Archive for November, 2006
Is Bill Peterson in the hunt for SDGOP Chairman?
I had made a few inquiries, and one of them paid off tonight. It’s sounding more and more that former State House Majority Leader Bill Peterson might be considering a bid for chairman of the South Dakota GOP.
Bill would come with few negatives (as if there could be any) , and he might be the [...]
My godhood for a day
If you hadn’t noted it yet, I selected my topic over at Mt. Blogmore for my Mt. Blogmore godhood for a day. Go check it out.
Read it all at http://dakotawarcollege.blogspot.com - South Dakota’s Best Political Website.
KCCR News has a new website for up to date info on happenings in the Capitol City
Tony Mangan and KCCR news have started another home in addition to what they’re already doing over at OaheTv.com.
They’re finally up at their own website over at http://www.todayskccr.com.
Why should you care?
Given the fact he’s here in Pierre, and his access to many of the decision makers through years of being around the process, KCCR News [...]
Rapid City Journal this Morning - Don’t mess with the Initiated Measure Process
From today’s Rapid City Journal:
One proposed law would require the Secretary of State’s Office verify a random sample of 5 percent of the signatures on the petitions. Currently, state employees only check to see that the number of required signatures are gathered. This may take more work on the part of the Secretary of State’s [...]
And is it all falling apart now?
You know my recent post noting the new leadership configuration was possibly going to be:
Kenny McNenny - President Pro TemporeBob Gray - Majority LeaderJason Gant - Assistant Majority Leader
Well, not much more than a day later, I’m told this coalition is in danger of falling apart, if it hasn’t already. Apparently, some legislators who [...]
Freshman Rush starts next week
According to the Argus tonight, new legislators are going to get their crash course in freshman orientation 101 before the Governor’s Budget address:
New legislators elected on Nov. 7 learn where they’ll be sitting in the House and Senate and how to get bills drafted in an orientation on Monday.
Legislative Research Council Director Jim Fry said [...]
Campaign Finance Follies - You say PAC, I say Party
If you noticed me somewhat absent from the blogosphere last night, it was because I spent some time playing a game on my computer - the South Dakota campaign finance game. I wanted to get around to at least an initial assessment of how much the parties gave to each candidate. And from there, it’s [...]
Rob Regier leaving the SD Family Policy Council
I’ve had a couple of people forward me a note that Rob Regier is leaving the SD Family Policy Council. Rob has been there since it was only a fledgling organization in SD, so this marks a major change in style for the group.
Here’s what the note said:
Dear friends,
It is with sadness that I announce [...]
I got the Golden Ticket!
Actually, I won a lighthearted contest over on Mt. Blogmore for the new State Motto for the SD Quarter (which was something to the effect of the latin phrase for “pheasants don’t fly over mountains”). So now I get to pick a topic.
I’ve got a few ideas, mainly along the line of new media’s impact [...]
Think we’re a flash in the pan? Blogging and other new media are just continuing to grow in political influence
From the Hill.com, a very interesting article on where politics are continuing to shift:
Former Sen. John Edwards’s favorite books include “The Trial of Socrates,” “God’s Politics” and “Into Thin Air.” His favorite musician is Bruce Springsteen. His heroes are his wife, Elizabeth, and the American people.
How did this information about a likely 2008 presidential candidate [...]
NO! Pick Me. Pick Me.
Since PUC Commissioner Bob Sahr has resigned early, the Associated Press is reporting tonight that Governor Rounds is contemplating appointing Steve Kolbeck to the job early:
Gov. Mike Rounds says he’s thinking about appointing Democrat Steve Kolbeck, the winner of a Public Utilities Commission seat in the general election, to fill an unexpired term. [...]
Are they moving ahead, or just grasping at… Well, grasping at something.
The Associated Press is reporting that the Legislative Executive board is meeting with their attorney to review what, if anything, the Attorney General found in his investigation into allegations that State Senator Dan Sutton Sexually groped an 18 year old male legislative page:
A South Dakota legislative committee met privately Tuesday with the lawyer who [...]
SDSU on KELO?
The Argus is reporting tonight that KELO is in talks with SDSU to televise some of the games. (does that mean Brookings will be blacked out, or will I still have to freeze my tail off if I decide to go to a football game?):
South Dakota State associate athletic director Rob Peterson said Tuesday [...]
Rapid City Journal - Shaw the Plea Bargainer just leaves us flat.
In their editorial this morning, The Rapid City Journal seemed to say they would have preferred Robert E Howard’s brave and adventurous “Conan the Barbarian” to Rapid City’s “Shaw the Plea Bargainer”:
Shaw’s pre-turkey day press release announced that he was pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct and paying the $100 fine by [...]
Bob Sutton to be featured on 20/20
I had a note today that South Dakota Community Foundation Director Bob Sutton will be featured on 20/20 tomorrow night.
(No, not for that. Dateline does those)
Seriously, the focus of the story will be the difference in charitable giving between San Francisco (very high income) and Sioux Falls (relatively low income nationally), noting how South Dakotans [...]
My confirmation has yet to come.. So, with that understanding, here’s the latest rumor
I didn’t get the internal confirmation I was hoping for, so with that understanding, here’s the latest rumor of what the Senate leadership configuration will end up with.
Kenny McNenny - President Pro TemporeBob Gray - Majority LeaderJason Gant - Assistant Majority Leader
Why am I taking this seriously? I had a great source on it, but [...]
The final incarnation? Or will it change before the ink is yet dry?
I’m seeking confirmation at the moment, but I hear that a deal may have been struck among the caucus members to form the next GOP Senate Leadership team. And allegedly, this group has the votes to make it happen.
Stay tuned. As soon as I hear something more substantial, I’ll let you know.
Read it all at [...]
Jerstad a few votes down, but still on top.
The Argus is reporting it, but Todd Epp over at SD Watch has a first hand account of the events of the Jerstad/Earley Recount:
From the challenges by Earley’s attorney at the Canton recount, it appears they are going under a theory of disenfranchised voters. In Lincoln County, at least seven District 12 voters got [...]
Incoming Interns, and the Legislative Page bed check?
Tonight I was at the thank you event for the Vietnam War Memorial Dedication Volunteers. And I was fortunate enough to spend a few minutes talking with the young woman who interned for the Vietnam Dedication this summer who made it back for the event.
She was pleased as punch to tell me that she got [...]
Reader Suggestion time - people potential candidates should know
I’ve been noodling on a post that I’d like to do, but before I weigh in, I’d like to hear what the readers think.
If a political newbie showed up at your doorstep one day and said “I want to run for office” - Who are ten people involved in South Dakota partisan politics that [...]
