The Political Roundup for December 12th *updated*

I'm going to try to resurrect this feature which I haven't done for ages. Why? I've been too busy writing large articles over aggregating small ones like this..

Watch for Senator Jerry Apa to retain his leadership position on Senate Appropriations, despite earlier overtures made to newly elected Senator Jean Hunhoff, who will likely take the Vice Chair position. It's an attempt to at least try to keep the peace.

Bob Mercer had mentioned in his column late last week/early this week that there would be some changes on that panel, and there will. Both Senator Bill Napoli and Senator Jason Gant had already noted that they wanted off of the committee, so expect they'll be gone. But Senator Brock Greenfield is not one of the crew that's weary of the time intensive panel, so there's no similar request to depart. The big question is whether he will stay or not.

Right now, even filling two positions on that panel will be difficult, much less three. Unless they can find a third, in the end expect him to stay.

Coming off of his probationary period and having suspended imposition wipe away his felony conviction, it's been noted that former Governor Bill Janklow may associate with a law firm. Dave Kranz spoke of it yesterday in his column. There may be some naysayers, but don't forget that Bill was (and is) one of the best attorneys in the state. When working for Native Americans through legal aid early in his career, he never lost a case.

The word I here out of Sioux Falls is that he's going to probably associate with his old firm of Woods Fuller with whom he had a relationship after his first term as Governor. Good Luck Bill!

Speaking of attorneys changing jobs, Judge Max Gors is retiring from being Judge, and going to work for corrections, leaving a vacancy on the circuit. What do I hear around town? Speculation notes that the top candidate for the position might very well be former Attorney General, and current Deputy AG Mark Barnett. I don't know if he's interested, but if so, I'm sure the job is his.

Time for work!

*update*

Of course, no sooner did I get this out than the Governor announced a couple of cabinet changes.

BOA Commissioner Paul Kinsman will be moving over to take over Gary Viken's vacated position at the Department of Revenue. Named to replace Kinsman is former Corrections Secretary Jeff Bloomberg.

Absent any other changes, that leaves the Department of Agriculture and Game, Fish & Parks secretary positions to be filled.

Comments

Anonymous said…
poor Woods Fuller. the law firm with the felon, how nice. i wonder what their white shoe clients will think of hiring wild bill? especially since his first big case will be attacking the new railroad project
Anonymous said…
You heard of the second coming? Try the third coming of:

1. GOP State Chairman Joel Rosenthal. He shall prepareth the way.

2. Governor Bill Janklow ... perhaps as an independent this time a la Teddy Roosevelt. Perhaps it will be the resurrection of the Bull Moose Party. Hell, I'd jump on that one!

Janklow wants everything restored. His driver's license. His law practice. His control over people and all political actions in South Dakota. More money -- lots more money. Revenge against all of the false friends in the party who deserted him when things got rough.

Consider that in 2010 he'll still be younger than Jack Billion was when he ran for Governor, this might be tempting.

That cold shiver you're feelin' ain't the north wind blowin'.
Anonymous said…
Rosenthal won elections and raised money. Janklow actually got things done. Yes, that would be a "terrible" thing!
Anonymous said…
Janklow for Governor! Yes, I do like that idea.

"That cold shiver you're feelin" is from the Democrats! In fact, you can already hear their teeth chattering!

Democrats didn't even exist when Janklow was Governor. Ah, the good old days!

Run Bill Run
Anonymous said…
I don't know about you, but if I needed an good attorney, you can bet I'd hire Bill Janklow.

And if I wanted a good governor who actually got things done, I'd vote for him again too.
Anonymous said…
1. If I were in big legal trouble, I'd hire Bill Janklow as my attorney.

2. Janklow is probably already the greatest govenor in S.D. history, with maybe only George S. Mickelson, Dick Kneip and Peter Norbeck in his tier.

3. If anyone could pull off the Bull Moose thing, it would be Bill Janklow.

4. My guess is that Bill wouldn't mind the quieter life of practicing law after everything that's happened in the past few years.

But the thought of a 3d or 4th act by Gov. Janklow is interesting.

Todd Epp
S.D. Watch
http://thunewatch.squarespace.com
Anonymous said…
Can Janklow run again for Congress? With the motorcyclist's death on his record, would he have a chance against Rep. Herseth (whom he beat previously)or Sen. Johnson?
Anonymous said…
enough with the pooh-pooh Janklow comments. He's a great man. He's not a perfect man.

His flaws make him pretty much like the rest of us..... the only difference being, of course, that t the rest of us generally don't have what it takes to be governor four times, then Congressman, then survive an absolute tragedy, and THEN get back on the horse.
Anonymous said…
"the rest of us generally don't have what it takes to ... survive an absolute tragedy"

Most notably, Randy Frederick.
Anonymous said…
9:55 and others sure hate Frederick. Claim how bad he has done. Let's see, he was responsible for the GOP raising, by far, the most money ever and, oh yes, was at the helm when Sen Daschle was defeated. No wonder they hate him.
Anonymous said…
I meant to say Randy Scott, the guy Janklow mowed down. Not Randy Frederick. Sorry.
Anonymous said…
tasteless.
Anonymous said…
Sort of like the "diabetes defense"?
Anonymous said…
Bill Janklow will never be elected to anything ever again.

There is a bitter taste left with the electorate on the accident. He can not overcome that even thought he was a great Governor and has paid his dues.
Anonymous said…
What does any of this matter, when SOY is all around us, and destroying our very way of life

http://southdakotamac.blogspot.com/
Anonymous said…
*IF* Mark Barnett wants the job? I figured he was the one brokering the deal...
Anonymous said…
I was straight until I started using Soy products...

Jeff Bloomberg? Back from the dead? Paul Kinsman, the Rounds shuffle.

PP, watch closely what happens w/WB Janklow and the DOT hearing concerning John Thune, er, I mean, DM&E.
Anonymous said…
"Sort of like the "diabetes defense"?"

Every single one of us would of used the same defense if we were in the same situation!

Those of you that have got yourself in a mess in the past, and those of you that are attorneys, understand the value of having any kind of defense!

We would of grabbed at that defense in a second. So why is it so wrong when Janklow did the same thing the rest of us would of done?
Anonymous said…
VJ: Because it was more akin to a lame excuse rather than a legitimate defense. That point was clearly made by the prosecutor who ably dissected the diabetes defense. In the end, it cost Janklow in terms of credibility. And in a criminal case, if the state proves its case and the defendant therafter puts up an incredible defense, then the defendant will lose.
Anonymous said…
While everyone of us may have used the diabetes defense in your mind everyone of us would have had a more reasonable punishment(harsher). But since he was our former Governor and Representative he got special treatment. Do not deny it. We all know its true.
Anonymous said…
Will somebody find out what is taking the that lawyer from Platte so long to assign committees?
Anonymous said…
anon 1:48,
I disagree. I have personal knowledge of at least one other person who ran a stop sign and killed a person. This guy got a failure to stop ticket and fine. NO JAIL TIME. Further, it was at least the second time he had run a stop sign and caused an accident. If this case was anybody but Janklow, there would not have been manslaughter charges.
Anonymous said…
10:12 - Daschle was the best fundraiser for the GOP and Glodt was at the helm counting all those anti-Daschle votes.
Anonymous said…
10:12 -- A monkey could have raised that much money with all the out-of-state "Dump Daschle" money pouring in. It had very little to do with any fundraising capabilities of Randy Frederick.
Anonymous said…
interesting how janklow and his old pal daschle are in bed together again, both fighting against the railroad. and how janklow's little butt-kissing hoodlum buddy bloomberg is still holding a legal job.
Anonymous said…
anon 8:13 am-- if you are true on both of your points, I will seriously consider leaving SD.
Anonymous said…
vj-- As an honest man I would not have used the diabetes defense, since I knew it was a big lie. Also, if I had been stopped for speeding just a few minutes before the accident, I would not have used my position to threaten the officer with loss of badge for writing a ticket.
Anonymous said…
10:35 You're writing about something of which you know nothing.
That was Frederick's idea to go after the money of out-of-state anti-Daschle people. Angi sent the mailings out and yes, the money rolled in. Write about something you know about next time instead of showing your lack of knowledge of the topic.
Anonymous said…
I would love to see the Governor back in the saddle again. He was full of vision and got things done for South Dakota. He did not ever waiver- or take the pulse of the people before he decided which direction he wanted to lead. He is the definition of a true leader who is willing to step out on a limb and do what he thinks is best. He led with his heart and his head and did a fantastic job for the state. True leadership is a God-given skill and Governor Janklow did it intuitively. I will always be the biggest supporter of this wonderful man!
Anonymous said…
anon 8:05 am

I bet Woods Fuller is ecstatic to have such an intelligent hardworking attorney. I bet their white shoe clients are happy and will use him if they need the BEST attorney around!
Anonymous said…
Janklow was the best thing to ever happen to this state. He worked harder than any Governor we have ever had. He used to call people in the middle of the night with a brilliant new idea and in a week there would be a new program started. He would have done great things as a Congressman. I am sorry that he had his accident- but that is what it was- An accident. It was not intentional or malicious. He paid his duty to society and he should be as productive of a citizen as he wants to be. I wish we had some state officials with some vision. After all vision is not just a word -it is a mission that the Gov has always had. He embodied the word vision.
The politicians we have now are nothing but politicians- the Governor was a Leader (major difference).
Anonymous said…
There is nothing wrong with Daschle and Governor Janklow working against the DME. Last I knew it was a free country and they are working with their client to provide them with the best possible advice and lobbying. I wish Pierre had these 2 leaders on their team. I certainly do not want the railroad blowing through Pierre at 40 mph. It will ruin this town. The only question is will the politicians ruin Pierre before the railroad gets its chance.
Anonymous said…
Looks like the same idiot wrote the last 4 posts. Bill, is that you? Or is it someone who has not been lied to or stabbed in the back by Bill yet.
Anonymous said…
should I help pull the knife out or shall you continue to whine for a little while longer?

Popular posts from this blog

Corson County information on Klaudt Rape Charges

A note from Benedict Ar... Sorry. A note from Stan Adelstein why he thinks you should vote Democrat this year.

Kranz: Dusty Johnson to jump into US House Race? Possibly......