As I’m working on retiring for the night, I am recalling a few of the things I learned in Pierre today as I mixed and mingled among our state’s lawmakers.
1 – The session this year was lower key, and lower stress. Apprently making with more legislation and less personal conflict makes for happier legislators looking to come back.
Usually they bemoan ever coming back by this time, but No split caucuses, no one threatening other legislators… *Sigh*. They liked being here this year.
2 – Brian Gosch is a more benevolent majority leader than expected. And, they think he’s ok. One legislator who was among those who attended rebel caucus meetings in the last two years remarked on the high grades they gave Brian Gosch for the more Laissez-faire attitude he brings, and that he lets things go that might have otherwise set off conflicts with leadership before.
With a “you get out what you put in” leadership style, you aren’t hearing about rebels this year, are you?
3 – Is that Marty Jackley lurking? I’m hearing that, quietly, Jackley is chatting some legislators up letting them know he’s definitely got his eye on a big race in 2018. More than one person talked about Charlie McGuigan and/or Jim Seward jousting for Jackley’s current seat.
4 – With Senator Rounds, Governor Daugaard, and state chair Pam Roberts all based in Pierre, the GOP’s dormant office in town may be thinking about turning some lights back on.
5 – And everybody I spoke with has written Democrats off in 2016, and expect them to abandon candidacies against both Noem & Thune, leaving them uncontested.
Any other thoughts.? What’s your gossip?
- Watch this page
Mickelson has also been making major moves in his bid for the Governor’s chair, locking down support and raising his visibility West River. He has a solid plan for winning the primary and raising the necessary money for both the primary and the general. Not only does he have a plan to win elections but also a plan to govern. Looking forward for an issue based contest centering around moving the state in a positive direction!
Well said
I like to think of it as “continuing to move the State in a positive direction”. This will be an interesting race that’s already forming.
Ditto. He is much better than I expected. He will be a great governor. He has the horsepower to get things done.
I also learned that the Kings Inn has the worst pillows in the history of civilization. Smashed paper thin, they were unbendable. I think I’m sleeping elsewhere tonight.
Invest in a camper or RV?
Jim Seward are you kidding me? No way!
Gosch for AG.
I don’t see Jackley as having the strength but he would be good as Mickelson’s LG.
Jackley is smart but he’s not really a politician at heart and unless he learns how to be one he’s not getting the big chair.
Jackley is highly competent and awesome.
I sat close to Jackley at the SDSU-USD men’s basketball game Monday night at the Summit League tournament. He was seated in the very top row, the nose-bleed section. Knowing how ‘important’ Mr. Jackley is, I had to wonder why he was sitting in the regular seats. Why was he not invited to sit in one of the suites paid for by someone ‘important’. Surely he must have connections. Not everyone shares your opinion that he is ‘competent and awesome’.
Mikelson–no on gun bills; yes for common core; yes for no fault divorce in committee, but flips to no on the floor.
No on Mikelson. If this is leadership I’ll pass.
we’ll see you all at governor michel’s inauguration.
there’s really nobody more fit for the job than michels. make him lt governor might have been the best of dennis daugaard’s many great decisions.
Also heard today Rhoden was exploring the possibility of a run for governor. Throw in the possibility of Noem and Michels and we are looking at a real horse race. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!
Lots of rumors… that is what they are until people declare and it is WAY EARLY yet.
Today we learned of a true Representative in the House. A guy, yes even a guy who calls himself a guy, kind of guy!
A Genius actually in preserving the Will of the People, that would be South Dakota people. (Hint; we don’t live in California so we don’t have to act Left Coast here!)
Know what he did? He Hoghoused SB 140 and replaced it with HB 1195.
Now would be a great time to call your Senator and demand he vote Yay on SB 140 !
Yep, that sounds about right. Spoken like a true member of the Grand Old Party of Hate.
Charlie this whole effort behind 1195/SB-140 is being blown way out of proportion based on unfounded fear. Do you really think some 6’6″ transgender hs student would put a target on their back for the sake of competition? It’s not just the kid but the parents or parent that lives in that community? Have you ever been a ref for a youth basketball game and had to throw a parent out of the game for let’s say as an understatement being a little too caught up in the game?
There are many levels of dynamics involved and if such a situation were to occur in one of our school districts I’m sure both the parents, the child and admins would desire the least amount of disruption as possible for everyone and I stress everyone involved.
Every situation will be different and I support the SD High School Association to deal with it since they will be able to best adjust to the local situation. For any kid to go thru this there are very thorough guidelines and levels of help for them and this is not something that is done casually.
This whole idiotic thing reminds me of a joke I found on Public Radio’s website :
Lars–a Norwegian from Cook County in northern Minnesota– was an older, single gentleman who was born and raised a Lutheran. Each Friday Night after work, he would fire up his outdoor grill and cook a venison steak.
Now, all of Lars’s neighbors were Catholic…..and since it was Lent, they were prohibited from eating meat on Fridays. The delicious aroma from the grilled venison steaks was causing such a problem for the Catholic faithful that they finally talked to their priest.
The priest came to visit Lars, and suggested that Lars convert to Catholicism. After several classes and much study, Lars attended Mass…..and as the priest sprinkled holy water over Lars, he said, “You were born a Lutheran and raised a Lutheran, but now you are Catholic.”
Lars’s neighbors were greatly relieved, until Friday night arrived, and the wonderful aroma of grilled venison filled the neighborhood. The Priest was called immediately by the neighbors and, as he rushed into Lars’s yard, clutching a rosary and prepared to scold Lars, he stopped in amazement and watched.
There stood Lars, clutching a small bottle of water which he carefully sprinkled over the grilling meat, and chanted: “You were born a deer, and raised a deer, but now you are a walleye.’