This isn't going to go away soon, is it?

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The Rapid City Journal's top story this AM was on the South Dakota Mainstrean Coalition. And who were two of the people quoted in it? Bill Napoli and Stan Adelstein. Bill was quoted extensively. Wasn't I just saying they were two of the most influential men in the SDGOP?

You can see by this article, this is getting pretty good from an observer's standpoint. Why? Quotes like this from the RCJ:
Linda Lea Viken, a former Democratic state legislator from Rapid City, said she was "delighted at the prospect of joining together on moderate issues."

"When I served in the Legislature, I always found that in committee, people of different parities and different backgrounds could come together on many issues, each compromise a little, find common ground in the middle and take the good from each viewpoint," Viken said. "I think this kind of coalition is a way to do that on broad issues that affect the people of South Dakota in a significant way."

"It was a huge crowd. It was just an amazing group of people," Judy Olson Duhamel, South Dakota Democratic Party chairwoman, said. "I think it was an indication that there's interest in what's best for South Dakota. They are expressing a voice for moderation and reason. Moderation embodies a willingness to listen and accept other points of view, even if you don't agree. It's part of balance, and I think it is commendable."
Collusion with Judy Olson and Linda Viken? Some Republicans might view this as akin to high treason. I think this story is going to keep developing and simmering. My guess? It might actually be what kickstarts Bill Napoli's conservative group back into action - in effect causing what it's trying to moderate away. And then the battle will begin.

I remember the good ol' days when I was with the State GOP, and later the Pennington County GOP. Judy and Linda were firmly established in their legislative districts and were not going to go gently into the night. The battle lines were drawn, with no quarter asked by us, and none given by them. They were girded for battle, as were we. And I have to admit, it was a glorious challenge of resolve and strategy.
Change means movement. Movement means friction. Only in the frictionless vacuum of a nonexistent abstract world can movement or change occur without that abrasive friction of conflict. (Saul Alinsky)
This quote really says a lot. To me, unless we argue about things, unless there is that abrasive friction, how are we ever going to progress? Unless we argue, how are the controversial ideas ever going to be brought to light? Because if all we do is to make sure we don't upset people's sensibilities with a flow of unruly ideas, we've stagnated. History is rarely written about committees. It's written about the bold, and abrasive, and about conflict. Not group hugs.

And this attempt at moderation? I'm just waiting for the battle to begin.

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