Democrat candidate for Governor refers to candidates Jon Hansen and Toby Doeden as neo-nazis in speech

The Argus Leader is reporting this evening that the announced Democrat Candidate for Governor, Robert Arnold, referred to two of the Republican candidates running for the nomination next June as neo-nazis in a speech today:

Arnold told the crowd he felt initially hopeless after Donald Trump was elected in November, because he knew Republicans “were going to steal our country and sell it to billionaires.”

But Arnold said he felt motivated to run after South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden — whom he called “neo-nazis” in his speech — filed to run for governor.

Read the entire story here.

Why would someone have that impression? No comment from 2% (Hansen) or 4% (Doeden)

But I can’t help but remember that one of them, Toby Doeden, was claiming statistics noting increased violence against Jewish-Americans was “fake..”

And didn’t Toby Doeden double down on his rally with the “I’m a black Nazi” guy, AFTER everything came to light about his internet activities last October?

I seem to recall that Toby – that same candidate – still has someone working for his campaign who was proclaiming “white-boy summer” while pictured in a Doeden campaign jacket a week or so ago..

And as it was just pointed out to me, 2% Jon Hansen isn’t exactly pure as the driven snow, and was one of the voices against clarifying antisemitism as an unfair or discriminatory practice, leading an effort to kill it in committee and voting against it on the house floor.

I suppose if a candidate is going to paint with this kind of broad brush, there’s a chance that some people are going to guess they got their clothes a little spattered.

29 thoughts on “Democrat candidate for Governor refers to candidates Jon Hansen and Toby Doeden as neo-nazis in speech”

  1. the trouble with calling everybody you disagree with a Nazi or a racist, is that all the other people stop listening

    The campaign season is off to a great start

    1. The trouble with this logic is that you can actually be a nazi or racist, but your excuse dismisses that for them. Maybe try thinking before just repeating the MAGA lines…..

          1. not ill-informed at all: the effects of such name calling have been studied. It panders to a base which was going to vote for you in the primary anyway, while the moderate and independent voters, the ones you need to win over in the general election, don’t like it.

  2. I’m living in the twilight zone. On a “Republican” blog of all places you’re trying to justify some amateur Democrat’s ridiculous comments rathan than j
    simply condemn him for such stupidity and immaturity. Plenty of reasons to criticize Toby, Jon or anybody in Sodak politics but the inflammatory name calling isn’t just inappropriate it’s annoying and juvenile.

    1. The only thing ridiculous is thinking that Doeden isn’t a Nazi. If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and smells like a duck, it’s a duck.

      Speaking of the Twilight Zone, go back and watch “He’s Alive” season four episode. Then you can open your trap again.

  3. And I was once a 19 year old loud mouth activist and can relate to Arnold’s rage, but thankfully I learned my lessons and grew up. I’m hoping the best for this kid and wish this wasnt a sad sign of what politics will look like as future generations take over…

  4. Being in and projecting denial is counter productive at the very least. The signs of Authoritarianism and Fascism are here in South Dakota and nationally. There are Nazis some being self described with others who align with them in their stated beliefs and actions.

    Just like in 1930s and 40s Germany there will be those who will look the other way for power and/or profit, make excuses, or even participate while certain populations are scapegoated, demonized, dehumanized where their rights are taken away. Remember the statement during a national debate “They’re eating the dogs, the cats”?

    “Alligator Alcatraz” is a concentration camp.

  5. Manifesto Mikey Z posted an Uber manifesto marathon defending Doedent’ on the Argus FB article about candidate Robert Arnold for SD Governor calling out Doedent and Hansen/Lemmings for being Neo Nazis.

  6. Pat, did you listen to Toby on the DTH podcast? He doubled down on the Mark Robinson thing and called him a good guy who should be congratulated for his work.

  7. Please study history folks. You may not like these folks and they may be crazy, but not one of them is a Nazi. Research what the Nazis were all about. Just name calling does not make it so.

  8. I agree that name calling is not productive. However, there are definitely similarities in today’s society that are similar to what happened in the 1930’s. The far right is promoting nationalism and populism which were tenants of the Nazi party and helped them gain power. When extreme radicals gain control bad things happen. The ultra right wing, calling themselves republicans, are bad news for South Dakota.

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