Argus notes Democrats criticizing Minnehaha Auditor. Sorry, but it’s not just Democrats.

28 thoughts on “Argus notes Democrats criticizing Minnehaha Auditor. Sorry, but it’s not just Democrats.”

1. Not sure if I should be happy or ..

   if I should be aghast that someone has the audacity to criticize our County Auditors.

   :\

   1. This is Monae’s responsibility to clean up. She brought them into the party. She needs to be responsible for getting her mess cleaned up.

      Just like Ravnsborg brought Pornahan and Ken Crow to the party. He never cleaned the mess up and they reaked havoc on jackley and Rounds for a year.

      1. What mess did Secretary Johnson actually make?
         How is it comparable to a legal office?

         I don’t know, don’t want to know, what’s going on in Minnehaha, but the rest of the counties run their own show and don’t cry because Trump lost an election. If you know of a county auditor making a mess of things, let the State Auditor know about it. Until then, handle your own problems.

         The “mess” is only as big as your little mind can imagine it.

2. I know there are also many Republicans who want their auditors to be more vigilant.

   1. https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-presidential-elections-senate-elections-south-dakota-sd-state-wire-00eb922ca52d3e75b57e3dfd13d0b5c5

3. If the next election is totally messed in regards to processing returns and results what options are there for the citizens of Minnehaha County? Can this election denier conspiracy consumed auditor be recalled?

   1. Would being ‘totally messed’ include not being able to feed the Argus Leader the results in time for Grandpa to go off to bed, in your opinion?

      1. Mark you are exactly who we need in the legislature! Keep up the good work!

      2. To turn this state purple.

      3. No, more so faith in the elections being lessened because of Leah and Wieble’s idiotic prattling about our voting tabulators being hackable.

4. If some SD GOP office holders want to come out boldly and publicly against this nonsense they’re more than welcome.

   But considering how kow-towed the state party is to the fringe we’ll be waiting forever before someone’s stones drop.

5. Has the Republican Party released any official statements they can quote? No?

6. Smoke and mirrors…there is nothing wrong with the way we conduct elections in South Dakota.

7. Leah is trying everything in her power to gain momentum to run for SoS because Auditor is hard and Secretary is a sinecure, and I’ll be the first to say it but certainly not the first to think that fact…
   Our current SOS, Monae Johnson, has a very good heart and common sense, that’s why she immediately distanced herself from the Minnesota couple that ran her campaign. As for WHY she had them on her side to begin with, one would observe the fact that she has never ran a campaign or held public office until now. Anyone else in her shoes would’ve gladly accepted the support, but, to their credit, the Weibles are hard-working, well versed on our election systems, and they passionately believe the 2020 Election was actually rigged, AND IT WAS. EVEN IF CRAZY PEOPLE (or out-of-state folk, like the Weibles) BELIEVE IT, IT STILL HAPPENED. We need to accept that fact, and not deny it just because of fear of being labeled. That is EXACTLY how Democrats control us. I’ll also say, Rick Weible would be doing himself a favor by ceasing to pretend he is some form of genius or “elections expert.” Elections are NOT an expert field, my friend. I mean, as an ACTUAL SOUTH DAKOTAN, you are absolutely NOT an American hero, Rick Weible. Not even close. We have one of the highest Veteran populations in the state, you can’t bullS us on what an American hero looks like, because it sure the hell is not some doughy “elections expert” from Minnesota, lets make that infinitely clear.
   And sure, the election probably was not rigged to the point of changing the end result, but to say the 2020 election wasn’t rigged is actually insane, given the insurmountable evidence on election night which was wiped off the map by youtube, Facebook, twitter, etc… Monae has done such a good job of being nonpartisan (as her role requires) that everyone in the state questions whether she is a common sense Republican, or an election-denier. Truth be told, she’s a little bit of both, and also neither. She’s an observant human, a mother, a devout Christian, and above all, a beautifully flawed individual. For better or worse, she is one of us.
   But, if you want the TRUTH on Monae, here it is: She is well respected and even adored by common sense Republicans (for years of service) AND crazies alike (due to the 2020 election conspiracy). She is a pro-actively common-sense Republican, but she also happens to go to Scott Craig’s church (which I’ve never been to, but heard from solid sources that he is a really good pastor, even if he wasn’t a very good legislator). Sometimes I think even Scott Craig is surprised by some of his ‘crazy’ congregation, and I think Monae was as well, but she still utilized them to get elected without much additional thought as to what comes after, unfortunately for them, fortunate for us, assuming ‘us’ are the common-sense Republicans.
   However, despite any election-denial claims, she is conscientious and observant toward the reality of the situation — that reality being, that just because Trump’s election was rigged in some states, doesn’t mean it was rigged HERE. He won handily. It also doesn’t mean she can prevent EVERY form of fraud, that task has to happen at the county auditor level, so best you all treat them nicely, because they are all on a strict budget, and they’re all fed up with your meaningless harassment about voter-fraud, and even if they didn’t have to deal with elections, most of them would still be just as overworked, underpaid, and entirely unappreciated as they are now.
   In an Auditor’s office, non-election years aren’t for slacking off, they’re for catching up. The fact of the matter is, she is LEARNING in her current position, as anyone does in their first couple years, but thanks to her sound-minded Deputy Tom Deadrick and her Director for the Division of Elections, Rachel Soulek, (who I’ve heard is an extremely hard worker) we can rest easy knowing our elections are in good hands.
   Monae believes God wanted her to run, and even though I have some disdain for religious sentiment by means of personal gain, I am now also of the disposition that God did in fact put her in that position, and for good reason. Don’t ask me to explain the Lord’s plan, I haven’t the slightest idea, but I’ll say that I definitely believe she is a part of it. I have faith in God, and by a small extension, Monae as well.
   Now, meanwhile, this Minnesota couple have attached themselves to the next big perceived election denier – Leah Anderson of Minnehaha. Their ideas were too counter-productive in MN, so they’re taking a new angle in a state they’ve deemed ‘smaller and dumber’ than Minnesota, which they’ve already proved they can influence. You should all be thanking your lucky stars that Monae didn’t turn out to be a radical when she took office. She has completely isolated half of the very people who got her elected. THAT commands my respect. But the fact that Barnett lost? That is OUR fault, and it WILL be repeated if we don’t cowboy up and do the job that needs done, except next time we won’t be so lucky to have someone with Monae’s conscience, it will be someone without one, like Leah. The only problem with her current plan is that.. well.. god bless her heart… but nobody likes Leah, I’m sorry to say. The state doesn’t know Leah, Minnehaha doesn’t like Leah, the SD GOP doesn’t recognize Leah, the SOS HATES Leah, and the SD Democrat party haaa-ah hahaha nah I’m just kidding, who cares?? But Monae had equal support from BOTH sides. She may be the only one in the state who can bridge the gap! And we want to pester HER?!? Guys, please understand, sometimes we need to leave well-enough alone! Even if I didn’t vote for her, she certainly did NOT make fools of the common-sense Republicans that did! She is doing right by our state.
   Even though I was supportive of Barnett in the primary, we all know the SOS position requires very little work, and Monae has done a fantastic job of surrounding herself with the people who know exactly how to get things done. If absolute worse comes to worse, we will know that if Monae hasn’t learned the answer by now, she is surrounded by a solid team that has. I disagreed with her removal of Kea Warne and the previous elections team, but she has done a great job of shaking up the office without crippling it, even if the first session seemed a bit of a no-show.
   If this sounds too mushy, just know that I voted for Barnett, and Monae has slowly won me over. She is doing EXACTLY what we need the SOS to do: as little as possible.
   And to those election-deniers out there who don’t seem to realize how handily Trump won our state’s vote, just know that whatever CRAP you’re trying to push onto the rest of the state, you need to keep it relegated it to your county. The SDSOS DOES NOT RUN OUR ELECTIONS. The COUNTY AUDITORS RUN OUR ELECTIONS. But… ya know, having a one-on-one with your county auditor isn’t near as fun as being Auditor of the largest county while navigating a path toward your next sinecure.
   One last note, Leah Anderson, if you’re reading this, please understand that your secret pursuit of the SOS office is already dead. You will never hold a statewide office. You will not be elected to a 2nd term in your own office if your county is lucky. If you want a fool’s chance at relevancy in the coming years? The first thing you’ll do is stop making noise and LEARN TO DO YOUR JOB. This isn’t a competition, this is public service that you are LUCKY to get paid to do. YOU ARE LUCKY. And I’ve got half a dozen people on speed-dial who’d be happy to take your place, so if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.
   Leah, in the meantime, please, stay quiet, stay in your lane, and just remember there are those of us out here who know your next move before you do. You have a very important duty to execute in 2024. You may feel that you lack the resources to navigate your current path, but please summon the conscientious ability to listen when someone like me provides GOOD advice.

   1. It seemed to me like Steve Barnett simply became the whipping boy for all the pent-up frustration felt by Trump Republicans who were estranged by their DC reps, and eventually by the voters themselves. Monae appeared as the fresh face of reform, but as you point out, her campaign could not promise anything towards correcting election fraud at the national level.
      Monae has disappointed many of those who elected her, but she can still take things in the right direction by addressing corruption in the elections systems here in South Dakota, to include the electronic machines contractors, since among the accusations leveled against our state has been our willingness to be used as a hub for electronic machine manipulation. And don’t think we’re not already somewhat inured to such unsavory practices; we seem to be quite comfortable in holding $360 Bn in tax-sheltered trust funds that are hidden away from everyone except the most privileged —
      https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/04/pandora-papers-reveal-south-dakotas-role-as-367bn-tax-haven

      1. Only crackpots with unproven theories have claimed that our voting machines are compromised. Ol’ Pillow boy still hasn’t put up for being full of hot air.

   2. whenever you say ‘our election is hacked’ i hear you saying trump’s 2020 vote totals are in doubt, the 90 percent dominance republicans have in state government is in doubt. you CANT be saying that or even thinking that of course.

      your fellow freedom advocates are all over our city councils and school boards too so it can’t be that.

      it must be for when your best and brightest liberty candidates run against RINO incumbents for state legislature and u-s congress and lose. it seems impossible that people who worked decades to build the sdgop, worked in their roles as public elected servants in good governance, but who are now proven to be traitorous RINOs who should be barred from future service, should prevail over and over, against the best, brightest and angriest of tea party elites.

      as ed muskie once said after a primary loss, “the people have spoken, damn them.”

      i think the election fears are ginned up nonsense.

      1. re: voting machine trojan-horse zombie-hub theories – really prove it and fix it. using this endlessly the same way dems use fear of cutting social security, as an emotion generator, is tiresome.

         1. There you go; there are ongoing efforts to expose and remove tampering with the voting machines, of which you are so quick to dismiss.
            What do you know? Have you looked into the situation in an objective manner, or are you just programmed to mock and scorn along with the rest of the pack?
            For an ‘enquirer’, I don’t see much evidence of any research or even conjecture on your part; only insults and belittling of contrary views

            1. i keep waiting for the evidence. the hack in question. justice denied. something. the charge itself is not the evidence. “go research it” only means you can tell i haven’t sipped from your crapstream.

      2. We’ve already said that our state legislators were elected in a fair election.
         However the statewide initiatives should be a cause for concern when you have out of state university students voting periodically in South Dakota to free up recreational weed, or likewise RVers voting in more than one state/precinct for their dubious purposes. Would that sound like ‘ginned up nonsense’?

         1. again, really prove it. sd voters have proven to be all over the map at initiative time, and not the solid red wall you think they are. proof.

8. No, it didnt happen.

9. God did not put Monae Johnson in any position. God does not care who occupies the position of South Dakota Secretary of State. To say so, belittles God.

   1. Nobody said God put her in the position, he said she’s part of the plan. She has said her relationship with God provoked her to run for office. And for you to say what God does or doesn’t care about based on what YOU don’t care about, THAT belittles God to the furthest extent. “God does not care” That’s the beginning to an ignorant and narcissistic statement no matter what it ends with.

10. I feel like most republican’s I know don’t support the Trump policy (revenge on those who don’t agree with you), and that turns them off. Plain and simple. Trump spends like a drunken sailor, focuses solely on trying to enact revenge, and still has zero policy proposed. What, will he do another tax cut for the billionaires? The MAGA’s are the 30% that also just want to demonize those that don’t think like them, and force their beliefs on everyone else (religious interpretation). Compare this with numbers of organized religion participation, which are also dropping, and you’ll see the correlation. People don’t want government in their lives, and forcing beliefs through government into peoples lives is just that. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him fall short again.

11. Anonymous at 9:11: The religious beliefs of the Deists who founded our country could be summarized as “God set the Universe in motion. After that, it’s up to us.”

12. Bring back Bob Litz!

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