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Todd Epp, a.k.a. “Token Liberal” of the Greg Belfrage show is chiming in about yesterday’s dueling events, where he sees the SDGOP coming out on top, and the SDDP taking a major hit in how people view them:

When I look at our Republican brothers and sisters, they have had great leaders as chairpeople. Craig Lawrence and Joel Rosenthal especially come to mind, but also people like Pam Roberts and Dan Lederman. While we may disagree with their positions on the issues, they knew or know how to lead. For example, Lederman holding the rally at the same venue as the Democrats’ McGovern Day was diabolically brilliant. It took attention away from the Democrats, who also shot themselves in the feet but not opening our event to the media.

With yesterday’s events, not only do we still have a poor leader in charge of our party, but a mortally wounded one going into the 2018 election. I’m not sure how things could get any worse but we are set up for such an eventuality. To wait for Trump to implode is not a strategy but a wish. Politics is an elbows out sport and hard work that depends on planning and money. Until we Democrats figure that out, we will continue to bleed market share–i.e. voters, to the Republicans and Independents. And even fewer Democrats in Pierre.

Maybe it is time for a new party. I’m not sure this one is salvageable. We can’t even stage a propper (sic) revolt.

Read that here.

This comment comes under a post at Cory Heidelberger’s Dakota Free Press, where Heidelberger fanned the flames and promoted the revolt against Tornberg, but didn’t bother to drive to Sioux Falls to participate nor cover the vote to replace Tornberg or to attend Democrat’s big annual dinner. (Al Novstrup was at the GOP event, BTW).

It was a good event for Lederman, who despite having no major statewide candidates or officeholders who were available to attend, managed to pack the place with activists who were willing to take the fight to the doorstep of Democrats.

And as Epp notes, “not only do we still have a poor leader in charge of our party, but a mortally wounded one going into the 2018 election. I’m not sure how things could get any worse but we are set up for such an eventuality.”

As I’ve said, Dems, just keep doing your thing.

A Bright Forecast
By Sen. John Thune

If you live in South Dakota, you know how quickly the weather can change. One minute it’s warm and sunny, and in the blink of an eye, you’re in the middle of a torrential downpour. From harsh winters to hot summers, we get a little of everything. And as folks in some parts of South Dakota recently discovered, it doesn’t matter what the calendar says, winter will end when it’s good and ready.

Accurately forecasted weather is important for a lot of reasons. There’s the obvious, like whether or not you’ll need an umbrella before you head to work. There’s the not-so-obvious, like the fact that South Dakota farmers depend on long-term weather forecasts to help determine when they’ll need to plant crops each spring. Perhaps most importantly, though, when it comes to extreme weather, like severe thunderstorms or tornadoes, timely and accurate weather forecasts can help save lives.

The National Weather Service (NWS) recently held a statewide tornado drill in South Dakota, so no matter what it looked like outside, most folks throughout the state probably heard the ominous howl of local tornado sirens. While these sirens are integral tools that help keep people safe, consumers can now have severe weather alerts sent directly to mobile devices, like cell phones or even smart watches – an idea hardly imaginable when I was a kid.

I’ve seen South Dakota weather – the good, the bad, and the ugly – which is why I’ve spent months working with a bipartisan group of senators to pass sweeping weather research and forecasting legislation, which was recently signed into law. The new law encompasses numerous ideas authored by Republicans and Democrats from both the House and Senate. A writer for the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang called these reforms, collectively, “the first major piece of weather legislation adopted since the 1990s.”

I authored several provisions of the new law, including one that will improve seasonal and subseasonal forecasts, which will help farmers make more informed decisions about when it’s the most opportune time to plant certain crops. I also authored a provision that will require the NWS to designate at least one warning coordination meteorologist at each of the 122 weather forecasting offices throughout the country. These NWS employees will collaborate with local officials, including the media, to increase the usefulness of emergency weather communication.

The new law also takes several meaningful steps toward improving tornado forecasting and accuracy. It tasks the NWS with improving its watches and warning system, which would make these alerts easier to understand and hopefully give individuals additional time to take necessary safety steps. The law will also require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study and identify radar coverage gaps to help determine ways to better protect communities throughout the country.

There are few issues that affect every single American. Weather is one of them. So, it’s no coincidence that our bill was one of the first to make it to the president’s desk this year. It’s a good, common-sense law and one that will hopefully have a positive and lasting effect on the American people for years to come.

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Paris Climate Agreement Another Misguided Step That Puts U.S. At Competitive Disadvantage
By Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.)

Last year, President Obama entered into a radical climate agreement called the Paris Agreement with other global leaders in an attempt to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas. Unfortunately, it is a bad deal for America. We all want to pass on a clean, safe environment to future generations, but the Paris Agreement was made without the support of Congress or the American people. The new energy restrictions outlined in the Paris Agreement will lead to higher electricity rates and regulatory costs for U.S. producers and manufacturers, which are passed onto us in the form of higher prices. This puts our country at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the world as we compete for new markets to sell our goods and services.  Simply put, the Paris Agreement is a bad deal for the United States’ economy.  It shackles our economy and raises electricity costs without even meeting the agreement’s goal of having an effect on climate change.

Currently under the agreement, the United States is obligated to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2025, or about 1.1 billion tons. That’s in addition to the more than 820 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions we’ve already cut over the past decade. Meanwhile, other signers, including Russia, India and Iran, are allowed to actually increase or have no cap on their emissions output. Crazier yet, China, the world’s largest producer of greenhouse gases, has no emissions cap. So, while we increase our costs of production, the rest of the world continues to produce greenhouse gases and grow their economies which explains why research has shown the agreement has no measurable effect on the environment.

Cutting emissions comes at a big cost to our economy. According to a March 2017 study by NERA Economic Consulting, the Paris Agreement will cost the United States $3 trillion and cut 6.5 million jobs by 2040. Industry in the United States has already been stymied by the countless regulations imposed throughout President Obama’s tenure in office. It’s time that we allow industry to grow and create more jobs for our citizens. They should not have to leave the U.S. to competitively produce their products. The Paris Agreement is a bad deal, one which impacts our economy while allowing other countries to continue producing greenhouse gas emissions.

Good energy policies include an ‘all of the above’ approach that will strengthen our economy, create jobs and enhance our energy independence.  While we only have one clean coal power plant located at Big Stone in South Dakota, we still rely on electricity produced at clean coal fired plants in other states.

In South Dakota, we have clean air and water. We intend to keep it that way. We also intend to have a strong economy that creates jobs for our citizens. These are not mutually exclusive. Let’s do both. Let’s not destroy our economy by adhering to the Paris Agreement, an agreement which clearly allows for the production of greenhouse gases by most of the rest of the world.

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100 Days of Giving Control Back to You
By Rep. Kristi Noem

We’ve just passed President Trump’s 100-day mark.  While that is a relatively short amount of time, it does make for a good opportunity to reflect on the progress so far.

A lot has changed since President Trump moved into the White House.  For one, we’re finally seeing the legislation conservatives have long fought for become law.  Already, I’ve helped pass 29 bills that President Trump has signed – the most for a president’s first 100 days since Truman was elected.

While President Obama used his executive authorities to expand government’s influence over our lives, President Trump has worked with me and other members of Congress to return power to the American people.  For instance, nearly half of the new laws peeled back harmful Obama-era regulations.  Under the previous administration, new regulations promised to increase household costs by thousands of dollars. But through the work we’ve done this year alone, families and businesses are expected to save $67 billion.  This is a new era.

We’ve done much of this through the Congressional Review Act.  While this provision has been used successfully only one time before, I’ve now helped pass more than a dozen Congressional Review Act resolutions that have landed on President Trump’s desk and earned his signature.

In some cases, these regulatory repeals have provided relief for small businesses, energy workers, and retirees.  In others, we’ve protected the most vulnerable among us: the unborn.  One provision in particular gave states the ability to defund abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood.  With President Trump’s signature in mid-April, it’s now the law of the land.  This, along with the successful confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, has offered long-awaited victories for the pro-life movement.

I’ve also been pleased to see some of the efforts that have come directly from the White House. In a state like South Dakota, families earning less than $50,000 per year already spend one-fifth of their after-tax income on energy. Along with other measures, I’ve supported the Keystone Pipeline’s construction to help drive these costs down and promote greater energy independence.  But the Obama administration vetoed our efforts. I was thrilled, however, to see President Trump pick up the mantle and approve the pipeline’s construction.

And much more is in the works.

We’ve gotten further on tax reform in the last few months than others have gotten in the last 30 years.  While we continue to debate smaller details, Congress and the White House are united behind a few key principles: folks ought to be paying less, the tax code needs to be made simpler, and we have to incentivize growth again.

We’ve also made more progress on health care reform in 100 days than President Obama made in 400 days. I remain committed to repealing Obamacare and replacing it with a plan that gives you more freedom and flexibility.

As all this is taking place, we’ve been able to strengthen America’s global posture and better secure our borders.  In fact, in President Trump’s first month alone, illegal border crossings decreased by 40 percent, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Once again, we’re only 100 days in and already we’ve seen the tides change.  Whether we’re talking about deregulation, energy security, tax reform or health care reform, we’re seeing power flow away from Washington, navigating its way back to the people – where it should have been all along.

Choices Behind The Wheel
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:

Traffic fatalities are a recurring headline. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t read another story, hear a radio report or see the terrible images on television.

The good news is the numbers indicate a decrease of traffic fatalities in South Dakota. In 2016, there were 115 fatal vehicle crashes. That is the lowest total since 2011 and the second lowest of all time.

Of course, even with this good news, every fatal crash is a tragedy. Each traffic death is a blow to a family, to a group of friends and to a community. That’s why the Office of Highway Safety tracks crash data and keeps tabs on the state’s fatality rate. Highway Safety uses the numbers to identify trends and to target their messaging on safe driving.

Data reveals the tragic facts: In 2015, 60 people died in motor vehicle crashes when not wearing a seatbelt belt or safety device of any kind; another 825 unrestrained occupants were injured. That same year, distracted drivers were to blame for 1,125 crashes including six fatal crashes.

Of course, alcohol also is still a problem. In 2015, alcohol was a factor in 1,085 motor vehicles crashes in South Dakota and was a factor in 41 fatal vehicle crashes. Additionally, drivers under the age of 25 (which make up only 15 percent of all drivers) account for almost 50 percent of the crashes involving speeding and more than 30 percent of the crashes involving alcohol.

Car accidents are preventable.

Every time you get behind the wheel, you have choices. You decide whether to wear your seatbelt and whether to ask your passengers to buckle up. You decide whether to look at that text or email. You determine whether to drive home after a few drinks or to get a ride. How fast you drive, how often you pull over, what role you’ll play in your kids’ driver’s education – these are all up to you.

There are people who love you and want you to come home safely. Practice safe driving methods for their sake and for the sake of every other driver who has kids, grandkids, a spouse, parents and friends. Let’s all make good choices when we get behind the wheel.

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Part two of Stu Whitney’s gag-fest on Sioux Falls Mayor and former Democrat Mike Huether ran in the Argus today, and it seems that moreso than the “Part 1” article on Huether, it demonstrated the “over the top ego” possessed by Huether:

He still hasn’t forgotten how Jamison attacked his ethics and credibility during the 2014 campaign by pointing to real estate investments held in office by Huether and his wife, Cindy, and questioning whether such interests impacted tax incentive decisions.

No wrongdoing was established and Huether went on to win with 55 percent of the vote. But he felt unjustly robbed of a landslide victory that would have more forcefully validated the successes of his first term.

And…

“In my re-election campaign, our numbers were really positive, but what happens at the end of races is that sometimes people throw out everything to try to reverse that. The strategy in this case was that even if (Jamison) wasn’t going to be successful, he would make sure that Mike and Cindy Huether never got a chance to do this again. He decided to make it personal, and you can’t find a way to make it more personal than going after someone’s family.”

Jamison views that election differently. In his mind, Huether’s vote margin of 18,749 to 15,153 underscored the mayor’s limited appeal if he aspires to higher office once he leaves City Hall.

Read it here.

In a campaign, a political opponent questioned whether real estate investments that the Mayor and his wife might have flavored his decision making in office? Oh my – perish the thought. Greg Jamison must have not gotten Huether’s directive to run on the unicorns and rainbows platform.

It was a campaign, and in any campaign, that territory would be fair game.

In the past, Huether has demonstrated that his ego can’t take humorous photos of him. If Mike Huether isn’t up to responding to those kinds of questions, and can’t even take light humor, he’s going to find the campaign for whatever office he runs for to be a long and very painful race.

The SDGOP had well attended events on either end of the State last night; the Pennington County Lincoln Day Dinner in Rapid City and the Freedom Rally in Sioux Falls. 

What just struck me is that both of these events were headlined with book authors. 

Rapid City was headlined by Peggy Grande, personal assistant to Ronald Reagan, and author of “The President Will See You Now.” Sioux Falls’ freedom rally was headlined by David Horowitz, who has written a number of books.

Compare that to the Democrats, who closed the events of the day to the press to have an internal power struggle which culminated with hosting Congressman Keith Ellison, a Bernie Sanders supporter who talks about getting rid of the second amendment.

In the marketplace of ideas, it sounds like South Dakota Republicans had a resounding win over closed door Democrats last night.

From the Argus:

“We’re a party that’s open to everybody,” Lucas said. “We’re not a party of hate and fear mongers.”

And…

Noting that Ellison’s talk was closed to the press, Arends said, “They don’t want to talk about ideas tonight.”

Read it here.

Democrats at their big yearly event claim to be a party that claims to be open…  but Ann Tornberg shut off the events of the day to the press.

What was she trying to hide?

I was finally able to shake some information loose from a couple of sources on the attempted coup against SDDP Chair Ann Tornberg. And as I’d suspected, the revolution was postponed.

What have I heard? One source stated that “The amendment failed this morning but the efforts do not end there,” which was confirmed with a second source telling me that “it was withdrawn after discussion. While there were some changes to the state board and region…Ann is still chair.”

The efforts do not end there.  Could be a rocky 2018 cycle for Ann Tornberg.