CNN is reporting this week on how Mark Robinson has disappeared from the advertising for Dakota Action Conservative PAC’s fundraising gala, and that Toby ‘dumpster-fire’ Doeden isn’t returning calls on whether his holocaust denying buddy is going to be speaking or not:
Outside of North Carolina, national Republicans and conservative activist and advocacy groups have distanced themselves from Robinson. In neighboring Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp withdrew his endorsement of Robinson on Monday. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, the chair of the Republican Governors Association, also pulled his endorsement and canceled a RGA fundraiser in Greensboro, North Carolina. The RGA confirmed to CNN it would not spend any more money in the governor’s race.
Other canceled events featuring Robinson include a since-removed fundraiser to support the Trump-Vance campaign in Wisconsin on September 29. An updated invitation online now reads, “Our earlier speaker cancelled, but we have secured a great Trump ally for this event! Stay tuned!”
Robinson was also scheduled to appear as the main speaker at a fundraiser for the conservative group Dakota First Action in October. Updated promotions for the event no longer feature Robinson, and the group has not responded to questions on whether he is still speaking.
(I just got this press release from Lee Stranahan, and while I would normally ignore it, it made me laugh. But upon examination, it seems less amusing, and more of a cry for attention. -pp)
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Date:** September 26, 2024
**Former Dr. Annette Bosworth Spokesman Sues Bosworth, Chad Haber, and Others for $5.2 Million, Alleging Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Abuse of Process**
**Sioux Falls, SD –** Lee Stranahan, a well-known journalist and former spokesman for Dr. Annette Bosworth, has announced a $5.2 million lawsuit against Bosworth**, her husband Chad Haber, their long-time attorney Jeff Beck, and his ex-wife Lauren Stranahan. The lawsuit alleges conspiracy to commit fraud and abuse of process, and other claims centering on a series of legal maneuvers involving “forum shopping” and false filings that Stranahan claims have devastated his family, his health and professional life. Stranahan asserts that Bosworth and Haber, working with Beck and Lauren Stranahan, played critical roles in the fraudulent filings used to manipulate the legal process.
Stranahan previously worked Chad Haber during his run for Attorney General in 2014, though the two had a falling out during the course of the campaign. Additionally, Dr. Annette Bosworth was a frequent guest on Stranahan’s radio show in Washington, D.C., which he hosted from 2017 for seven years overall. Bosworth regularly appeared on the show to discuss topics related to the ketogenic diet.
“This is not about the personal dirty laundry. It’s real simple,” said Stranahan. “People get divorced, and when they do, they should not lie and commit perjury and come up with a scheme to move kids out of their home through forum shopping. That should be obvious.”
Stranahan claims this is a clear case of forum shopping, a legal tactic where one party manipulates jurisdiction to gain a favorable outcome, often at the expense of justice. “Forum shopping devastates families, and it’s exactly what happened here,” Stranahan emphasized.
Press Conference Details
Lee Stranahan, a stroke survivor will be holding a press conference to present the facts of the case on Friday, September 27th at 2 p.m. Central Time in the conference room of the Siouxland downtown Library, located at 200 N Dakota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Doors will open slightly early for setup. Members of the press and citizen journalists are invited to attend. Stranahan will be showing evidence, including audio of a Virginia court official saying that Attorney Jeff Beck , and will be taking questions from attendees. Following the press conference, Stranahan will proceed to the courthouse to file the lawsuit papers. Photographers and videographers are invited to attend.
About Lee Stranahan Lee Stranahan is a journalist and former White House reporter with an extensive background in investigative reporting. He previously served as the spokesman for Dr. Annette Bosworth during her 2014 legal controversy and has hosted numerous political radio shows. Stranahan brings his professional expertise to bear in this case, shedding light on legal manipulation that has deeply impacted his family.
I did not know where the road would lead, but please listen to how you can help. pic.twitter.com/XsvbNRio0u
The Yes on Referred Law 21 group has an ad out that that is beginning it’s run in South Dakota media markets. And you can watch it here!
The group promoting a Yes vote on Referred Law 21 has a positive & future oriented message from ag producers focusing on the jobs and economic impact that the pipeline project will bring to South Dakota, as well as the additional revenue that it will provide for counties.
Among the several ag producers featured, the ad also features farmer and former Secretary of the South Dakota State Department of Agriculture Walt Bones, Jr.
With many races already decided in the primary elections with fall elections quickly approaching, it is that time where legislators turn to more noble pursuits..
Oh, who are we kidding? It’s time for our elected officials to start campaigning for caucus leadership. From reports of checks being written and calls being made, here’s the state of how the 2025 leadership races look, which will likely be decided shortly after the election possibly on the eve before the Governor’s budget address.
House of Representatives:
Speaker of the House – Mike Stevens v. Jon Hansen Speaker Pro Temp – Taylor Rehfeldt v Karla Lems Majority Leader – Will Mortenson v. Scott Odenbach Assistant Leader – Drew Peterson v. Greg Jamison v. Marty Overweg
The House races seem to be driven by the forces of stability holding the caucus together these past 2 years versus the crew that wants to go back to the bad old days that we had under house leaders such as Spencer Gosch, or Steve Haugaard. Remember the years where women were commanded that they can’t go sleeveless, and special session votes were held as secret? Those were not the good old days.
Senate:
President Pro Temp – Dave Wheeler v. Steve Kolbeck v. Chris Karr Majority Leader – Casey Crabtree v Jim Mehlhaff Assistant Majority Leader – Helene Duhamel or Sydney Davis v. possibly Taffy Howard*
The race for the leader of the State Senate is a toss up at the moment between Wheeler, Kolbeck & Karr each working to find a pathway forwards with the votes they have to work with. And that may be decided by who wins on November 5, and who can build a coalition with the Democrats that end up in the Senate. The contest for Majority Leader is surprising, considering Crabtree’s strong leadership over the past 2 years, but given the stack of wild cards thrown in the Senate with the number of new people coming in – who knows how that is going to go.
Same thing for the race for Assistant Majority Leader. It’s an election day contest. #1 will be whether Helene Duhamel is successful in her re-election effort against Independent candidate & transplanted Texan Karen McNeal. Another strong contender is District 17’s Sydney Davis. These two candidates – both of whom are solid legislators and lovely people – would likely not run against each other as much as find middle ground. *There are rumors that Taffy Howard is going out and meeting Senators, possibly in a bid for a leadership seat. Buuut… There are also rumors that she’s making personal visits begging for cash because her coffers have dried up after the primary. We’ll see what shakes out when Pre-General reports are filed.
With those names floating around in the ether in Leadership discussions the most sure bet is that once we have the election, then things are going to get really crazy.
I don’t think I’d seen this figure before, but WOW. How to eliminate 1/3 of South Dakota State Budget at the hands of a very poorly written ballot measure:
According to a memo to be presented to the Joint Committee on Appropriations on July 30, 2024, the LRC estimates that IM-28 could negatively impact South Dakota’s state budget by up to $646.2 million for the 2025 Fiscal Year. This amount represents 46.5 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue and 100 percent of tobacco tax revenues.
The “Save Reggie saga” from the Republican National Convention seems to have gotten a whole lot sillier this afternoon, with the complaining delegate claiming that it was a Hatfield-McCoy-type feud which culminated in an angry phone grudge toss, when reality seems to be more like annoying influencers trying to get video of themselves at the expense of the crowd at large.
But the best bit of information is – despite what reads like a dime store novel – is that they can’t actually find a victim who was iBonked by an iPhone:
Lauschke claimed Larry Rhoden had a more boisterous reaction at the Fort Pierre rodeo center on May 2. Lauschke said he witnessed the lieutenant governor having what he described as “an absolute fit” after failing to claim a delegate spot, and that he was directly confronted by Larry Rhoden after the regional election.
and.
Lauschke claimed he was laying on the ground as the state’s delegates were congregating around Rhoden to capture video of Howard, who had asked Lauschke to film her taking part in the roll call using her cell phone. Lauschke explained he was attempting to capture a “dramatic,” low-angle shot of Howard and the group.
That’s when Reggie Rhoden allegedly pushed past two female delegates to insert himself in front of the group and stand next to his father before the studio cameras went live for the vote, Lauschke claimed. In the process, Lauschke said Reggie Rhoden allegedly instructed him to stand up before “wrestling” the phone out of his hand and tossing it toward the Maryland group, which hit a delegate in the legs. Lauschke said his right wrist was “hurt a little bit” as a result.
and..
Lauschke said. “I made slot No. 3 for the entire state, and Larry got nothing … and I think that is part of the anger that Reggie Rhoden, his son, had, part of that anger just discharged at that moment.”
and..
The state’s Republican Party Executive Director Adam Wood told the Argus Leader none of the Maryland delegates reported being hit by a phone and that he had learned about the alleged incident when this paper contacted him on Sept. 19.
What the iHell did I just read? Because the tales of revenge and violently thrown iPhones given to the media by the alleged victim seems completely and utterly ridiculous. How about an alternative guess of what may have transpired that seems closer to reality…
Man with iPhone lays on the ground in front of Republican Delegation in the middle of the Republican convention to get video for self-important person who wants to mug for the camera. Party employee notices older person laying on the ground in front of delegation moments before the national convention camera comes over for the live spot for national TV, and goes you can’t lay on the ground in the middle of the convention, and hauls him up and out of the way, while guy drops phone. Man who laid on ground in middle of crowded group of thousands of people doesn’t get video, phone is scattered to wind in crush of crowd, and he throws fit.
Because that seems like a much more plausible story than the tale of delegate jealousy and revenge that’s being spun. And you can’t help but notice as reported in the story that “none of the Maryland delegates reported being hit by a phone.” Despite the drama ridden tale that they’re trying to sell for sympathy.
If we should take anything away from the story, it’s that if you lay down in a crowd of 2500 people, someone is going to tell you to stand up, and may help get your fool rear-end out of the way.
And you might drop your phone if you’re trying to film the whole thing.
Thune: Families Falling Behind in Biden-Harris Economy
“President Biden has talked a lot about building an economy from the bottom up and the middle out. But it’s lower- and middle-income Americans who have suffered the most in the Biden-Harris economy.”
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about the burden Americans are facing as a result of the Biden-Harris administration’s reckless spending. Thune noted that American families have to spend over $13,000 more per year to maintain the same standard of living they had when President Biden and Vice President Harris took office.
Gov. Noem and Colleagues Demand that Sen. Schumer Protect Jewish Americans
PIERRE, S.D.– Governor Kristi Noem and 25 fellow Republican governors demanded that U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pass legislation to protect and show support for Jewish-American communities. You can read the letter here.
““We are less than one month away from the first anniversary of October 7, when Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, tortured, and kidnapped Israeli and American citizens,” wrote Governor Noem and her colleagues. “Meanwhile, we have all watched the horrific rise of overt antisemitism on display in our own nation. As students across the country return to college campuses, we must send a unified and clear message that antisemitism will not be tolerated in America.”
There are still more than 60 hostages presumed alive but held captive in Gaza. Earlier this month, Israeli Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six hostages in a tunnel Gaza, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
“Seven Americans are still held hostage by Hamas – we should never forget about them,” said Governor Noem.
Earlier this year, Governor Noem signed a historic bill to combat antisemitism, HB 1076. The bill requires the consideration of the definition of antisemitism when investigating unfair or discriminatory practices. It defines antisemitism and makes it easier to prove when discriminatory conduct is motivated by antisemitism. Governor Noem singed this bill during a signing ceremony in March and was joined by many prominent leaders in the Jewish-American community.
“Republican governors across the nation have unanimously supported the adoption of the IHRA working definition at the state level, and now we call upon the U.S. Senate to show support for our nation’s Jewish population at this time of growing attacks against their religion. Our nation was founded on freedom of religion, and this legislation reaffirms our commitment that people can live, learn, and prosper safely. There is no place for hate in our great nation.”
Governor Noem was joined in signing the letter by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.
IM28 Requires Cuts to Schools and Nursing Homes by House Majority Leader Will Mortenson (R-Fort Pierre) and Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree (R-Madison) September 25, 2024
In November, South Dakotans will decide whether to adopt a measure that would have a massive impact on the state budget and all who rely on it. Initiated Measure 28 (IM28) would repeal taxes on tobacco, food, toothpaste, and everything else that humans consume. It would reduce state funding by at least $176 Million with no replacement revenue, meaning it would require the state to cut at least $176 Million.
Balancing the budget is something we take seriously in South Dakota – our constitution requires it. IM28 does not include any plan to pay for itself; it simply eliminates revenue. Less revenue coming in must be accounted for somewhere, that is simple math and common sense. In South Dakota, we don’t use one-time money for ongoing expenses. Our budget must be truly balanced, with no gimmicks.
And we aren’t going to raise taxes. We need to honor the will of the voters. If the voters approve IM28, it would be bizarre to say that the will of the voters is to raise another tax. If the people had wanted to switch one tax for another one, they would have proposed that. Instead, IM28 contains a large revenue reduction with no replacement.
So – if IM28 passes, we will need to reduce state spending by at least $176 Million. Before going to vote, South Dakotans deserve to know what those cuts will mean. The state budget is comprised of four main buckets: Education, Medicaid, Public Safety, and Everything Else. Education accounts for approximately 45% of the general fund budget. Medicaid, which funds nursing homes, hospitals, and other care providers, is about 35%. Public Safety, which includes prisons, courts, and law enforcement, makes up 15% or so. Everything Else is about 5% of the state budget.
Category
Approximate Expense
Education
45% ($1.05 Billion)
Medicaid
35% ($800 Million)
Public Safety
15% ($350 Million)
Everything Else
5% ($150 Million)
Each 1% of the state budget costs about $25 Million. Based on the size of the reduction proposed in IM28, we would need to cut at least 7% across-the-board. We are hopeful to have 2% or 3% growth in revenues this year, which would reduce the cuts to about 5%. So, if IM28 passes and the state has strong revenue growth, the minimum cut that South Dakotans should expect for schools and nursing homes would be about 5%. If revenues weaken, of course, the cuts could be larger.
We believe this is among the most irresponsible measures ever put before the voters. Every South Dakotan who runs a household, business, or organization knows that you don’t just cut revenue with no plan. That is a recipe for disaster. Yet, that is what has been proposed in IM28. The Democratic Party recently endorsed cutting schools and nursing homes through this plan, showing their party bosses stand for deficits and irresponsible budgeting. IM28 would be flat-out harmful to South Dakota. We strongly urge a ‘No’ vote.
However, if IM28 passes, we will respect the will of the voters. If they decide to cut revenues and expenses by passing IM28, we will honor their decision. We will not allow South Dakota to fall into deficits and debt. And we will not raise taxes. If IM28 passes, we will take our direction from the voters: reduce revenues and cut spending on schools, nursing homes, public safety, and everything else.
CNN is reporting this week on how Mark Robinson has disappeared from the advertising for Dakota Action Conservative PAC’s fundraising gala, and that Toby ‘dumpster-fire’ Doeden isn’t returning calls on whether his holocaust denying buddy is going to be speaking or not:
