I bought a domain, and someone must be complaining. And I’m not paying $795 for lorahubbel.com

Pat Powers

Here’s a silly one. Some liberal dems were all a flutter in a comment section of another website the other day because they noticed I bought an unused domain as I’ve done before.  And the next thing I’m hearing is Dana Ferguson from the Argus is actually asking people about it, and sending me e-mails asking how many domains I own.

What’s got them all addled? I added billiesutton.com to a small group of them I have, such as lorahubbelforgovernor.com and dakotareporter.com which was abandoned after Lee Stranahan left town.  (I keep looking at lorahubbel.com, but I’m not paying $795 for it. Last year, it was nearly $3000, but even at $795, it is still a high dollar web property. If it gets much over $10 or 12, It’s too rich for my blood.)

Running a South Dakota based news website which covers politics, every once in a while I sometimes buy domains that are unused or abandoned that I think I might be able to use for SEO purposes when they’re related to topics I write extensively about.  So $10 later, I did.  And that’s MSM newsworthy? Meh.

We’ll have to wait for it to appear to see if it’s benign or a hit piece. Not sure if someone is complaining directly, or it’s a reeaaallly slow news day. I guess we’ll find out.

Minor #TBT..  I was reminded of the time I bought sibbyonline.com, which I auctioned off to raise money for a charity donation, raising $500 in the process. And the buyer told me to give the domain to Steve, in the spirit of fun and camaraderie.   Good times.

*Update* – Yep. As expected, came off as a hit piece.  And they didn’t even bother to mention SDWC’s URL, despite the story being about it.

The sock puppets must not have been available. Stace Nelson to produce own TV Show on KCPO?

Pat Powers

(H/T to Dakota Free Press)

KCPO Television which hd in the past produced the Public Affairs Show The Facts, which I had appeared on from time to time, is now advertising a new show on their facebook page coming in the near future: The Nelson Verity:

Advertised as “A fair, honest, and balanced look at South Dakota politics,” the video includes snippets about stories or misdeeds involving state government.

Given the subject matter as well as the title, there’s speculation that the program is possibly going to feature sitting State Senator Stace Nelson.

A relationship with KCPO might also be assumed if you notice the Stace Nelson narrated advertising for R. Shawn Tornow Law office on the KCPO Facebook page…

…with Tornow having represented Nelson in the past as counsel for the defense in the continuing Rushmore PAC filed robocall lawsuit against Nelson (which I hear recently had another filing which the plaintiff hopes will bring it closer to final judgement).

It’s not that it’s a major technological stretch to get on TV, it’s more of a cost barrier, so Nelson must have some extra cash laying around to pay the expenses for the show (about $300-500 per). The questions swirling around it are more of the nature of ‘what he’s going to do with it?’ and ‘will the exposure justify the ongoing expense?’

I don’t get KCPO via DISH Network in Brookings, so you’ll all have to tell me how it goes.

Bob Ellis & American Clarion exiting on bitter note, because Breitbart and Rush Limbaugh are just a bunch of Liberal Wusses.

Pat Powers

Bob Ellis at American Clarion is apparently calling it a day in his own inimitable way:

Yeah, and having watched not only rank and file RINOs make these things happen, but in 2016 to actually watch many conservatives whom I’d been in the trenches with completely whore their professed values out in support of a Democrat who slapped an “R” after his name? After all the disappointments, that may just have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. So much so that I hardly even feel the energy to issue a much-deserved “I told you so” now that we’ve seen Donald Trump and a majority “Republican” congress turn around and royally screw their own supporters with refusals to end Roe v. Wade, counterfeit marriage, funding for Planned Parenthood, refugee resettlement from terrorist havens, funding for sanctuary cities, refusal to rein in our out-of-control rogue judiciary, or even repeal the biggest campaign idol of the last seven years: ObamaCare. The frauds for whom conservatives whored out their values have now done what is typically done with whores, and it was all so predictable that “I told you so” is virtually boring.

And…

In the meantime, I’d encourage you–one of that remnant of people who is still dedicated to what is right–to stay informed (as I will be) by patronizing good sources of information that won’t whore out their values, that won’t water down the truth to curry favor with feckless betrayers of what we believe in, that will tell the truth even when it costs them. Here in South Dakota, a continuing source is the Right Side; I wish there were more, but the Right has become so corrupted here that most of the good people have beaten into silence or seduced into joining the dark side. Nationally, you can find the straight stuff at places like RedState and Resurgent. Don’t waste your time on “Right” wing propaganda sites (that use to be reliable) like Breitbart, Drudge and Fox News. And now that Rush Limbaugh can no longer be relied on to stand for conservatism, Steve Deace is my go-to guy on a daily basis (and in addition to hard-hitting conservatism, Deace brings to the table what Rush Limbaugh never did: the life-transforming Truth of a Biblical worldview).

Read Bob’s gracious exit here.

Thoughts?

Thanks for the love! Keep on clicking!

Pat Powers

We’re shooting past 4000 hits today, based on the traffic we’re receiving from everyone curious that Democrats are actually coming up with a candidate at a reasonable time in the election cycle (as opposed to “pulling a Wismer” and not fielding a candidate until the election year Legislative Session.)

Thanks for your patronage, and keep on clicking!

SDGOP Chair Dan Lederman points out Sutton record. And in case you were wondering, He’s a Hillary Clinton Democrat.

Pat Powers

In today’s Argus Leader article on the Sutton announcement from Dana Ferguson (which she has a glaring error in), South Dakota REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN Dan Lederman points out the Sutton record when it comes to his politics:

Dan Lederman, executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party, was quick to point say Sutton was a not a moderate, pointing to Sutton’s votes on a bill that would legalize marijuana and against bills viewed as favorable by the National Rifle Association.

“Billie Sutton is a hyper partisan liberal Democrat that doesn’t want voters to know his record,” he said. “Sutton’s policies would be wrong for the state.”

Read it here.

As for myself, I’d be curious to know if in the presidential primary, Sutton was a Bernie Sanders Democrat, or a… nevermind. I was able to answer my own question:

Read the entire article here.  And there’s more. He apparently was her biggest spokesman in the state:

“I am proud to join my fellow state legislators in endorsing Hillary Clinton for President,” Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton said. “Secretary Clinton has shown she has the same values as families in rural America.  She understands our issues and has been a tireless advocate for our farmers, our ranchers, our veterans, our Native Americans, and all working men and women. As First Lady she brought the importance of pre-k education to the forefront of the nation by piloting literacy programs and fought alongside Senator Tom Daschle to create the first national children’s health insurance program.  As U.S. Senator, she worked with Senator Tim Johnson to secure vital investments in renewable energy and bio-fuels, that helped drive the economy of our state. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton lead this nation in an increasingly complicated world.  Hillary is the most qualified person running for President. I couldn’t be more thrilled to support her campaign.”

Read that here.

 

Apparently, major candidate announcements are not a biggie for the SDDP

Pat Powers

Today, the Democrats had their first big candidate announcement for the 2018 cycle (not withstanding Chris Martian, who is likely not going anywhere).

So, what do we hear from the South Dakota Democrat Party?

Nothing on their website. Nothing on Facebook. Nothing on Twitter. You’d hardly think there’s a political party there anymore.

(So far, so good, keeping Ann Tornberg in there.)

What’s missing from the Sutton announcement and website? One Word: Democrat

Pat Powers

Hmm…  what’s missing from this press release issued today for State Senator Billie Sutton’s entrance into the race for Governor of South Dakota?:

Senator Billie Sutton Announces for South Dakota Governor

BURKE, S.D. – Today on his family’s ranch overlooking the Missouri River in rural Burke, South Dakota, Senate Minority Leader Billie Sutton announced his candidacy for Governor of South Dakota.

Senator Sutton, a fifth generation South Dakotan and term-limited District 21 State Senator, said he is running for Governor to put his South Dakota values of hard work, honesty, and integrity to work for the people of South Dakota.

Senator Sutton said that making his announcement for Governor from his family’s ranch was important because of the values he was raised with and the ranch’s connection to his life story.

Senator Sutton said, “I look around this ranch – a business and way of life my parents built with their blood, sweat, tears, and hard work, and I see the values that make us South Dakotans: rugged individualists with a heart for our community and neighbors, a never-say-quit attitude, and a desire to build a better life for each generation to come.”

Senator Sutton was raised a rodeo cowboy on the ranch. He had a successful college and professional rodeo career, making it to the top 30 in the world in the professional ranks. However, Sutton’s rodeo career was cut short in October 2007 when he was paralyzed in a rodeo accident.

Senator Sutton recounted, “My horse flipped over in the chute, and I was instantly paralyzed. My life changed forever in that moment– but I know deep down it’s more important to live by God’s plan for my life than it is to live by my own plan.”

Senator Sutton said that during his recovery, “It felt as though the entire state of South Dakota was behind me. Now is my time to give back to the state I love.”

“My wife Kelsea and I are raising our family, and we want to ensure that all South Dakotans can live the South Dakota dream of having a good-paying job, a great quality of life, a world-class education, in a state that helps every person live up to their God-given potential.” Sutton said.

Senator Sutton also laid out his vision for South Dakota in his announcement speech at the Sutton Ranch.

“I believe in a South Dakota where every person can get a world-class education and job with a good wage that provides the opportunity to build a better future for their family. If you are willing to work hard, you should be able to get ahead in South Dakota.”

“I believe in a South Dakota where our state government is as honest and hardworking as our people. We deserve better than what the establishment in Pierre has let happen to our state, and as our next Governor I’m going to change the culture of corruption.”

“I also believe in a South Dakota where we embrace our ag economy and our rural way of life. Our entire state, rural and urban, is impacted by the strength of our ag economy. Whan ag struggles, South Dakota struggles. When ag is strong, South Dakota is strong,” Senator Sutton said.

Sutton also told the crowd at the announcement that he will travel the state and listen to the issues facing people in their local communities.

“No one person has all the answers, and no political party has a monopoly on good ideas. I believe together we can find the answers and solve the problems facing our state,” Sutton proclaimed.

Senator Sutton resides in his hometown of Burke, SD. He still rides horses and has a cattle operation with his family. Senator Sutton formerly served as manager of a local Hay Association where he marketed hay across the country for area farmers. Sutton has worked as an investment executive for First Fidelity Bank, a small community bank, since August 2010.

Sutton was elected to the State Senate in 2010 and is now in his fourth term. He is the current Senate Minority Leader, serving in that role since 2014.

Senator Sutton is married to Kelsea Kenzy Sutton, an attorney with First Fidelity Bank and County Commissioner in Gregory County. Billie and Kelsea also have a young son named Liam.

###

It’s missing a word.

How are Sioux Falls Mayor Mike Huether and Billie Sutton alike?  Neither one wants to be identified as a Democrat.  

In fact, “Democrat” is also very conspicuously missing from his campaign website. Nowhere on the website is his party affiliation noted.

In fact, by mentioning it in the title, and twice in the paragraph above, I’ve now written it three more times in this post than Billie Sutton has in his entire website.

Kind of interesting, don’t you think?

Hmm.. Curious. And here’s Max Sandlin again.

Pat Powers

Watching the Sutton Gubernatorial announcement via streaming at the Argus Leader. The first speaker was Sutton’s wife… but the second is former Texas Congressman & Washington Lobbyist Max Sandlin, as he goes on about Sutton being a 5th Generation South Dakotan?

This comes after Max Sandlin being a speaker at the Democrat’s ill-fated McGovern Day Dinner.

Curious.  Are South Dakota Democrats that bad off that they have to import activists and party leaders from out of state now?