Kranz: Dusty Johnson to jump into US House Race? Possibly......
Dave Kranz got a bit of a scoop on everyone with his column in the Argus Leader today noting that Dusty Johnson is at a point where he's considering the US House Race:
Actually, I'm intrigued by this lineup. It might mean Republicans have a solid congressional field to go into the election season with. When faced with a choice of this nature, it means that the Congresswoman is not going to get the luxury of ducking debates for a third election in a row.
I think the first issue they could have a substantive debate on might be Herseth's position on supporting the troops. Although, she seems to be having enough of a debate with herself on that issue:
But then again, I'm sure she'd duck the debate with herself as well.
"It is something I am considering. Any time you have a realistic opportunity to make South Dakota better, you have to take a look," Dusty Johnson says. "The thing for me: Can you be a good congressman and a good father?"Read it all here.and...
"I have tremendous respect for Rep. Herseth Sandlin, but this is not about her. It is tough to sit on the sidelines as we deal with security and economic issues. It would be an opportunity for me to make a difference," Johnson said.
Rep. Joel Dykstra is opening the door to a possible U.S. Senate campaign regardless of what Johnson decides to do.
Actually, I'm intrigued by this lineup. It might mean Republicans have a solid congressional field to go into the election season with. When faced with a choice of this nature, it means that the Congresswoman is not going to get the luxury of ducking debates for a third election in a row.
I think the first issue they could have a substantive debate on might be Herseth's position on supporting the troops. Although, she seems to be having enough of a debate with herself on that issue:
04/26/07: "We need . . . to recognize the war is not lost, in my opinion." "Herseth Sandlin: The War is not Lost," AP(Hat tip to SDP who has all this and much more on their website.)04/25/07: Herseth Sandlin voted with fellow Democrats Wednesday in passing a measure that would require the start of troop withdrawals from Iraq by Oct. 1
3/28/07: "I have always rejected arbitrary or irresponsible timelines that would tie the hands of our military leaders, and I will continue to do so." SHS, Press Release
But then again, I'm sure she'd duck the debate with herself as well.
Comments
Dusty went on to beat a guy for PUC who couldn't be bothered with campainging. So what? Herseth just convinced 70% of the voters in South Dakota to vote for her, and she certainly isn't Jim Burg.
Dusty has no chance...
People should have had thier eyes open beore. Come on i can't believe you didn't see all this and more coming.
She even had her line as a indenpendent voice but " (she) is a dem. I can not quote exact but it did go something like that people just did not catch it.
Anyway like I said...
You might have to eat those words.
I'd love to see Herseth hand that little overambitious weasel his ass. Which she certainly would.
This has nothing to do with her qualifications, it just is an opinion of why many people voted for her.
You would vote for someone who will never live in SD again? I can't believe how voters don't pay attention to who best represents their values and beliefs.
Herseth will never move back to SD.
Herseth is a Liberal, she believes in abortion, not only for adults but for minor children to be taken over State lines wihout parental consent, look who she voted for leader of the House, she is against our troops when in DC but for them in SD, it is only time when she votes for tax increase and gun control.
Wake up SD voters a vote for Herseth is like a vote for Hillary.
Nearly half of those polled believe the situation in Iraq has gotten worse over the past three months, while 37% believe conditions have remained about the same and 12% said the situation improved. A majority of Americans polled (55%) believe victory in Iraq is no longer possible, while 36% are more optimistic and believe victory can be achieved. Nine-percent were unsure.
A majority of individuals surveyed (56%) now side with the Democrats in Congress, who want to set a deadline for troop withdrawal, while 37% agree with President Bush, who does not want to set a deadline.
I hope Dusty runs. And I hope he's running on the need to stay the course in Iraq -- in October of 2008. Herseth will win by a landslide (again).
Though I do think it's funny that we might have two Cantonites running against each other (Johnson was originally from Canton).
She lives in Brookings. She has a house there.
I know that, because PP likes to stalk her as she's gardening in cut off shorts...
(just kidding, PP... and Mrs. PP... )
The only people actually supporting our troops right now are the Dems in Congress.
even with a couple World Series rings, you gotta think Joel couldn't pull off what Thune or Pressler were unable to do
Herseth has worked harder than just about anyone I've ever seen to talk about local issues, get ridiculously positive press in the newspaper, and get home often. I certainly seen coverage of her more than I've seen of Thune in the last two years.
In the last election, she got 70% of the vote. Granted, Bruce Whalen wasn't much of a candidate, but once people have pulled that lever for someone one time, they're going to be more comfortable doing it a second time. We've got to convince 21% of the voters that they need to change their mind and vote for Dusty. That's a heavy lift.
Even if those of us here think she's a liberal or a phony, she has done a good job of presenting herself as an "independent voice." I don't think she can physically say the word "Democrat" and so long as she spends more time talking about ethanol and agriculture than about typical liberal policies, she's going to be tough to beat.
I know this isn't what people around here want to hear, but we need to be realistic before we send a rising star like Dusty down a path to a lost cause.
1 - Dusty is energetic, smart, friendly, and an extremely hard worker. He will not be out-worked, he will be EVERYWHERE, and he will not embarrass himself. And he is very well-liked among the GOP rank-and-file.
2 - WE DON'T KNOW that Stephanie will be the US House candidate. It is entirely possible (I think likely) that Senator Johnson will eventually decide not to run for reelection, and that Stephanie will step into that race. That would leave the US House seat open. Brendan Johnson is the obvious candidate for the Dems - setting up a Johnson-Johnson contest between two Truman Scholars who were a year apart at USD and are good friends. THAT would be a hell of a race.
This strategy has Joel Rosenthal written all over it. I wonder if they've already cut some sort of deal?
We need a solid conservative to run against Herseth, not a Mainstream Coalition (or, as I like to call them, the coalition of the unwilling) candidate like Johnson.
The fact that Joel Rosenthal pulls the strings on Dusty is reason enough to oppose him.
We can do better. We HAVE to do better.
I guess that what happens to a guy when he gets married.
Do you know what state you are in and how many times people kick out the incumbant? I bet if someone did an analysis, South Dakota would have one of the highest rates of replacing incumbants over history.
Moreover, Herseth will be a candidate for US Senate, and I heard Larry Russell wanted to run for the House. It looks like Dusty is just trying to get his name out in front of voters- either for re-election or for a governor's run.
As for Rosenthal, the word is he and Dusty aren't speaking since the Jarrod Johnson campaign.
I think you've got Dusty figured out perfectly.
Six months after we lose the House and Senate becuase of ethics problems by people like Duke Cunningham and Jack Abramoff, we're going to run a guy best known for committing election fraud.
Brilliant.
Here's what J-Ro said about Dusty last month -- "During the 2004 election campaign I worked closely with another Farber Boy from another generation, Dusty Johnson. In a small way I worked on Dusty’s campaign against the three term PUC Commissioner. Dusty also has a tremendous intellect and is as good as there is in State Government today on Policy. Dusty who is just thirty years old has a bright political future in South Dakota."
Here's what he said in February 2007 --
"In South Dakota State Government we have the personnel who understand this. PUC Commissioner Dusty Johnson handled energy issues for Governor Rounds prior to his election to the PUC, where Dusty continues to work earnestly on energy issues and wind development."
Hardly sounds like they're enemies... Can you back up your assertion?
Apparently, unless she debates someone fifteen times, she's ducking debates.
But I'm sure PP will be perfectly willing to attack any Republican who agrees to only three debates with some nutjob fringe loser Democrat.
I don't care that Rosenthal is a jew or a muslim or a any other kind of heathen. I do care that he's trying to turn our party into the kind of multicultural, appeasement oriented, socially liberal party that the democrats are. i'm not anti sematic, i'm anti liberal. And Rosenthal is a liberal.
I think you're right, and I think it's working. When was the last time anyone talked about Dusty Johnson?
See, there, I did it again.
I think your analysis is right on.
If Leslee has her way, we'll all have dusty johnsons...
Who in the world is going to say, "I'm voting for Dusty because she only debated Bruce Whalen three times?"
Herseth comes across as nice and sweet, but she has a pretty nasty political operation behind her - a lot of people who cut their teeth working for Daschle who go for the jugular. They'll have a field day with a nice guy like Dusty.
I'm not saying he can't win, but I'm saying he better ready for ready for lots of attacks - both on the tv screens, and the more mean-spirited rumor campaigns and personal swipes at him and his family.
This is what is wrong with the Republican Party in South Dakota. Granted there could of been a few Democrat comments in there but for the most part they sounded like bitter jealous Republicans. This is why we lose good people. Who wants to run for office when your motive is questioned at every turn? "hand that little overambitious weasel his ass" Now come on. Someone takes initiative to run for office, carry a ton of Republican water, and win statewide office and that is the thanks you get? I know Dusty Johnson pretty well. We were at USD together and I know that he loves South Dakota. People too often misinterpret someone's dedication and love for South Dakota for pure political gain. I'm here to tell you that Dusty genuinely cares for our state and would do an outstanding job in whatever office he holds. He is the future of the Republican Party in South Dakota. Put your jealousy aside for the good of our party and the good of South Dakota.
Dusty is a good strong conservative family man. He is honest and has an incredible amount of integrity.
Thanks for being so honest. We've all known for some time that this is the way most Republicans think, but very few of them have the courage to be so straightfoward about it.
If Dusty were to make a strong house campaign and lose, I don't think it hurts him in a 2010 governor's race. To the contrary, his name will be fresh in people's minds.
The question is not whether Dusty can be a good congressman and a good father, but whether he can be: 1) a functioning PUC Commissioner; 2) an aggressive house candidate; and 3) a good father all at the same time. But he is ambitious.
That would be a pretty sizable problem.
He would get smoked by Herseth. Rosenthal knows this, as does Dusty. This is about an open seat, predicated on Johnson not running. Dusty is smart enough not to challenge Herseth.
I agree. But if gets killed by Herseth, it certainly does. If it's an open seat, I think you're right. If he challenges Herseth, his chances of being competitive are far, far less...
"mean-spirited rumor campaigns and personal swipes"
Those sound like Republican campaign tactics to me. Like how Whalen's campaign spread horrible lies about Herseth and then refused to appologize.
Denise Ross was talking about this on her blog a few weeks ago. Once you get below the big players in either party, the House race stands a good chance of being a big free-for-all.
As for Herseth Sandlin's record on "supporting the troops," that's a huge misnomer. She (and other House Democrats) were the ones that were voting to give the existing troops more equipment (like body armor). That's awfully supportive.
When they're trying to mediate a civil war that's been going on since way before we were ever there, and will be going on for years and years to come (whether we're there or not), the most supportive thing she can do is to bring them home.
Two posters at exacly the same second.
Do we get a prize for that PP?!
I wouldn't expect a wholesale handover of the whole account though, but I'm just guessing.
But, I think Johnson will retire and she'll be running for the Senate in '08 and she'll be tough to beat.
Once and for all explain the "love" you show dykstra? Please, last you were promising that Ted Klaudt would be back. Where do you come up with these wacky ideas?
That's how I took it, anyway.
But he would also be a formidable candidate for either the US House or Senate in 2008 without giving up the Lt. Governorship. He's close to T. Denny Sanford and part of the GOP/Chamber of Commerce establishment. He would be extremely well funded, and would be the instant frontrunner in a primary against either Dusty Johnson or Joel Dykstra.
Some additional speculation: Should Daugaard win a congressional race, who would be appointed Lt. Governor? Would he cut a deal for his cousin Tim Rave (who by then will be Speaker of the House)? Or would it be Tom Dempster, friend of Mike? Or someone else?
I don't envision Dykstra winning either slot regardless. He's lookin' for work in all the wrong places.
Daugaard doesn't seem interested in anything other than Gov in 2010 and yes, he will be a strong, well-funded candidate. He could also absolutely win a House seat.
Assuming his "dad" (J-Ro) isn't running the campaign - Dusty can win an open-house seat. I just hope the young man doesn't think he's capable of beating the pricess at this stage.
An open house seat can create all kinds of speculation and opportunity especially for Dusty. There is a wide range of "2nd tier" republican (potential) candidates out there that would turn the deal into a free-for-all. All of which plays into Dusty's favor.
Jim Seward is getting mention, Bob Gray gets mention here from time to time, Dave Knudson (maybe a congressional winner), Larry Russell, Thune & Rounds chiefs Matt Zabel & Rob Skjonsberg, Bob Sutton, Mrs. Krebs, et al.
Dusty, you can win an open seat. Don't listen to the loons here that say differently. You can beat all of these "2nd Tier" people in a primary --- including Dykstra. The general election would be a walk for the republican in an open-seat house race.
Some of you people say that I wasn't much of a candidate but I picked up nearly 100,000 votes starting with zero name recognition on a $150,000.00. I also did this in a state that Democrats said would not support an Indian candidate. I did this with little help from Thune the State GOP or the National GOP while having a rookie campaign manager. What did you do beside vote for Pelosi's puppet?
Bruce -
Eric at 9:57 - Herseth ducked over 10 public debates with me. For example she ducked me at Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Aberdeen, Huron and Pine Ridge. She prefers scripted studio/preening events. I also understand she ducked debates with Diedrich as well.
Anon 10:00 am - you are a liar, I didn't say those things. As for my campaign manager, I directed him to clear things up with Herseth but she would not take his call.
Better luck next time, Ace.
(...clue: trying to pretend you did a good job cuts no cred nowhere. It's mea culpa time, homeboy.)
I agree with those who say that Daugaard seems to be focused on the 2010 governor's race, if anything.
But my main point - I think it is clear that Dusty wants to be governor. But Dusty is only THIRTY YEARS OLD - he could run for governor in 2034 and only be in his mid fifties. My point is, he is smart enough that he won't feel compelled to jump into the govenror's race in 2010. He would only be 32 - very young to be elected Governor. On the other hand, we routinely have elected people to Congress in their early thirties (Pressler, Herseth, Daschle) - and Dusty could view the US House seat as a good step between PUC and the Governor's office.
He is no where near being ready for that game with that caliber of competition. Michels is definately a contender though.
But, in the end it will be the Daugaard & Schoenbeck show. Whichever comes out of the primary, wins the general.
Alas, this is about Dusty running for House or Senate. Psst, pick the one that Stephy isn't in and you have a crack.
...huh???
Huh. Yeah, that would be fun. But unfortunately, over REAL Fast.
sure deb, 'you con doo itt'
When you post things like this, it makes the case as to why Stephanie shouldn't have debated you once. You were a joke of a candidate, and you ran a pathetic campaign. You refused to apologize after your campaign spread pretty nasty lies about Herseth, and now claim she's to blame because she wouldn't take your peon campaign manager's phone call? You act like you're somehow entitled to have 13 debates with a sitting member of congress after acting like a three year old?
What in the world makes you think you're ENTITLED to debates? Or that you're ENTITLED to an apology phone call after you did one of the slimiest things in the history of South Daktoa politics?
The pinnacle of your campaign was getting your petitions signed. But circulating petitions doesn't entitle you to anything. If whining were an effective campaign tactic, you would have won. But it's not. Despite your claims that you did a good job, you got creamed. Anyone with an "R" after their name should get 35% in South Dakota. You didn't even do that. Getting beat 70% to 30% isn't "doing a good job."
Go whine somewhere else.
--lexrex
Anon.
You managed to get 100,000 votes on the fact that you were the Republican candidate, and this is South Dakota. We re-invented voting along party lines.
The Democrats weren't wrong about the lack of support for a Native candidate. You ended up with less thsn 30% of the vote. In 2004, the Diedrich campaign spent nearly 2.5 million dollars, compared to your $150,000 in 2006. If that isn't a "lsck of support," I don't know what is.
http://sd4mm.blogspot.com/2007/04/fantastic-article-about-victim-of.html
Bob, you dope-smoking dried up bitter old bag of $hit, go spread your hate and bitterness somewhere else.
I don't understand what Mr. Newland's comment has to do with anything....
Herseth-Spandex votes to continue federal raids on sick, disabled and dying people. Johnson hasn't said anything publicly (that I know of) about whether he thinks sick people should have safe access to medicine that works for them.
That's the connection.
There's always an angle for Bob.
And to hear Bob tell it, if PP ain't for the good stuff he's just no good. But if Bob were any good he'd be writing dope rhymes for Snoop Dog, getting the good blunts in Cali' and making the benjamins.
Do your smokin' and tokin' on your own time, good time Bob. I think the fuzz has enough for a warrant.
That's pretty funny as part of a thread that includes 87 comments of no value, and my three pointing up the hypocrisy of most of the rest.
I don't think Bruse thought he was "Entitled" to debates.....he thought the people of South Dakota were....
the truth of the matter is, Bruce was in it for the right reasons- He really believes in the GOP and it's platform....unfortunately, people like that can never win Elections.
Another name to consider for the Congress seat is Rapid City's own Alan Nelson-perfect candidate if he would agree to do it
How many debates were the people entitled to? They got three, broadcast across the state on television. Bruce seems to think that if they didn't get 13, they were somehow cheated.
And I saw the public television debate. I noticed how Bruce stopped calling for debates as soon as they had one.
Dusty would do fine if he didn't come off as too wonkish.
Pat wrote "it means that the Congresswoman is not going to get the luxury of ducking debates for a third election in a row."
If Pat is talking about 2008 as the third. What debates did Herseth duck in 2004?
I noticed there have been no answers to my question, posted about 70 comments ago. I'm guessing this is a smear with no substance, but I'm waiting for the response.