Archive for June, 2008
Rounds on blender pump issue:”You’ve got to learn how to read legislation, folks.”
In the Argus Leader, Dave Kranz has a glimpse at the Governor’s difference of opinion with legislators on Ethanol blender pumps… And a host of other issues:
Lawmakers, he said, killed a related proposal during the legislative session “out of plain ignorance … and I think most of them (are) now saying, ‘Oops, now what do [...]
Legislators take aim at the big chair, with a big committee shaped scope
The legislature is taking aim at the Governor’s office with regards to his “creative funding” of the laptop initiative after they had earlier rejected such a proposal:
Laptop funding questions have been floating since Rounds came up with the money. Today Legislators aimed those questions straight at the Governor’s office.
“Did we use general funds in lieu [...]
I made the fives on 10. As well as being an unfavored child.
I see I made the Rapid City Journal feature “The Fives” for my comments on Initiated Measure 10, as well as being the Charlie Brown of the Republican party:
1. More convention action from the GOP’s red headed stepchild
Think all politics are red vs. blue? Well, in a Republican dominated state such as South Dakota, much [...]
They must have been registered at Wal-Mart to manage this one.
Roll call has an interesting story this AM on congresspeople, weddings, and the cheap gifts that must have had to have been given to Congresswoman Herseth at the point when she appended Sandlin on to her name:
(On Front page of Roll Call this AM)
Among the half-dozen House lawmakers who said “I do” in 2007, none [...]
Do you think they’ll use this piece at the DEM convention this weekend?
The “Open and Clean” Government (nee Closed and Corrupt) people used this piece at the GOP Convention. Think they’ll use it this weekend at the DEM Convention?
Click on the image to enlarge.
I made the news on the Initiated Measure 10 resolution
From the Aberdeen American News:
Delegates to the Republican State Convention have approved a resolution urging voters to reject a ballot measure billed as an attempt to create a clean and open government.
The resolution opposing the ballot measure passed on a strong voice vote after some delegates said the proposed law would prevent many reputable organizations [...]
Shades of 2010 were very evident at the convention
The Scent of 2010 was strongly in the air during the 2008 Convention, as you can see in evidence here from Rich Sattgast’s very visible signs announcing his intention to run for State Treasurer upon being term limited out from his position of State Auditor in 2010. And he wasn’t the only one.
His apparent opponent, [...]
The New National Committeeman/Committeewoman team
Effective in Spetember after the GOP convention, here’s the new team representing the SDGOP with the national party - Dana Randall & Mary Jean Jensen
SDCAC/Open and Clean Government Shot down at the GOP Convention. And they’re not very happy about it.
From my e-mail box:
SOUTH DAKOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY SAYS THEY SUPPORTOPEN AND CLEAN GOVERNMENT BUT VOTE THE OPPOSITE
SD GOP WENT ON RECORD TODAY DEFENDING GOVERNMENT SECRECY, TAXPAYER FUNDS BEING USED IN POLITICAL PROCESS, AND WASTEFUL GOVERNMENT SPENDING BY OPPOSING INITIATIVE #10
Oacoma, SD - In a traditional establishment move the SD GOP opposed the common sense [...]
Dana Randall Wins!
With a combination of both large and small counties, and a divided Minnehaha, Dana Randall pulled off a win with just over 53% of the vote.
Mere words fall short in trying to thank Ron Schmidt enough for his many, many years of service in the role of National Committeeman, as well as the hard work [...]
Drake Olson gives Dana Randall Nomination Speech
National Committeeman Nominations are in play, and Drake Olson provided the first nomination for Dana Randall for that office.
This was followed by Eldon Jensen and Jason Williams.
The Ron Paul people are nominating Kevin Houston from McCook County, which leaves the Ron Schmidt slate.
The Nominating speech is being given by Sandy Kading,
who comes in with [...]
My Remarks on the resolution opposing Initiated Measure 10
Ladies and Gentlemen, Initiated measure 10 precludes the family members of government contract holders from donating to political campaigns. As the spouse of a person working under a contract from a school district, this would prevent me - a 20 year activist for the GOP - from donating to the candidate of my choice?
I cannot [...]
My Stock must be rising.
Ooo. My stock is at least in good standing among my fellow delegates.
I’ve agreed to speak in favor of a resolution opposing Initiated measure #10 - the open and clean government act. Because it would directly affect my ability to donate to candidates for the mere fact my wife works under a contract to the [...]
More convention action from the GOP’s red headed stepchild.
I thought I’d share a photo of the empty convention hall so you can see where the Brookings Delegation (me) was seated as of yesterday’s events and activities.
Because if I took a photo of where my delegation has been seated this AM, I’m not sure you could see the podium. Let’s just say that [...]
Tomorrow’s big controversy - Open and Clean?
It sounds like tomorrow’s big platform/resolution controversy will be over the South Dakotans for Open and Clean Government and their ballot measure. Apparently, a resolution opposing the measure - much like the JAIL measure was opposed in 2006 - will be introduced tomorrow for delegates to discuss, debate, and vote on.
The issue for me gets [...]
That report in Kranz’s column? I hear it was all BS
Big word tonight on the “We were REALLY going to have a debate.” controversy with Dakotafest.
What I’m told by the people on the ground was that report in Kranz’s column was utter nonsense. There was to be no debate until others started asking embarassing questions of Dakotafest’s organizers as to whether the rumor I posted [...]
When it comes time to demonstrate class, there’s one person in Rapid City who knows how to bring it to the gutter.
I’m so absolutely appaled by this, that I can scarcely believe it as truth. But, my sources were direct witnesses to it. And they were left reeling in an uncomfortable moment caused by someone without a lick of class.
The West River Republican Victory office was just opened recently, and Republicans came from all around to [...]
SDWC Endorsement for GOP National Committeeman: Dana Randall
When it’s time to vote for National Committeeman at convention this year, it’s a choice I’m forced to ponder for a while as I have to select between Ron Schmidt and Dana Randall.
Ron, I’ve known long ago since my days of youth. I grew up with his son, Ethan, and we all lived in the [...]
Boy, I just flew in from Brookings, and my arms are tired.
I finally have my laptop (thanks for your cast-off computer equip, dad), and I’m live and blogging about convention.
I got here in time to go to the reception and speech by Senator Thune at the SD Hall of fame, as well as to editorialize a ‘titch’ regarding one of it’s inductees…
Oddly enough, the old [...]
Why do they always leave the name out?
In Dave Kranz’s Argus Column this AM, “a blog rumor” is referred to. But why do they always leave the name of the blog out?
Todd Benz, director of that annual DakotaFest event, says that despite what is being said, the political forums and discussions are not being eliminated from the Mitchell event this year.
“I was [...]
