-the-people image guru Steve Jarding.
According to the first KELO story on the subject had him denying the claims. (7/27/09 9:41):
But the Republicans would not provide KELOLAND News with any documentation to back-up those claims, and Heidepriem denies those claims.
I doubt he was denying hiring Jarding, so we’ll ignore that one, because it’s considered a well known fact.
So at first blush, to KELOland, *he’s denying canceling his country club membership, *denying selling his BMW, and *denying selling his mansion. In fact, he confirmed the same statements the next day over at the Decorum Forum:
“The GOP attack tells you more about them than me. In the first place, it is fiction: I do not own a BMW, my house is not listed, and I am still a member of the same country club. So what is the point?
So, again….*he’s denying canceling his country club membership, *denying selling his BMW, and *denying selling his mansion.
Shortly thereafter, KDLT caught up with Heidepriem at the Minnehaha Country club where he provided another rock solid statement to the press:
…Heidepriem says with his youngest son college bound he might decide to sell his McKennan Park home, and he hasn’t driven a BMW for years. And we caught up with Heidepriem attending a fundraiser at the Minnehaha Country Club where he tells us he’s still a member.
Heidepriem says, “The whole list is bogus, but it shows really how desperate the republicans are.
Okay. I think we’re starting to see some evolution in the statement. This time, it’s a little different. *Again, he’s denying canceling his country club membership, *But notes that a few years ago he did sell his BMW, and *he might be thinking about selling his mansion. Okay. I think we have it straight.
Or not. Now, were going back to KELOland a day later for another article. This time, they dig into the charges that the SDGOP is making as they go after Heidepriem:
Republicans: Heidepriem cancelled his country club membership.
Heidepriem: He says he still has the membership but has downgraded it.
Republicans: Heidepriem is selling his BMW.
Heidepriem: The Democrat says he hasn’t owned a BMW in awhile and now drives a Volkswagen.
Republicans: Heidepriem is selling his ‘mansion’ in Sioux Falls.
Heidepriem: Heidepriem says his house in Sioux Falls is not for sale but his Okoboji home has been on the market since the beginning of the summer.
*Time to check the scorecard. Here he denies a cancellation, but notes that he downgraded his country club membership.*The fact he did sell his BMW, remains consistent. *But now it’s his condo at Lake Okoboji in Iowa that’s up for sale, not his mansion.
Whew! Glad that’s all settled.
Or not. Kevin Woster did a story on it as well in this weekend’s Rapid City Journal.
Heidepriem said he hadn’t canceled his membership to the Minnehaha Country Club. He and his wife, Susan, are “empty nesters” who have put their home in the McKennan Park neighborhood in Sioux Falls up for sale and are selling a condominium at Iowa’s Lake Okoboji.
As for the BMW, Heidepriem said, “I haven’t had a BMW in many years.”
Confused? You’re not the only one. Once again, he denies a cancellation, but any mention of the downgrade is out the window. *The fact he did sell his BMW a few years ago remains consistent. *But now in addition to his condo at Lake Okoboji in Iowa still being up for sale, we’re not just at the point where he’s thinking about the sale, it’s on the market.
NOW that’s settled.
At least, for today.
So, in light of those statements, and compared to the original charges, when you think about it, it looks like the worst error the SDGOP might be guilty of is misstating the country club membership issue as far as downgrade versus cancellation. If we’re to take Scott’s own words for it.
Compared to the first press on his response, where it was said ” Heidepriem denies those claims,” I think we can confirm that political press statement evolution is more than a theory. It’s a scientific fact.
Now about his statement this past session denying knowledge that his law firm was retained by the Flandreau Tribe…...
*Everyone’s knee jerk reaction aside, the point is simply about the evolution of the statement. As in, it should not have evolved. Much like the theory of creationism, it should have been created on one day, and simply “been.” (FYI, for religious scholars who will bring it up, I don’t personally prescribe to creationism theory)
Inconsistent statements on an issue are not something that is good for a candidate. On this issue, we’ve gone from flat denial on all points to a near admission on many of them.
Not necessarily the kind of campaign kickoff that candidates want.
(* I had this under comments, but it was so good, I added it, as I should have thought of it in the first place.)
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Comments
PP, I think you coined the term we should be using in discussing his multiple responses – “Heide-spin.”
This has got to be one of the most bungled political announcements I’ve ever seen. Not only does Heidepriem get tangled up in a whole discussion of his country club and his mansions, he does NOT TELL THE TRUTH in his answers. He denies, denies, denies (was the Jarding’s advice) and now has to admit the statements were true
Also from the RCJ article:
“Munsterman didn’t approve of the tone of the attack on Heidepriem.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said. “The Democrats did it to Steve Kirby prior, and unfortunately, it happened again this year from our party. I think both parties have to cut it out. We just don’t need that.”
I guess nobody’s told Scott’s campaign manager about this part yet, huh, PP?
Or is Munsterman just encouraging YOU to do this little piece of nasty business it so HE can appear to be above the fray?
Heidepriem made a sucker out of KELO-Land, who reported his denials and now they look stupid because they reported erroneous information. Who is the genius who told Heidepriem to not tell the truth right from the beginning??
Hey Bill Fleming: through some small miracle, could you at least admit that Heidepriem was not forthcoming when he denied what the state party said? For example, at first he denied selling his McKennan Park home, now he says it’s for sale. Isn’t that changing his story?
I’m not sure what angers me more – the absolute hypocrisy in the GOP’s statements or the fact that there is not a single issue discussed in all of this.
I am sorry, but if he was still a republican, then none of these “charges” would have been laid on him. The fact that he has been successful should be applauded, not degraded. Also – is there any single issue talked about here? ANYWHERE? Not one.
Also – I am not sure what is worse, the original statement or the fact that you keep trying to “prove” that the statement was correct. The original press release said that he was “phoney” because he sold his membership, sold his bmw, and is selling his mansion.” All of those statements imply that he is doing this to help his image – which means he is doing them NOW or just recently. Yes he sold his BMW…YEARS AGO! The press release implies that he just did before he declared his candidacy for governor – FALSE. Second, he is not selling his mansion – the thought has crossed his mind, but why should that matter? The press released implied that he was selling it to improve his image – in fact it is NOT on the market. Does that mean it won’t be? No, but the fact remains that the original implication that it was for sale to improve his image is FALSE! Finally, he is STILL a member of Minnehaha Country Club. He has downgraded his membership – gee let me think why…maybe because he is too busy to golf as much as he wanted to – which happens ALL THE TIME! If you know anything about golfing and membership you know that you only have so much time – if you don’t have as much then you downgrade your membership. Again – the statement that he “cancelled his country club membership” – is FALSE!
There were only two things that the original press release had correct – that he is working with Steve Jarding and that he switched parties several years ago. Again, what is wrong with switching parties. Guess what, the GOP has lost A LOT of people over the years because of their policies. People have begun to realize that they don’t want to be a part of it. I am sure the Democratic Party has also lost a lot of people as well – this does not make someone “phoney” it just means that they didn’t like what their party was doing and wanted to change.
This is why I can’t stand politics and a lot of the blogs out there – this is not a discussion of issues that actually matter to me as a citizen of South Dakota. How about discussing things that will actually affect me as a voter. But no, the media, the political insiders and the bloggers continue to look at superficial things because it helps them increase their sales, their donations to their cause and their hits to their website. Seriously, this is one reason why I respect the blog South Dakota Politics – I may disagree with them, but at least they are intelligent and discuss actual issues.
Bill –
I think Scott’s statement in the article speaks for himself, and my own statement on the matter (http://dakotawarcollege.com/archives/9375) speaks for myself.
The politics of class warfare don’t serve either party well.
All I’m doing in this post is examining the fluidity of Scott H’s response(s) to the questions. They’re his own statements and they’re not entirely consistent. I would think you’d be the first to agree that inconsistent statements on the part of a politician are an area that are fair game for people in the media to question. Even New media.
I had a few doubts at first about the release, but now it’s clear what the party was driving at: Heidepriem is slippery and a double-talker and will say what he has to say to get elected. By being evasive, Heidepriem just proved exactly what the party was saying.
Travis said
“Hhe is not selling his mansion – the thought has crossed his mind, but why should that matter? The press released implied that he was selling it to improve his image – in fact it is NOT on the market.”
But Heide told Woster:
He and his wife, Susan, are “empty nesters” who have put their home in the McKennan Park neighborhood in Sioux Falls up for sale and are selling a condominium at Iowa’s Lake Okoboji.
Better get your story straight. Your guy told the Rapid City Journal that home is on the market.
I think getting into the nitty gritty of this nonsense — and it is nonsense — makes the GOP attacks look more desperate.
That said, Heidepriem shouldn’t have talked to the press himself but should have used a spokesperson. That part was bungled. The candidate should never get into the gutter with the rats.
But let us pretend that all the claims the GOP made were true and factual. And let us pretend that Heidepriem completely bungled the response. Then take an honest look at this situation. This is where the GOP wants the campaign to go. They don’t want to talk about the state of Pierre or the future of South Dakota. Because if that is where the campaign leads, they have a good chance of losing. As long as they can keep the race muddled and ugly, their registration advantage will probably carry them through.
So, your point is????
What is the big deal about one’s car (I just bought a new one!), where one lives (not a mansion, but almost paid off), and whether I have a country club membership (I gave that up cause I used up all my good strokes). Let’s get to issues PP!
the state party was, I gather, trying to get across that Heidepriem is a bit of a chameleon. they used the word “phony,” which is rough, but it gets the point across. And Heidepriem’s response to this is to give clever, lawyer-like answers that aren’t the whole truth. The state party was right about heidepriem – case closed.
i’m all for discussing issues, but a candidate’s basic honesty and truthfulness matters too in the long run because issues change and we need leadership. This whole incident sure indicates that Heidepriem is very comfortable not telling the truth and some trivial things that he should have just answered truthfully.
Maybe Scott answered the way he did when 1st asked because it didn’t seem(and isn’t) a big deal. What is getting to be a big deal is all of these answers.
DD, everyone’s knee jerk reaction aside, the point is simply about the evolution of the statement. As in, it should not have evolved. Much like the theory of creationism, it should have been created on one day, and simply “been.”
(FYI, for religious scholars who will bring it up, I don’t personally prescribe to creationism theory)
Inconsistent statements on an issue are not something that is good for a candidate. On this issue, we’ve gone from flat denial on all points to a near admission on many of them.
Not necessarily the kind of campaign kickoff that candidates want.
Without shouting at me, can the Democrats explain (sincerely, I have an open mind and want to understand) to me what happened here? Why wouldn’t Scott just refuse to go here or just admit what was true? To take the route of giving these odd and changing answers seems like a really bad idea. It makes no sense and he’s a smart guy.
Do you have the MLS listing on Scott’s house, PP?
Hey, maybe you can make a buck or two, huh?
You could run free ads for it here, for example.
Who is phlemming working for? I noticed he was the “go to guy” for the blogs with the extended Heidepriem attack on the GOP.
And also, if you also ran some pix, PP, maybe we could decide for ourselves whether Scott’s house was a “mansion.” What IS a mansion anyway, PP?
Bill, I’d love a sale of that size. I’m sure it’s a nice place.
If Scott wants to run ads here for his house or even his campaign, I’ve long been open to advertising from both parties.
Depends on the traditional sense, versus the contemporary.
I’d consider the Governor’s residence (despite denials) a Mansion, although some would deride it as a McMansion.
It’s mainly based on square footage.
Not that I have a lot of experience with luxury homes. I very happily deal mainly with first time home buyers and people downsizing.
I would only add that it is common knowledge in Sioux Falls that Heidepriem has been preparing to run for statewide office for the past 2-3 years, or since he was elected to the state legislature in 2006. Since then he’s been taking steps to get ready, like shedding the BMW. As for the houses/mansions in McKennan Park and Okiboji, I think he’s selling those to finance his campaign for governor, so in a way they are quite relevant to this campaign.
11:08
Not currently hired to work on any Gov candidate’s race.
The Decorum Forum has done interviews with two Gov. candidates, plus one who’s thinking about it, and one candidate for House.
The only one who’s even remotely offered to hire me is Gordon Howie, and I think he was just pulling my leg. Gordo’s like that, you know.
p.s. Here’s how you’ll know if I get a gig with any candidate. I’ll stop commenting and blogging on the topic. On the candidate, hi/hers opponents, the race, what the state needs for a governor, all of it. You won’t hear zip from me. That’s how I do it.
I’ll agree that this fiasco doesn’t exactly make Heidepriem look good. Not that the voters will care about any of the Republicans ridiculous charges, but that Heidepriem seems to be waffling on them rather than offering a straight answer. If you can’t offer a straight explanation in 10 seconds or less, South Dakotans don’t want to hear it.
He should have simply said, “I don’t get what any of these accusations have to do with anything,” and then never brought it up again.
Bill – I have no idea. That’s the Sioux Falls MLS. Now, that’s assuming it’s even on the MLS. He could be doing for sale by owner.
I am very disturbed by this beginning to Heidepriem’s candidacy. He needs to clarify what the truth is.
“Not necessarily the kind of campaign kickoff that candidates want.”
Please, PP, spend all your time focusing on asinine issues like whether or not a country club membership was “downgraded” or “cancelled”, and whip yourself into a fury about how long ago he sold his American-made family sedan for another American-made family sedan.
HEAVEN FORBID you disagree with him on an issue. No no no. Can’t have that. Spend your time focusing on something REALLY important, like whether or not he’s still a Netflix subscriber.
And the SDGOP tucking it’s tail between it’s legs & retracting all it’s claims? Yeah, keep pretending that didn’t happen either.
But thanks for giving Scott Heidepriem all the free press to the 14 people who read this blog.
Braden, do you understand how much candidates have to pay to get statewide name ID? This is a gift from heaven for Scott, courtesy of the SDGOP.
Think about it. As far as the average SD Joe is concerned, the only candidate for Gov right now is Heidepriem.
In fact, I bet if you did a statewide poll right now and asked the question “Ok, SD Who’s running for Governor,” Scott’s would be the first name mentioned by the majority of respondents.
That’s priceless name ID.
And Scott didn’t spend a dime to get it.
It was all courtesy of the SD GOP and the MSM.
Tommy, are you sure I’m not married to you? That’s what my wife used to say about the readers. About 4 years ago.
Aside from that, what fury are you talking about?
The only thing I’m looking at is the consistency of his statement. Or lack thereof.
I would note that this thread is getting the kind of comments I’d get a year or so ago by doing a post on abortion.
ya bf, people will remember heidepriem as the guy who can’t shoot straight. remembering a candidate’s name is one thing. it’s quite another to associate him with dishonesty.
i didn’t like the original press release and the party’s response to heide’s half-truth denials, but he is looking bad on this one.
and thanks braden for the honesty.
lexrex. No they won’t. You might. They won’t. Let’s compare notes when it’s over and see how good your crystal ball is, ok, lr?
“The only thing I’m looking at is the consistency of his statement. Or lack thereof.”
Funny how you pay no attention to the SDGOP backpedalling their press release.
Oh, wait, they help you pay the bills around here.
They do? You must know something I don’t because they don’t have any ads here.
Of course if you disagree, in a similar manner, given the tenor of your past and present comments, I could assume you’re the SDDP’s paid blog troll.
You’re right, my bad, only John Thune & Scott Munsterman run ads here.
Now, try a little bit of intellectual honesty, and feel free to address the fact that the SDGOP backpedaled their press release.
Tommy any truth to you being a paid SDDP’s blog troll? I can’t get over how people even care about this he said this no that. I mean the election is when?
Isn’t your demand for intellectual honesty like the pot calling the kettle black?
I don,t recall you ever being anything but in the tank for anyone or anything with a “d”behind their name.
The Democratic spinners here can’t keep the basic facts straight:
1) Heidepriem denied he was selling his house
2) then Heidepriem admitted he was selling both his house in McKennan Park and Okoboji
3) Heidepriem denied he had a BMW
4) then Heidepriem said he had a BMW but had sold it
5) Heidepriem said he did nothing to change his Minnehaha Country Club membership
6) then he admitted he had “downgraded” his Country Club membership
This is what you call LYING until you get caught.
Fleming and Tommy Paine are like Obama-style community organizer rabble rousers whose mission is to yell, distract, and create as much confusion as possible so that the truth can’t be determined.
But it’s clear in this case that Heidepriem’s first denials were in fact UNTRUE. Nothing should divert you from this fact, despite the screaming Democratic trolls’ attempt fog the air.
I’m done with the Heidepriem fellow. I never understood how he thought he could just sweep into our party and take over everything after being on TV spouting all the REpublican malarkey all those years on KELO. I don’t trust him. Let’s find someone else.
“I don,t recall you ever being anything but in the tank for anyone or anything with a “d”behind their name.”
Maybe because the only candidate I’ve supported/defended on this blog was Scott Heidepriem?
I had to hold my nose to vote for Tim Johnson in ‘08, haven’t voted for Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin since ‘04, and I have yet to go an election cycle without voting for a Republican in one office or another.
The GOP owns you. Nobody owns me.
But I appreciate your tacit acknowledgement that you don’t dare criticize the SDGOP.
this an a major embarassment that the South Dakota Democratic Party does not need. Can we get a real Democrat to run for office please?
Tommy-
Go away if you think this blog doesnt shape politics in any way/shape or form in this state.
“But thanks for giving Scott Heidepriem all the free press to the 14 people who read this blog.”
Better yet, go create your own blog rather then Troll here. If you want to admit it or not, this is the most popular BLOG in SD. Your ilk is what’s wrong with politics today and has dishonored the profession. Why attack PP?
“Better yet, go create your own blog rather then Troll here.”
I call PP out for holding a blatent double standard, and instead of addressing the claim, I get called a troll. Beautiful.
“If you want to admit it or not, this is the most popular BLOG in SD.”
Sounds like being the smartest kid in summer school.
“Your ilk is what’s wrong with politics today and has dishonored the profession. Why attack PP?”
My ilk?? PP does nothing but attack Scott Heidepriem, and the second I ask him to acknowledge that the SDGOP is fully engaged in the very tactics that PP scorns (classic case of projecting), I “dishonor the profession” of “commenting on a blog”.
Please.
“Why attack PP?” ymous, because sometimes PP is a very naughty boy.
We don’t attack him, by the way, we just discipline him.
Tough love, and all that.
Tommy, if you don’t like it, no one is forcing you to read or comment.
As you being owned, I think you’re owned by your narrow point of view and lack of information.
If you had read this website for any length of time, I think you’ll find I have been quite the thorn in the SDGOP’s side in the past. But you’ll have to get past your own partisanship to acknowledge that.
“We don’t attack him, by the way, we just discipline him.
Tough love, and all that.”
Exactly.
If PP wants to be taken seriously, he ought to try being intellectually honest.
“If PP wants to be taken seriously, he ought to try being intellectually honest.” That sounds like a lot of self loathing to me.
Very good Braden. As I look to the future with this event, I believe the right GOP primary campaign will have great value in defeating Heide as the press will forget about him while they sort out the GOP. As a party convert myself, I can say from experience that converts do not get the vote from those you think you will. I believe that will be a distinct disadvantage to both Heide and Knudson. A united GOP will handily come home to Pierre for Gov.
Tommy boy, I believe you are on the payroll. How about an honest answer? I respect PP as I share a disgruntlement with the GOP for swaying from the deep rooted principles. You come out of the darkness and into the night with guns blazing about the time Heide hits the dirt. Payroll or??????
Certainly Tommy Paine is Steve Jarding or in the alternative, one of Jarding’s thugs. He’s trying to control the message in the one place it is being discussed.
I still think it is a dumb argument. It was one that shouldn’t have been made. Dems are in trouble and Heidepreim is a dem in a red state. The SD GOP should just take it easy! I love the people working there but we don’t need to be this agressive.
Obviously Heidepreim is taking an issue that caused a lot of people (GOP, Independants and Dems) to go wow the GOP is way over the top and turning it into an inspire the base issue.
Which is not smart because it makes everyone say what a weak crybaby of a lawyer.
I think the way he is using this issue to rile up the base shows that Dems are hesitant abotu supporting a former Republican.
in all cases this is not what the 2010 gov race should be about.
None of what was attacked matters to me and Mr. Fleming and his helpers know this of me and most of others of my mind. I won’t vote for young Mr. Heidepriem not because his car or house or golf score or even his swell hair. I won’t vote for Heidepriem because he comes of as disengenuous and smarmy in his legislation and public comments.
PP,
Why don’t you try selling a house up in the Brooksing area or keep moonlighting for Munsterman… your constant pandering to the wack-job blogger wing of both parties is laughable. Remember when War College was revelant and cutting edge? This blog started to south in ‘08 and its taking on real water here as we work are way up to 2010.
Get real dude.
(I think I’ve told you before, if you don’t like it, don’t read it. -PP)
Comment by Anon on August 3, 2009 @ 10:49 am
“why was Heidepriem’s first instinct to lie about these things? that’s the real story here”
Why was the GOP’s first instinct to personally attack a candidate instead attacking on relevant political issues? that’s the real story here.
Pat,
For all the Heidepriem defenders on his selling assets that symbolize that he is wealthy, I think you should do a paste and cut of the attacks on Steve Kirby which was done by the Democrat party and if I recall correctly Jarding. I didn’t like what was done to Kirby and I don’t like that the GOP made this an issue about Heidepriem.
But, I expecially despise the crying after what was done to Kirby and not a SINGLE liberal poster came to Kirby’s defense.
P.S. I am not impressed that Scott’s first response to being called to task for selling assets (unfair attack in my mind) to at best obfuscate and at worst to lie.
As always, Troy sums it up well. The Dems just looked the other way when Kirby was attacked in the same mold. At least myself and others can see that the attack on wealth was foolish except in the mold of rough politics that I’m not a big fan of. But his re-butal is what leaves me scratching my head and wondering did the SDGOP know something I didnt. The hood that Scott lives in is one of the few neignborhood’s in SD that you can sell your house by word of mouth. Alot of private sells are done this way. I’ve heard rumblings of this for some time. So the whole “for sell sign” isnt completely accurate in this neighborhood.
Tommy-if 15 prople is all that read this blog, then why do you bother with us? Just askin as Epp says. Also, Epp was the only defender that I can recall of the BS that Jarding did to Kirby.
I can sum up this argument with one phrase:
“Mom, he started it!!”
both sides knock it off. The GOP was wrong to criticize Heidepriem for allegedly having his house listed, selling his car and cancelling his membership. The SDDP was equally wrong for allegedly stalking Kirby in the pre-primary to running for Johnson’s seat. Two wrongs don’t make a right and PP, if you had an ounce of credibility you would have denounced the GOP’s attack instead of trying to defend it.
Mr. Kniffen –
My Credibility?
I believe I weighed in on what the SDGOP did a few days ago: http://dakotawarcollege.com/archives/9375
Care to point out any criticism of the SDDP over their tactics with Kirby that you’ve made before today?
I wouldn’t be getting comfortable in your house of cards yet. It looks pretty flimsy, and it is soon to be falling.
Troy: Thanks for the defense. I appreciate it.
I did denounce the Kirby stalking. I also denounce the SDGOP’s smearing of Heidepriem. We’re too small of a state to stand for the stupidity that our respective parties sometimes perpetrate in our names.
Todd Epp
Middle Border Sun
http://www.middlebordersun.com
I just wanted to be the 80th comment on this topic!!! What is the record for most comments on one posting?
Well said Todd. There has to be those on the right and the left that can acknowlege when something has gone “out of bounds” and these are both examples of that.
Heidepriem’s changing answers and double-talk and just plains fibs are dizzying. I guess that’s why he’s a rich trial lawyer.