Here's some of the information on the Corson County Charges: COUNT I That on or about December of 2005, in the County of Corson, State of South Dakota, Ted Alvin Klaudt did commit the public offense of SECOND DEGREE RAPE (SDCL 22-22-1(2)) in that he did accomplish an act of sexual penetration with his foster daughter, A.M., through the use of force or coercion; and as to COUNT II That on or about July or August of 2006, in the County of Corson, State of South Dakota, Ted Alvin Klaudt did commit the public offense of SECOND DEGREE RAPE (SDCL 22-22-1(2)) in that he did accomplish an act of sexual penetration with his foster daughter, A.M., through the use of force or coercion; and as to COUNT III That on or about July or August of 2006, in the County of Corson, State of South Dakota, Ted Alvin Klaudt did commit the public offense of SECOND DEGREE RAPE (SDCL 22-22-1(2)) in that he did accomplish an act of sexual penetration, separate and distinct from the act alleged in Count II, with
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Larry definitly was better at talking his way through the questions than Bruce.
Bruce's random comment "I love my mother" and his answer about his plan for long-term health care just confused me.
I found myself more inclined to actually watch the debate because I was anxious to see what the two guys would say next.
If the vote was held based on the debate: Herseth 90% Rudebusch 9% Whalen 1%
It seems like the Republican leadership convinced him to put his name on the ballot and just left him hanging. It looked like he hadn't prepared for half the questions. The long term care question was awful. Stephanie talked about a bill she had written to address the problem, and Whalen just kept saying that we need to have elderly people move in with their kids. And then he said the weird "Mom, I love you" line.
I really felt bad for Bruce. Why didn't anyone from the party or from Thune's staff help him. We shouldn't let our guys twist in the wind like that.
For a third party candidate, Larry did a decent job explaining the problem, but a poor job explaining the solution. He kept talking about reforming the monetary system, but I have know ideas what that actually means. He kept saying it was a problem - and he was convincing - but he never outlined how he'd make things better. He was surprisingly articulate, although I don't understand the whole monetary policy thing.
Bruce looked sad and stumbled more than once. Of the three, he was the least prepared. After about 20 seconds into an answer, he was really lost and just sort of rambled until time was up. He looked defeated, and very tired. He had some very bizarre statements about education like the importance of singing the ABC song and how we shouldn't be putting condoms on cucumbers. On health care, Herseth really outshined him. He tried to make every answer about abortion and right to life issues - including Social Security and other unrelated issues.
Plus, I loved it when he said that Randy Frederick asked him to be the standard bearer for the party. Great. Randy and Bruce, leading us forward.
I'll go on.
First, Bruce is not well informed on the issues as he can not speak to most, other than as posted earlier that he loves his mother, loves you and loves children (and by extension hates abortion). Who's fault is this, PP. Is the candidate unable to assimilate information given to him and present himself in a semi-articulate manner on issues other than abortion and him mom? Or, is the campaign staff letting him down?
Second, this speaks sadly to the state of our discourse in SD. People are here, stating they support the guy. What? Pedro would be better for SD in Congress. This guy is a comic book rendition of a incompetent public official, not saying he's a bad guy or possibly even a little capable, but come on, stop it, wasn't, isn't there anyone better? This is it? Thanks Randy. Just don't vote for Herseth, but how on earth can anyone vote for this guy. UNDERVOTE.
Both Larry and Bruce were out matched. Bruce started off trying to make some attack about PAC money she received, and started one question talking about how the questioner wasn't looking at him and how he wasn't prepared. Bruce tried to make every answer about abortion. Larry made every answer about monetary policy. Herseth answered every question.
Pro-life and pro-family = South Dakota Republicans!
So why isn't our party standing behind Whalen? Behind him with political support and MONEY! Why aren’t our Por-life Senators and Representatives out beating down doors for Mr. Whalen?
If your going to encourage someone to run would you at least have the whatever to FULLY support him until the end? Why should he expect anything but that from our party?
Whalen is pro-life and he's pro-family! That is the core of our Republican party right now! I am wondering if our Republican party leadership just left this young man twisting in the wind?
A lot of people in our Party believe that “pro-life and pro-family” is more than a campaign slogan!
If we as a Party ask this young man to run for political office then I do believe that we as a Party have the responsibility to fully support him! When I get from some of the posts above is that this Party support just didn’t take place.
I personally don’t think Mr. Whalen is ready for this political office. But if I asked him to run, he should expect and demand my full support! Again, why would he expect any less?
Do you Whalen fans, the two that might exist, still want to complain about the lack of debates?