Thune on Fox Business: President Biden Condones Putin’s Pipeline, Kills American Energy
“[H]ow do you explain to the average American that [on] your first day in office you shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline, which brings energy from a friend, Canada, and gets it to places we need it in the United States, but when it comes to Nord Stream 2, you waive sanctions?”

Click here or on the picture above to watch the interview. 

NEW YORK, N.Y. — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business Network to discuss how the Biden administration and Democrats are handling Russia’s aggression, American energy production, and the rise in inflation that is continuing to burden American families with high costs on goods and services.

On how Democrats have handled Russia’s aggression around Ukraine: “It’s a very reactive position the administration’s been in … They keep saying, ‘well we’re gonna wait until [Putin] invades, then we’ll slap sanctions.’ Why would you do that?”  

On the sanctions package proposed by Senate Republicans: “The primary sanctions would hit them, the secondary sanctions would hit them really hard. And some of these financial sanctions that could be imposed could impose a real consequence to bad behavior.   “If [Putin] knew what the stakes were going [into a potential invasion], he wouldn’t be going in, and we should deter that.” 

On the White House ruling out certain financial sanctions on Russia: “I don’t think you ever tell a guy like Putin what you are not going to do. I mean, I don’t think you ever do that. And those sanctions honestly would be incredibly crushing to their economy, and I think that oughta be on the table. “And I don’t think you take any options off the table, really, at this point. This is historic, what we’re talking about. Huge ramifications, not just for the immediate region, but globally. And the world is watching.”  

On the Biden administration’s opposition to American energy compared to its support for Russian energy: “To me, how do you explain to the average American that [on] your first day in office you shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline, which brings energy from a friend, Canada, and gets it to places we need it in the United States, but when it comes to Nord Stream 2, you waive sanctions? “So you basically condone the Putin pipeline and kill American energy production.” 

On Democrats’ radical, far-left policies causing inflation: “In the middle of America, where people are actually having to pay the bills for this, there’s a political revolt building. I mean, I think the country is realizing how far out of the mainstream and how radical this agenda is, and what it means in terms of additional costs. “So you look at the average American family from year-over-year, since January of last year to this year, $3,500 more out of their pockets, just to pay for the things that they have to, you know, need to survive.  “That is a tax on everyone. And it hits lower-income and middle-income families the hardest.”

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Hey – an update from the campaign trail, as I managed to snag a few of the items that the candidates are passing around when they meet and greet the voters. First Mark Mowry for Senate with the same recurring problem:

I haven’t seen a bumper sticker like that before, but it looks like a small batch, fairly expensive item. Which still does not have a disclaimer on it, much like his prior materials.  At some point, that could get expensive for him when the FEC catches wind. Assuming that he’s going to be around past March. I remain skeptical.

Next is the campaign piece Monae Johnson is distributing in her run for Secretary of State:

The front is ok, although the back is a bit of a mess and has no mention of her name whatsoever, and has a generic list of qualifications and some random photos. And there’s that other problem.

If you’re going to note that you have 8 years’ experience in the Secretary of State’s office towards the top of your list, and highlight “election integrity,” you probably shouldn’t violate South Dakota campaign finance law regarding disclaimers on campaign material. Because it doesn’t have one.

I’d throw this batch away and start over.

And here’s a piece I’ve been looking for. Steve Haugaard for Governor. And I’m not sure, but Steve Haugaard might have actually found a way to communicate blandness in print:

“Second Amendment: The 2nd Amendment confers an individual right.“

Hold me back. I’m not sure how I could have ever doubted Steve’s ability to defeat the most popular Republican in South Dakota for Governor with a scintillating chestnut like that.

Again, they managed to communicate these resume points in a manner which actually has me looking up more synonyms for bland – banal, boring, white-bread, flavorless, tedious, uninteresting…  This looks more like a job application that’s missing the EEOC disclosure.  Further illustrating one of the Haugaard campaign’s problems.

The palm card looks more like they’re just going through the motions of producing a palm card just for the sake of being able to say they have one. Because they’re not communicating anything resembling excitement or energy.

In this case, I would have used the first page for the bullets, and used the second one to explain why people should care he’s been in the legislature and what he’s accomplished, as opposed to writing “Serving since 2015.”

Hang on for more. At least until March 29th.

Gov. Noem Launches Citizen Portal Website

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem announced the launch of the South Dakota Citizen Portal, an updated sd.gov website that will modernize citizen services.

“We want to make it easy to do business with the State of South Dakota,” Governor Noem said. “This portal is the launch point for the services that citizens regularly access, such as state park reservations or hunting licenses. This portal will allow people to create their own account, access all state agency services and maintain the records for services received.  I want South Dakota to be a leader in citizen-focused digital government.”

The Governor challenged her team to think citizen-first since the project kicked off last May.

The first version of the Governor’s Citizen Portal includes enhanced search functions that will help citizens find the services they need. The portal also provides a live agent online between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT during regular business days.

You can also reach a hotline for assistance at 605-773-3011. The hotline will be available between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT during regular business days.

Newly built-in services include the ability to request child-care assistance, information about our ConnectSD broadband program, and victims’ services. Additional services will be added to the Governor’s Citizen Portal as part of ongoing improvements.

The project is being paid for with a special appropriation by the legislature for the IT modernization fund. The goal is to update the state’s digital infrastructure in an effort to strengthen our systems against cybersecurity risks.

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There are several new names who have filed in the last day or so And they are joined by some very familiar ones.

The Big news is District 4 who now has a 4-way primary going for 2 house seats with the addition of Stephanie Sauder AND former Speaker of the House Val Rausch. Byron Callies joins them in D5, and there are several returning legislators with Bryan Breitling for Senate in D23, and Marli Wiese (D8), Roger Chase (D22), and Randy Gross (D25).

It’s all about consistency. Nice exchange caught on live feed between @govkristinoem and AP reporter @stephengroves today. pic.twitter.com/Ml4kM64kjm

— South Dakota GOP (@sdgop) February 17, 2022

Governor Noem and former AG Jackley issue mutual endorsements in respective 2022 elections

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

Pierre, SD – This afternoon, Governor Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Marty Jackley issued mutual endorsements, with Governor Noem endorsing former Attorney General Jackley in his election to retake his former post as South Dakota Attorney General and former Attorney General Jackley endorsing Governor Noem in her campaign for re-election this year.

Governor Noem stated the following in her endorsement of former Attorney General Jackley:

“South Dakota needs an Attorney General that believes in the constitution, has the confidence of law enforcement and the legal community, and understands the law. When any of these are lacking, our entire state feels the effect.

And so today, I am announcing my endorsement of Marty Jackley to be the next Attorney General of South Dakota. I believe that together we can work to uphold the law, keep our communities safe, and do great things for the people of South Dakota.”

Former Attorney General Jackley stated the following in issuing his endorsement of Governor Noem:

“South Dakota is thriving under Governor Noem’s leadership. She has my full support in her campaign for re-election. I am committed to working with Governor Noem and law enforcement to fight crime and to keep our South Dakota families safe. I am honored to receive her support and to offer her mine in this election.”

XXX

Taneeza Islam is finding her path to losing the race for Sioux Falls Mayor is 1 step backwards, and two more steps back after she criticized Mayor Paul TenHaken for giving bonuses to retain city workers.. and found herself being blasted for it by organized labor:

After both ordinances were approved — the vacation time 6-0 and the bonuses 5-1, with Councilor Pat Starr against — Islam tweeted it was “inappropriate for the mayor to ask the City Council to approve a substantial pay package for City employees.”

and..

(Kooper) Caraway (SD Federation of Labor) added “to insinuate that receiving bonuses they’ve earned through negotiations with the city will sway the election is condescending at best” and said the bonuses could not wait.

Read the entire story here.

Oops. You know you’re in trouble as a liberal Democrat when the head of the Federation of Labor lets you have it for trying to use bonuses for workers as a point to complain about.

Rasmussen announces candidacy for one-year term on Brookings City Council 

Andrew Rasmussen has announced and filed for the one-year term on the Brookings City Council. 

Rasmussen is running for the one-year term as an opportunity to connect the Brookings community and SDSU. By fostering conversation between the constituent groups, Rasmussen believes there can be greater integration between the two groups. 

“My background as someone who grew up in Brookings, attended SDSU and as someone who wants to stay in Brookings beyond graduation gives me a unique perspective to the issues facing Brookings,” he said. 

Rasmussen’s top goals are to work on workforce development, community engagement, and bring a young voice to the table on housing, retail, and entertainment options. 

Rasmussen is a Brookings native and current student at South Dakota State University. He was elected as President of the SDSU Students’ Association in 2021. He is heavily involved in the Brookings community including the Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program and Great After-School Program (GAP), where he works. 

He will graduate from SDSU in May with degrees in Journalism and Political Science and intends to continue his education, pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies. 

Connect with the Campaign on Facebook: Andrew Rasmussen for Council 

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Thune Bill Demands Accountability for Biden Allowing Taliban Takeover of U.S. Military Equipment

Bill would provide important accountability for the U.S. military equipment left behind after botched withdrawal from Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to require the director of national intelligence to report to Congress any time it is determined that U.S. military equipment that was abandoned in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria is used in a terrorist attack against the United States or its allies or used in nearby regions.

“Americans were rightfully shocked to see Taliban fighters celebrating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan atop military equipment funded by U.S. taxpayers,” said Thune. “While there was a significant effort to destroy a portion of the military equipment left behind in the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul, the rapid fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban resulted in insurgents scoring an untold cache of weapons and other equipment. It’s especially insulting to think that this very equipment, issued to provide security and stability, could now be used for evil acts of violence. As the nation seeks answers for the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, this bill would provide important accountability for the equipment left behind and, most importantly, it would provide information to underscore the unacceptable risk of inadvertently arming terrorists by abandoning military equipment.”

This legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).

Thune’s bill would require notification of any known details relating to the equipment used in the attack; the date on which, and the location from which, the equipment left U.S. custody; attribution for the orchestrators of the attack; and the total number of deaths and casualties caused by the attack.

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KASSIN ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR DISTRICT 17 HOUSE

VERMILLION, SD – Chris Kassin, a long-time resident of Vermillion, announced his candidacy for the South Dakota House of Representatives in District 17, comprised of Clay County and Southern Union County.

“This region has been my home for twenty years and I know firsthand that together we can overcome any challenge, while capitalizing on opportunities for future generations of South Dakotans,” said Chris Kassin. “I promise to bring the same principled, common-sense approach which guides my professional life to Pierre while also keeping my children at the forefront of my decision-making,” Kassin added.

Kassin, a Republican, resides in Vermillion with his wife, Katie, and two children, Collins (8) and Kellen (5). The Kassin’s daughter Collins was born with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes problems with breathing and digestion.

“Since our daughter was born, we have committed ourselves to causes that cure and treat Cystic Fibrosis,” said Kassin. “Although the fight to cure CF is not over, tremendous advancements have been made. I embrace this new opportunity to advocate for my child and others in need of fair and passionate health care representation,” he added.

Kassin currently serves as the Vice President of External Relations for the University of South Dakota Foundation. In this capacity, Kassin works to secure resources to improve the student experience and make education more affordable. Kassin holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota.

For more information, please visit chriskassin.com or send an email to info@chriskassin.com. You can also visit Chris Kassin for House on Facebook.

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