South Dakota War College celebrating 16 years in the blogosphere!

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Recognizing that we’ve been kicking around for a while, South Dakota War College (or if you use the shorthand, dakotawarcollege) turns an incredible 16 years old on this coming Friday.   To celebrate, I’ll be writing, blogging, taking pictures, etc., from the State Capital Building in Pierre, the city where it all started.

When many political blogs fizzle out after a couple of years, somehow we’ve managed to stay active and relevant for more than a decade and 1/2 in the South Dakota political scene. While it’s not “Gold Watch” worthy, nowadays, I think keeping anything going for 16 years is a considerable amount of time.

It’s long enough to go from a 17 inch monitor on a PC I built myself to my Imac with a 27 inch screen. And long enough I find myself starting to use “office glasses” this year.

It’s really funny when I note my children who weren’t even in school/barely in school when I was starting to write the blog now relate that they run in to fellow college kids who find out their blog-related parentage and declare “that’s your dad, he’s awesome!”  To which they respond “Stop. No he’s not. He’s boring and spends all his time behind a computer.”

Or better yet, the questioner’s eyes get narrow, and my child gets a terse “So, your dad is Pat Powers who writes the blog.  Hmmph.”  One daughter usually smiles and replies in her pollyanish manner “Well, if you hate my dad, my mom is liked by a lot of people.”

Apparently you can’t please everyone. (As I check my back for tire tracks after all that rolling under the bus by my children.)

And maybe, one of they keys to my being around for as long as I have is that I haven’t really worried too much about pleasing people. I’m going to write about what I choose. Whether people are enthused about that or not.

When I started this back 16 years ago, I was working for State Government, and I actually had pressure from a high ranking staff member in offices on the 2nd floor that they didn’t want me writing it.  Blogs were new, and a lot of people were … uneasy with citizen journalism.  They actually went to my cabinet level boss at the time and told them they didn’t want me writing it.  To my boss’ eternal credit, as he related to me, “I told them it’s on your own time, and you have a first amendment right.”  (I believe he might have used the words “f.o.” if you know what the abbreviation is for.)

In my first year or two, I also get kicked out of a Republican Central Committee meeting, with the pronouncement to the crowd “There is a blogger in the room, and we have to ask him to leave.”

In the intervening years, the newness of citizen journalism has worn off, and people’s comfort level has improved somewhat, as you can tell from the Republican candidates and groups who now advertise here.  For the GOP, I’ve gone from getting kicked out of their meetings to a recognition that there’s a lot of the GOP opinion leaders who actively read the website, and it’s a good way to communicate their message to the people they want to read it.

With 16 years under my belt and looking towards the future, there have been times I’ve gotten bored with it. I even turned it over to others for a period for job purposes. But just when you think you’re out…. they pull you back in.

This blog has always and ultimately been about getting elected. When this started way back in 2005, my inaugural message noted “There are tons of good Republican candidates out there, but many of them lack someone to show them the way. Hopefully, this weblog can serve as a reference for campaign “newbies” and those with some experience to use as something to get them pointed in the right direction.”

Since then, I’ve gone far, far beyond that to talk more about what’s going on in the South Dakota political world, but I think the base message still resonates to those who have an interest in running for office.

If I can communicate anything to candidates, it’s to remind them to try to avoid doing foolish (or offensive) things. You’re running to convince not the 20% of people who are with you, but the 80% of people who are not, that you represent their best opportunity for a better future.  Be inspirational and aspirational.

Hopefully, that’s good advice.  Here’s to 16 more years, and we’ll see you in Pierre on Friday.

(I’ll try not to get kicked out of any more Republican Central Committee meetings. But no guarantees on that one.)

Change in Legislative vacancy appointments (that no one was asking for) crushed on House floor 2-1

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House Joint Resolution 5002 met such a swift execution on the House Floor yesterday that Senator Rusch might bring a bill to make the consideration of its demise more merciful.

(Okay, that’s a death penalty legislation joke, but you get my point.)

House Joint Resolution 5002, a measure that no one had asked for it, proposed a Constitutional Amendment to strip the power of legislative appointment from the Governor, and hand it over to the state legislature or their designee, despite the language in the constitution giving that authority to the governor.

Suffice it to say that it didn’t go well.

While it passed out of committee, the House of Representatives took the measure to the woodshed and beat it badly on a 23-46 basis.

Part of the reason House members rejected it was that it was poorly conceived, just as it had been when it was introduced in a past session. According to the Argus Leader:

Dennert suggested the legislature craft rules around vacancy appointments similar to the process of replacing candidates on a ballot. In the latter instance, ranking members of a political party within the open legislative district would make the selection.

Read that here.

And that was that. However, if you’re a fan of bad legislation, take heart. The sponsor of the measure is already threatening us with it’s return:

Dennert told the Argus Leader on Thursday on the House floor he will not attempt to revive the resolution during this session but will potentially reintroduce it in future years.

Read that in the same place.

Given the measure’s track record.. I suspect I’ll be able to reprint the arguments against it at a future date.

Again.

SDSU School Newspaper editorial throws cold water on new Anti-Vaxxer legislation

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From the SDSU Collegian, the student newspaper editorial board at our states largest university recognizes the ill-advised nature of the anti-vaxxer bill that’s come back before the state legislature:

House Bill 1097 is titled “An Act to provide for philosophical exceptions to required vaccinations.” The bill, if it would become law, allows individuals to opt out of vaccination requirements in educational setting. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Tom Pischke and Rep. Phil Jenson. 

and..

Not all of the five remaining legislators have sponsored this year’s edition of the anti-vaccination legislation; in fact, only HB 1097’s prime sponsor, Pischke, decided to revive the concept. 

Regardless of potential political consequences, this is bad legislation.

Read it all here.

 

Thune Questions Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Tom Vilsack

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Thune Questions Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Tom Vilsack

Click here or on the picture above to watch Thune’s questioning.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry today questioned Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture nominee. If confirmed, Vilsack will be head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the second time, as he served as secretary during the Obama administration. Thune questioned him on his outlook on strengthening the cattle market, country of origin labeling, and support for biofuels. The Senate Agriculture Committee also advanced Vilsack’s nomination today, which now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

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Dusty Johnson, 83 House Republicans to introduce the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act

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Scalise Joins Republican Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Authorize Construction and Operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and 83 House Republicans to introduce the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation Act. This legislation authorizes the construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline and declares that a Presidential permit is not required. This legislation follows President Biden’s decision to rescind the border crossing permit.

“President Biden has initiated an all-out assault on American jobs, starting with his day-one decision to cancel the Keystone Pipeline. President Biden had a choice of whether he would support our recent progress toward American energy independence, lower household energy costs, and the creation of well-paying American jobs, and instead he sold out those hard-working families to appease the most radical left base of his party. Unfortunately, he chose to fire thousands of union workers, turn his back on our Canadian allies, and make our country more reliant on energy from countries that don’t like us, like Russia and OPEC nations. The truth is that energy made and moved in America creates good jobs, lowers the cost of gas and electricity for families, and advances American interests on the world stage. By revoking the Keystone XL pipeline permit, President Biden has chosen the opposite path, harming hard-working families, and placing American energy security at risk, while forcing us to be reliant upon countries who emit more carbon to produce the same energy, thus increasing global carbon emissions while crushing thousands of good American jobs. I’m proud to co-sponsor this legislation that reverses this radical, job-crushing unilateral action, and instead stands up for American jobs and energy security.” – Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.)

“President Biden’s decision to stop construction of the Keystone Pipeline is catastrophic for American workers and families. Its impact on global climate change is negligible, but its consequences for workers, families, and energy independence are decidedly negative. Already, it has killed thousands of good, union jobs, and it could lead to higher energy costs for families and increase our dependence on dirtier Russian energy. At a time when households are already struggling, our immediate priorities are to protect American jobs and promote affordable energy, especially natural gas. What’s more, if we are actually serious about addressing climate change, we need smart solutions that provide cleaner energy at affordable prices through innovation, research, and technology. Eliminating the Keystone Pipeline will make both those objectives more difficult to achieve. Instead of eliminating it, we should embrace it. I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation because it defends American workers and promotes a serious pathway to cleaner energy.”– Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

“The Keystone XL Pipeline is expected to provide approximately 11,000 jobs and up to 60,000 indirect and supporting jobs, generate tax revenue, decrease our reliance on foreign energy, and strengthen American national security and energy independence. President Biden’s decision to revoke the Keystone XL Pipeline permit is an attack on the way of life for thousands of people who rely on energy production to feed their families. The Keystone XL Pipeline would transport safe and reliable energy across our Nation, providing thousands of American jobs in the process and increasing our national security. We must do everything we can to see this terrible decision reversed and fight for energy policies that help move North Dakota and our Nation forward.” – Congressman Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.)

“The Keystone XL Pipeline is crucial not just for our energy industry and our economy, but for our national security interests as well. It’s devastating that President Biden would cancel the continued construction of this pipeline, which will destroy thousands of jobs, increase energy costs, and make our nation more dependent on our adversaries for important resources that we need. As our economy rebounds, we need to be doing everything possible to create quality jobs for families, while reducing the burdens they face when it comes to the cost of energy. Continuing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline is an important way for us to do that. I applaud Reps. Armstrong and Johnson for leading the way in introducing this bill, and I encourage all members of Congress – including Democrats – who support good-paying union jobs, lower energy costs, and efforts to allow the United States to maintain our energy independence to support this legislation so that construction of this pipeline can continue.”  – Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.)

“Millions of Americans continue to struggle due to the economic hardship brought on by COVID-19. The last thing this country needs are unilateral mandates and directives that eliminate jobs in the name of politics, like President Biden’s decision to revoke the Keystone XL pipeline permit. This pie-in-the-sky approach has already failed to address climate change risks in states like California and cedes control of America’s energy future to China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. We need realistic, all-of-the-above energy solutions that solve the same problems without hampe

ring our economy and energy independence. Thanks to Congressman Armstrong’s leadership, our bill will not only save the energy and construction jobs that President Biden cast aside on his first day in office, but also protect U.S. national security, keep energy costs low, and promote American-led energy innovation.” – Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)

“For years Keystone XL played by the rules and met its burden of proof, earning dozens of local, state, and federal permits. The rule of law shouldn’t be destroyed with the swipe of the President’s pen. Rep. Armstrong’s bill reforms this system and would save American jobs along the way.” – Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.)

Cory Heidelberger suffering from more ‘Noem Derangement,’ and just making it up about the Governor at this point.

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When it comes to Noem Derangement, you might give Cory Heidelberger an “A” for effort. Unfortunately, he earned a big fat “F” for just making stuff up this morning.

Governor Kristi Noem has taken up permanent residence in former Dem State Senate candidate Heidelberger’s head for some time now, with a constant string of attacks against the governor, her kids, etc, over at his website Dakota Free Press.  And today, Cory was bawling out a claim that Governor Noem somehow does not support Republican candidates:

But she invested not one penny of her campaign cash to help any South Dakota candidates. With Republicans on the ballot across the state, she did not lift a campaign pinky to share her good will, her good name, and her good dollars with Republicans who actually had to work to keep their jobs in South Dakota.

Read that silliness here.

The problem with that? Apparently, Cory just made that up, and didn’t bother to fact-check past his hatred for the Governor. At all:

Kristi Noem Committee Transfers and Donations by Pat Powers on Scribd

If the benchmark of supporting candidates is raw cash, a momentary glance at Kristi’s Federal PAC (KEEPING REPUBLICAN IDEAS STRONG TIMELY & INVENTIVE), you quickly find that Governor Noem stepped forward in a number of races, supporting Mike Rounds and Dusty Johnson early in the year, and from then on directly supported a number of State Legislative Candidates.

But that’s just referring to her writing a check. That’s not counting Governor Noem giving of herself:

That picture had been taken less than a week before it went on that postcard. And there’s a nice quote from the Governor on the back. That’s not the kind of thing that’s done without the Governor’s involvement.  And I believe if you look, there are other examples of Governor Noem stepping forward with appearances at fundraisers, etc., not to mention lending her name to general Republican fundraising efforts, which in turn went to support Republican candidates statewide.

If you look at the election results as they turned out in November.. the GOP did quite well from the efforts of a lot of candidates, statewide volunteers, and others. And in no small part from the efforts of Governor Noem to support the GOP.

I suppose Cory can continue to get all angry over the keyboard at Kristi, and froth at the mouth when he’s suffering from his next bout of Noem Derangement.

But he probably needs to quit making stuff up. Or at least, get over his weirdness when it comes to female politicians.

Rounds Statement on Meeting with President Biden to Discuss COVID-19 Relief

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Rounds Statement on Meeting with President Biden to Discuss COVID-19 Relief

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today issued the following statement regarding a meeting he and nine of his Republican colleagues participated in with President Biden to discuss COVID-19 relief.

“South Dakotans sent me to Washington to stand up for our principles and get results. It’s important to be in these discussions to advocate for our state and work to keep out the bad policies that will hurt our families and businesses. As the saying goes – ‘if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.’

“Even though President Biden and I disagree on many issues, I’m grateful for his willingness to listen to our ideas and be open to compromise. Everyone in today’s meeting has shared goal of eliminating COVID-19 and providing relief to families who are truly struggling. It is better to build consensus and find a bipartisan path forward, rather than a massive, partisan bill that congressional Democrats are currently proposing.

“My primary goal in any COVID-19 relief package is to make sure that it is targeted and directly addresses the pandemic itself. And we must keep out provisions unrelated to COVID-19 – such as raising the national minimum wage – that will kill jobs and hurt the economy, especially at a time where we’re trying tirelessly to get people back to work.

“We agreed to keep talking on these important issues and I look forward to continue working together on areas in which we can find consensus.”

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