Former House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Madsen over at Blogmore
Former GOP Legislator and Speaker Pro Tempore of the House has been doing some commenting on the elections over at Mt. Blogmore recently. Here's what he's had to say about this fall's elections:
So far, Democrats do not have a great reason to flock to the polls in November. There are really no good top of the ticket races for them. Whoever thought a retired surgeon from Sioux Falls is going to be elected governor is a bit deluded. I realize that Mike Rounds has his critics, but all of them are worth about 100 votes for Billion. I’m sure Jack is a great guy, but I don’t back him and the “perfect storm” guaranteeing him any sort of a shot against MMR is not a brewing. I appreciate Bruce Whalen stepping forward to make a run, but for a lot of the same reasons MMR is safe, so is Stephanie regardless of her choice of hairstyle. The Democrats were all full of vim and vigor when session ended and they slated more legislative candidates than they have for quite a while. However, it looks like the momentum is out of that. I can’t wait for their convention to see if they can field candidates for the constitutional offices. Ergo, there are just not going to be the sorts of candidates out there to motivate the casual voter to get out there and vote the Democrat ticket.Read it all here at Mt. Blogmore.
Comments
Go read the rest of the posting on Blogmore. But, if I was not clear enough in the posting, let me state my point here. The legislature's enactment of HB 1215 was supposed to be the battle cry of Democrats, who with the help of their unwitting accomplices, the so-called Mainstream Republicans, were going to wrest control of the state from the likes of all those Republican right wing nuts. Notwithstanding how the electorate may vote on the referendum, it does not appear that the revolution is afoot.
Todd Epp
Maybe you can tell us who is vying for the nomination for the following constitutional offices:
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Auditor
Treasurer
Assuming for the sake of argument that I have no clue what motivates voters (which is quite an assumption considering that I have successfully run for public office) you still need candidates to vote on.
Care to make a friendly wager on the number of seats in the legislature that change from R to D? I would like to hear your prediction.
I don't get to completely pick the candidates for constitutional offices, the delegates to the state Democratic convention do. But I'm flattered that you think I have so much influence. As a Lincoln County delegate, I'll have just one vote like everyone else.
After the convention, I'll take you up on your wager re Rs and Ds in the legislature in January '07. Can you assure me that AG Larry Long won't have me arrested for illegal betting? (grin)
Best regards,
Todd Epp
Press Secretary
Billion for Governor
http://billionforgovernor.com
Todd, in all seriousness, I'd love to know who is talking about running for what constitutional office because I haven't heard anything. Even Ron Volesky hasn't stated an interest in any of the constitutional offices. At least not yet, anyway.
After the conventions we'll have to compare predictions on the makeup of the legislature.
You had put a nice spin on it, evidently trying to avoid the question, but who are they?
If you don't have top of the ticket candidates to provide races against the opposition, your voters do not turn out. Herseth is all but guaranteed a win. So is Rounds. So next come the constitutional officers. If there is no big races, the Republicans will win just because of their numbers.
Will the ballot init. and ref. bring out the voters? I really don't think so. Look at the primaries, lot of pro-life versus pro-abortion, but only Elli/Stan drew out large numbers, about 4100, and probably over $150,000 was spent to do that.
Madsen is right, unless you have constitutional candidates the Dems will not gain. So, who are they?
Why the personal attack on Jack Billion? Your comment implies that physicians, retrees, and people from Sioux Falls are unfit to serve as governor. That's just crazy talk and beneath someone of your stature as a former elected official.
What would you say if I wrote that pilots, insurance salesmen, and residents of Pierre have no business being elected and any one who votes for them is "deluded"? It would be equally goofy.
There are plenty of issues to talk about. So, let's get a cup of coffee and and talk about South Dakota.
Best regards,
Todd Epp
Press Secretary
Billion for Governor
http://billionforgovernor.com
We'll all know soon enough. Why ruin the news before the convention?
Todd Epp
Press Secretary
Billion for Governor
http://billionforgovernor.com
Todd Epp
Chris, we Democrats promise you a show that you won't soon forget. No advance tip-off on what you're going to see. Wait for it...
It is a desperation move by liberals to wine about will Rounds stay the whole term or not. In fact it means we give up hope on Billion and hope the new hair will lead her to Pierre in 2010.