Hmmm… Where did we last have an awful campaign rollout from a Democrat for Congress…..

@SoDakCampaigns

Hawks_videoIf you were reading below and caught the Paula Hawks video (which was quickly taken down), you’d probably agree that this is one of the worst campaign rollouts of a statewide race that we’ve seen.

But as a reader reminded me, wasn’t there another awful campaign rollout that we’ve witnessed recently……..

That’s right! It was about two years ago in October – January that we witnessed another campaign rollout debacle – Corinna Robinson!

Her campaign started out with her going on about terrorism being caused by the minimum wage, declaring for office on October 13th…  a campaign kickoff in November… and February….  and about five different campaign managers in about as many months.

So, our sincere congratulations to Paula Hawks for so far having the best campaign rollout from a South Dakota Democrat for Congress since Corinna Robinson!

Good luck and best wishes to this election’s Democrat sacrifical lamb for Congress.

Rounds Actively Working to Defund Planned Parenthood

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RoundsPressHeader MikeRounds official SenateRounds Actively Working to Defund Planned Parenthood
Signs onto Legislation to Completely Defund Organization

PIERRE—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement after another video surfaced of Planned Parenthood executives discussing the sale of unborn babies’ body parts. He has cosponsored several bills to defund the organization. The Senate will vote on legislation to defund Planned Parenthood on Monday.

“Four videos have now surfaced of Planned Parenthood officials talking casually and cold-heartedly about the sale of body parts of unborn children. The behavior displayed by agency officials in the videos is disgusting and morally reprehensible,” said Rounds. “Planned Parenthood should never have been receiving taxpayer dollars. I will work to stop federal funds from going to this organization immediately.”

Legislation Rounds Has Cosponsored To Defund Planned Parenthood:

  • S. 1861 would eliminate nearly $500 million of taxpayer funding each year to Planned Parenthood.
  • S. 1877 would require a special prosecutor to be appointed by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals for the purpose of investigating Planned Parenthood’s alleged violation of federal law, including changing or delaying abortion procedures for the sole purpose of harvesting fetal tissue and selling fetal tissue for profit. The legislation would also rescind federal funding to Planned Parenthood as a means to pay for this special investigation and would also authorize the investigation of any other organization that funds or conducts abortions.
  • S. 1881 would defund Planned Parenthood while preserving federal funding for women’s health services, including relevant diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, well-child care, prenatal and postpartum care, immunization, cervical and breast cancer screenings and referrals. Funds no longer available to Planned Parenthood will continue to be offered to other eligible entities to provide such women’s health care services.

In addition, Rounds joined 49 of his colleagues in a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell to draw attention to the legal, ethical and policy issues raised by the footage and urge her to cooperate with ongoing and future investigations into these questions.

Planned Parenthood receives roughly $1.4 million tax payer dollars every day, according to their 2013-2014 annual report. The Senate is scheduled to vote on S. 1881 on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. ET.

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Paula Hawks continuing to move towards announcement. Posts YouTube video titled “I am running for US House.”

@SoDakCampaigns

The biggest non-secret in South Dakota continues to move forward to it’s non-reveal.

One of the Abortion group NARAL’s Favorite State Legislators, Paula Hawks, has posted a video out to the Internets titled “I am running for US House.”   Despite her making no announcement, or filing FEC papers yet, it’s a pretty good indicator that she in fact, is running to be the Democrat’s sacrificial lamb for the US House race.

Here’s her sleep-inducing video, if you can stay awake through it.

In it, METABANK corporate trainer Hawks continues to portray herself as a teacher, despite leaving the profession to instruct bank tellers how to use the latest permutation of their banking software.

UPDATE – AAAnnnnnnd they yanked it down already. Although, here’s a screen shot to prove it was the real deal:

Hawks_video

Any one else think the Lion Story is… well, ridiculous?

@SoDakCampaigns

Does anyone else believe the “Cecil the Lion” story has reached the “ridiculous” level at this point? In the latest this morning, CNN is reporting that Zimbabwe is now calling on the US to extradite the Minnesota Dentist because, in part, of facebook outrage:

Zimbabwe has started extradition proceedings and hopes the U.S. will cooperate, said Oppah Muchinguri, the African nation’s environment minister.

Walter Palmer “had a well-orchestrated agenda which would tarnish the image of Zimbabwe and further strain the relationship between Zimbabwe and the U.S.A.,” Muchinguri said.

and…

Muchinguri said that there was also much outcry in Zimbabwe and that nearly 500,000 people had called via Facebook for Palmer’s extradition.

“We are taking this issue seriously,” he said, adding that Palmer should be tried in Zimbabwe for his alleged offenses.

Read it here.

Run Simba, they’re going to blame you!

They’re calling for his extradition because of a “tarnished image,” and “facebook?” That a government official even cites it is horrific in it’s ridiculousness, and should give any American strong pause in whether or not to consider traveling to that country. Ever.

At this point in time, it appears that if anyone did anything wrong, it might have been the guides/people arranging the hunt, and any role the hunter had in luring the lion, and directing the circumstances of the hunt is still in question.

At least, to the point where far more information and evidence is needed for anyone to pass judgement, unless their intent is to hate big game hunters in general.

And putting it in context; this story came out right about the same time as yet another round of video footage alleging Planned Parenthood is illegally trafficking in human body parts in the United States. Yet, we don’t see Jimmy Kimmel weeping over that one.

I guess I’m feeling as if this story has reached a worldwide social media feeding frenzy at this point, with everyone proclaiming “facts be damned,” at the same time when there are far more important things to get all worked into a lather about.

What’s your opinion?

Liz May Special Session respondents…… 13 and counting

@SoDakCampaigns

According to the Mitchell Daily Republic, Elizabeth May’s call for a special session seems to have fallen a bit flat:

May sent out a petition to state legislators to engage in a summer session in Pierre, but received only 13 signatures supported the special session. Of the three legislators from the Mitchell area, all three declined to sign the petition.

Rep. Joshua Klumb and Sen. Mike Vehle, of District 20—which includes Aurora, Davison and Jerauld counties—said the special session to address education is premature.

” … We already have a Blue Ribbon Task Force of legislators and other people to take a look at several of the education issues,” Vehle said. “I think to call a special session before that body is even through with this study, I don’t understand the reasoning.”

and..

“One, you’re probably not going to solve anything, and two, it would be an expensive waste of time,” Vehle said about engaging in a special session before the task force completes its study.

Read it all here.

I’ve heard various anecdotes such as the organizers of the call for the special session were a bit miffed that leadership didn’t pick up envelopes. And one legislator I spoke with was being harangued by a tea partier over her declining to sign on.

But facts are facts. And 13 out out 105 is barely 12%, putting this idea down in the history books as an idea which didn’t work.

Rounds Joins Effort to Give Military Retirees the Honor They Deserve

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RoundsPressHeader MikeRounds official SenateRounds Joins Effort to Give Military Retirees the Honor They Deserve

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services Committees, today signed onto legislation to honor as veterans, National Guard and Reserve retirees who served honorably for a minimum of 20 years but do not meet the active duty service requirement to qualify them as veterans under existing law. The bipartisan, bicameral Honor America’s Guard-Reserve Act of 2015 was introduced earlier this year by Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.).

“National Guard and Reserve members who have selflessly served in the defense of our nation deserve to be honored for their service,” said Rounds. “These men and women took an oath to defend our nation at any cost and stood ready to deploy to fulfill that oath at a moment’s notice. Giving them that recognition is the least we can do.”

Current law defines a veteran as servicemen and women who have served on active duty. This legislation would amend this definition and allow these Guard and Reserve retirees to be recognized as a veteran. Some retired National Guard and Reserve members did not serve on active duty and therefore, despite having devoted a portion of their lives to our national defense, are not recognized as veterans. Because no additional benefits beyond the title of veteran are extended to these retirees, there is no cost associated with this legislation

This legislation is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS). The House of Representatives passed similar legislation last Congress.

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Noem Named Hero of Main Street

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noem press header kristi noem headshot May 21 2014Noem Named Hero of Main Street

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Kristi Noem was today honored as a “Hero of Main Street” – an annual designation offered by the South Dakota Retailers Association in conjunction with the National Retail Federation.

“My family had a Main Street business, so I understand the struggles these businesses face as they create jobs within our communities,” said Noem.  “I want to fuel an Opportunity Economy for these hardworking individuals and families.  That will only come through smarter policies that unlock the potential of the American workforce by leveling the playing field so small businesses can compete in their communities and across the globe.  We have a long way to go to accomplish this, but I’m committed to moving us further in that direction every day.”

Created in 2013, the “Hero of Main Street “ award annually recognizes Members of Congress for their support for Main Street priorities.  Noem has been a recipient in 2013 and 2014 as well.

“South Dakota’s retailers and small businesses are working hard every day to create jobs, provide stellar customer service, and giving back to our state’s economy as well as their communities,” said Shawn Lyons, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association.  “We are very appreciative of the support from our Congressional Delegation to ensure that our retailers can thrive and survive in these challenging regulatory times.”

The South Dakota Retailers Association was founded in 1897.  With more than 3,700 members, the organization ranks as one of the largest state retail associations nationwide.  To search for a member in your community, please click here.

0715_HeroOfMainStreet

Pictured (Left to Right): Gary Cammack (Union Center), Shawn Lyons (Rapid City), Rep. Kristi Noem, Elmer Karl (Gregory), and Dan Tribby (Rapid City)

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Thune faces possibility of historic 2nd free pass. But then again, who wants to put themselves up for the scrutiny?

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From Jonathan Ellis at the Argus Leader:

thunehead2John Thune would become only the second Republican in history not to face a Democratic challenger in back-to-back election cycles if Democrats fail to find a challenger in 2016, according to an analysis of Senate races by Eric Ostermeier at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

and…

So far, of 34 races next year, Democrats do not have announced candidates in 11 states; Republicans are still searching for candidates in four states, Ostermeier writes.

Thune is sitting on $10.3 million, a formidable amount of money. Still, following the debacle of 2010, it’s expected that Democrats will find somebody.

Read it here.

Democrats have filled 2/3 of races this cycle, and South Dakota continues to be a tough nut for them to crack.

I’m hearing through the grapevine that Democrats are at the point of having to form a “selection committee” where they are getting together to try to drive someone out of the bushes to run. More likely, it will be to talk a member of the party faithful to get out there and “take one for the team;” something more and more democrats are reluctant to do, as evidenced by their declining candidates for constitutional races.

And that’s a good point. Candidates for constitutional office contests don’t face 1/4 of the scrutiny that candidates for US Congress or US Senate face. Whoever runs can expect to have their life paraded on a statewide stage and used as fodder, including their driving record, criminal history, and any legal entangements. Any current or former employees will be spoken with for dirt to be dug up.

And it’s not a threat directed at anyone in particular. In the 24 hour news cycle, that’s just the environment candidates are going to have to be aware of and to compete in, even in ‘nice’ South Dakota.

Any candidate chose by Democrats to represent their party aren’t just going to have to contend with facing a popular opponent who has 10.3 million in the bank. They’re also going to be facing themselves, and whatever feet of clay they might have.

Thune Statement on Passage of Bipartisan DRIVE Act

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thuneheadernew

John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressThune Statement on Passage of Bipartisan DRIVE Act

“Passing a bipartisan, multi-year highway bill will provide South Dakota with much-needed, long-term certainty to make important investments in infrastructure projects, leading to job creation and sustained economic growth in communities across the state.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the multi-year Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, which contains several Thune-led provisions that were included as part of the Commerce Committee-approved titles of the bill:

“Passing a bipartisan, multi-year highway bill will provide South Dakota with much-needed, long-term certainty to make important investments in infrastructure projects, leading to job creation and sustained economic growth in communities across the state,” said Thune. “I am proud that several key Commerce Committee-approved reforms to enhance safety, provide regulatory relief, streamline grant programs, and improve the accountability and efficiency of oversight efforts were included in this bill. Specifically, these reforms will help cut unnecessary red tape and provide relief to our agriculture transporters and custom harvesters in South Dakota.

“There is still more to be done, and I look forward to working with the House of Representatives as it completes its work in the months ahead.”

On July 15, the Commerce Committee, under Thune’s leadership, passed the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act, which was combined with legislation from other Senate committees that have jurisdiction over transportation issues to form this year’s highway bill. In addition to the regulatory relief for agriculture transporters and custom harvesters, the DRIVE Act creates new grant eligibility for states like South Dakota that provide 24/7 sobriety programs.

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