Beat the Argus by several hours on this one... (I wonder where they heard?)
The Argus was reporting at 5:25 what I had for you at noon - Randy's not coming back:
Frederick, a Hayti farmer, said today his term ends in February. He won’t seek another term, and it will be up to the state party central committee to choose a new chair at that time, he said.Read it all here.
“When I ran for the position four years ago, I promised (Republican Gov.) Mike Rounds four years,’’ Frederick said. “I can’t promise him another four years as state party chair and it doesn’t make any sense to promise him two, to sign on for another two. And the next two years, coming up to ’08, I can probably be of more service to him outside the chairmanship rather than inside.’’
Rounds, who easily won re-election last week, has been mentioned as a possible opponent to Democrat Sen. Tim Johnson, whose term ends in 2008. Rounds has downplayed that talk, but Frederick said he intends to be available to the governor “for any purpose that he might need me for in ’08.’’
Comments
Now that is funny.
Bravo.
Rounds was so worried about his own reelection, which is silly, that he completely blew off maintaining a 2/3 majority in the senate.
I didn't see Rounds doing any campaign events in Sioux Falls except waving at cars one day.
Add this to list of problems to be remedied:
Why didn't the GOP leverage its operations with the manpower and volunteer base that Sioux Falls has to offer during a campaign season.
The largest city in the state with alot of politically active people and CRs and retirees who want to work for their party were shut out by Rounds, vis a vi chairman Fredrick.
It's not only Fredrick that has to go. The Rounds political team has to get the ax. Their refusal to engage in basic grassroots organizational building is killing us out here.
You would think that Rounds must recognize that the GOP never really supported him. He only won the primary by a plurality and it was the party's refusal and the rest of the voters in the state that didn't want to let a limosuine liberal become governor.
You may recall the scandal a few years ago when Sen. Brock Greenfield refused to rubberstamp Rounds' tax hike. Randy phoned a lot of folks around Clark to blackmail Greenfield into rolling over and rubberstamping Rounds' tax hike. He told the folks at Clark, who were desperate after losing their potato plant, that they could expect no help from Pierre for economic development unless they strongarmed Brock to be a rubberstamp.
So how would a blackmailer perform as Ag Secretary?
"Hey there bud, unless you fork over $1000 to the Governor's Club, you can forget that drought relief."
It's time Feedsack and his size 4XL underwear head back home to Hamlin County where he can irritate the boys at the Hayti bowling alley and leave good people alone.
What happened a few years ago between Randy and me is a blemish on the past, but that's where it is buried. Randy and I had our differences, and over time, we put them to rest. This is not uncommon for anybody. The only difference is that unfortunately our differences became a matter for the media to feast on. It was a lesson learned for all involved. I think it's safe to say that nothing like that has happened since. Further, he has been a gentleman and treated me with respect ever since. Therefore, although I am quite stubborn, I have been able to get beyond what happened between the two of us. I would hope that we can all just agree to leave it in the past.
As for the future, I don't have any idea what awaits Randy, but I wish him and his family God's richest blessings.
I do not think he would 'lower' himself to run for Greenfield's position, but there will be a ballot with Fredrick's name on it again.
You got elected and rolled over to get your 3XL tummy rubbed by establishment.
Some counties have their central committee meetings and their county meetings together.
I suggest to all instead of complaining go to the meetings and get involved and then get active.
That is what the other side is doing and I suggest the GOP do the same.
If you have questions on the By-laws get intouch with your county organization and ask about them.
Goldt worked his backside off in 04 and before for the state.
Come on out into the daylight folks.
It's a free country.
All the best.
BF
As Bill F. types "anon bs", maybe I should sign with a byline
by: anon-bs > does this = a "pun"?
Couldn't resist the comment.... or here is another by line "annoyance bs" how would that be???
Most would expect you to have the RF item b4 the Argus and most don't see that as a legitimate scoop. Please try and take credit only where due.
p.s. this is Fleming,
but you know, when in Rome....
2008 candidates should be thankful Randy is leaving.
The worthless Argus could improve if they had someone reading this blog, but they would have to put a Liberal spin on eveything. So it would still be bad.