I told you this race was going to heat up.
Rapid City Weekly: Schumacher paid to jump ship to Shaw campaign
I had given you a hint on this, and I've been sitting on it until the dust cleared and the races were on, but it's now confirmed. After working on the initial stages of Rapid City Councilman Sam Kooiker's fledgling Mayoral race, Councilman Mike Schumacher has been paid to change horses in mid stride over to Mayor Mike Shaw's campaign.
This article from the Rapid City Weekly News is a must read tale of ambition, politics, and betrayal. Here's a preview:
Wow. I've been hearing rumblings on it for a couple of weeks as it's rippled throughout the western South Dakota conservative political community and made it's way to Pierre.
I had heard a dollar amount being bandied about in the neighborhood of $35k or more just to run Shaw's campaign, and if Mike can get it, then all power to him for commanding such a fee. But aside from the money he's getting from the effort, there's going to come a price.
In the earlier post hinting about this, under the comments, someone used a phrase about "pieces of silver." Because that's how most people are going to view it. Mike himself provided the imagery in the Rapid City News article.
He himself referred to Judas. For those of you not familiar with the new testament, as related in Wikipedia, "according to the account given in the gospels, Judas carried the disciples' money box and betrayed Jesus for a bribe of "thirty pieces of silver" by identifying him with a kiss."
Mike registered the domain name for Kooiker for Mayor last year. So he's been working on the Kooiker mayoral race as a friend and supporter for the past 6-7 months. I suspect he was doing it for free, because that's what you do for close friends.
And now, after being offered a significant amount of money to work for Shaw, someone he had been critical of for his entire term of office, he's abandoned that person he supposedly called his friend for the almighty dollar. His pieces of silver.
In our elected officials, we value qualities such as loyalty, and friendship. We value that elusive thing called honor.
So when someone we thought had those qualities shows that they can be purchased - they can be bought and sold as chattel - it shocks the sensibilities. It makes feelings of offense and disgust start to well up within us, because we want to believe the people we elect for office are better than that. And it hurts us when we find out that it's not true.
Yes, Mike may have had someone meet his price to jump ship. And to him, it may have been well worth the money he got. But the cost to him goes beyond the monetary.
It's cost him so much more than his fee.
*Update*
One of my attorney friends had mentioned this when I told him the tale.
He noted that there was a case in Winner where a councilman had a fiduciary interest in a council action, and the court made such a ruling that he thought it could have implications in any decisions made by the Rapid City Common Council where Schumacher would support the mayor.
In TONY HANIG v. CITY OF WINNER, 2005 SD 10, which you can read for yourself here, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that "due process requires a fair tribunal" and that because someone even had a “indirect pecuniary interest,” it invalidated the vote.
I think I'd like a few more attorney opinions (because I'm certainly not an attorney) to be sure, but with a councilman supposedly being paid tens of thousands of dollars to run the mayor's campaign, it seems that nearly every vote where the mayor is advocating a position could be challenged because of the fiduciary interest between the two.
This article from the Rapid City Weekly News is a must read tale of ambition, politics, and betrayal. Here's a preview:
Schumacher was approached by Rapid City businessman and Shaw supporter Doug Hamilton to help run Shaw’s mayoral campaign. Schumacher said he was talking about helping Councilman Sam Kooiker get into the mayor’s chair, but a better offer came along.This must read article by Lana Bradstream can be read here at the Rapid City Weekly News.
How much Schumacher will be paid has yet to be determined, as the contract is not yet complete, he said.
Some people view it as strange that Schumacher has seemingly gone from one candidate to another, especially for a price. However, Schumacher said he does not see it that way.
and..
“It might be that they wanted to make Sam not run for the office by recruiting me, but they have not been successful there.”
and...
“People are trying to make me out to be a traitor or a Judas, but tomorrow is guaranteed for no one,” Schumacher said. “My obligation is to my family. If people disagree with my decision, I respect that, but I want them to know I did not come to this decision quickly. This is personal and it is unfortunate that there are people out there with an agenda.”
When asked about Schumacher’s involvement in his campaign, Shaw said he had not started his campaign yet and denied paying Schumacher for his help. However, Schumacher said he and Shaw had spoken about the campaign a couple of times.
Wow. I've been hearing rumblings on it for a couple of weeks as it's rippled throughout the western South Dakota conservative political community and made it's way to Pierre.
I had heard a dollar amount being bandied about in the neighborhood of $35k or more just to run Shaw's campaign, and if Mike can get it, then all power to him for commanding such a fee. But aside from the money he's getting from the effort, there's going to come a price.
In the earlier post hinting about this, under the comments, someone used a phrase about "pieces of silver." Because that's how most people are going to view it. Mike himself provided the imagery in the Rapid City News article.
He himself referred to Judas. For those of you not familiar with the new testament, as related in Wikipedia, "according to the account given in the gospels, Judas carried the disciples' money box and betrayed Jesus for a bribe of "thirty pieces of silver" by identifying him with a kiss."
Mike registered the domain name for Kooiker for Mayor last year. So he's been working on the Kooiker mayoral race as a friend and supporter for the past 6-7 months. I suspect he was doing it for free, because that's what you do for close friends.
And now, after being offered a significant amount of money to work for Shaw, someone he had been critical of for his entire term of office, he's abandoned that person he supposedly called his friend for the almighty dollar. His pieces of silver.
In our elected officials, we value qualities such as loyalty, and friendship. We value that elusive thing called honor.
So when someone we thought had those qualities shows that they can be purchased - they can be bought and sold as chattel - it shocks the sensibilities. It makes feelings of offense and disgust start to well up within us, because we want to believe the people we elect for office are better than that. And it hurts us when we find out that it's not true.
Yes, Mike may have had someone meet his price to jump ship. And to him, it may have been well worth the money he got. But the cost to him goes beyond the monetary.
It's cost him so much more than his fee.
*Update*
One of my attorney friends had mentioned this when I told him the tale.
He noted that there was a case in Winner where a councilman had a fiduciary interest in a council action, and the court made such a ruling that he thought it could have implications in any decisions made by the Rapid City Common Council where Schumacher would support the mayor.
In TONY HANIG v. CITY OF WINNER, 2005 SD 10, which you can read for yourself here, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that "due process requires a fair tribunal" and that because someone even had a “indirect pecuniary interest,” it invalidated the vote.
I think I'd like a few more attorney opinions (because I'm certainly not an attorney) to be sure, but with a councilman supposedly being paid tens of thousands of dollars to run the mayor's campaign, it seems that nearly every vote where the mayor is advocating a position could be challenged because of the fiduciary interest between the two.
Comments
I wonder if Kookier has trouble sleeping at night. Not because he should feel guilty about anything, but that big knife that Schumacher stuck in his back has got to be uncomfortable.
I think it has more to do with political stratagies.
People can come and go in political campaigns, before, during and after.
What is bothering people i would say is the fact Mike and Kookier are considered friends and Mike and Shaw didn't see eye to eye on issues.
Is it about loyalty, money or other factors??? I would say ponder the questions.
Rapid has had some troubling times in the city office lately. hummmmmmm.
I think you're using the wrong tense.
This is like Daschle announcing for Johnson's seat while he's still in the hospital.
It's a vile self-indulgent betrayal.
Shaw's comments are in the article.
PP: “So when someone we thought had those qualities shows that they can be purchased - they can be bought and sold as chattel - it shocks the sensibilities.” I guess PP hasn’t been involved in politics that much, especially at the National level. Probably never heard of “K Street” where everyone was bought and sold!
President Truman: "If you want a friend in Washington (politics), then buy a dog."
“I love treason but hate a traitor”. (Julius Caesar)
“Et tu, Brute”! (Julius Caesar)
9:07: “Where's the Rapid City Journal on this story????” Well, the Journal was busy! They were out on an undercover cigarette sting! They are doing a story on all the South Dakota Criminals that cross the State border to buy cigarettes, gas and groceries in order to avoid paying taxes to South Dakota! I hear that pictures of these “border criminals” will be posted on the Journal web page and that the pictures may even appear in the post office next to those FBI most wanted posters! Give the Rapid City Journal credit! They were out covering a big story! Secure our borders! Our own people are trying to destroy us! All politics comes with a price. “Et tu, Brute”
What's up with that?
You would think that after Ellie Schwiezow's bad experience, Hamilton money would be radioactive.
Guess not.
Hamilton moved into that territory when he
moved to South Dakota.
Just ask him. He won't deny it.
Brock is in the legislature, which has a different set of laws. That, and he does not (and I believe is prohibited) from lobbying during session.
A city council is a quasi-judicial entity, whereas the legislature is not.
What? I'm sure Greenfield lobbies all the time during session for his issues. All the senators and reps do. They advocate their positions all the time, both on and off the record. There's nothing wrong with that, that's their job.
“People are trying to make me out to be a traitor or a Judas, but tomorrow is guaranteed for no one,” Schumacher said. “My obligation is to my family.
This could be a line right out of the movie "THE GOD FATHER" I could justify robbing a bank using that line of thinking. He makes it sound like betrayal is OK if it is in the name of "family". Schumacher missed the boat on "family values" I would bet his family is ashamed of him. If Shaw had any values, he would dis-associate his campaign from this disaster.
I missed nothing, I did not say it was illegal, I said you could use the same reasoning. Learn to read.
If his family was neglected and starving prior to this offer by Hamilton, I could understand a little bit. Does anybody know if the Schumacher family was poor, neglected and starving ? if so, give the guy a break, if not, he's a Judas.
There are things more important than money, like integrity, which is clear that Schumacher has none.
I'm not sure who I should be more disgusted with, Schumacher or Shaw for trying to buy off a critic.
1) The NFL has very, very strict rules about this very thing, players, coaches, etc are prohibited from even talking to another team without permission. Vinateri was at or in the legal window to change teams.
2) The season started before last July when Schumacher started helping Kooiker.
3) Your anaolgy is flawed, Schumacher would not be a player he would be the coach and Kooiker would be the team. The Shaw team bribed the Kooiker team coach to change teams, after seeing the playbook and plans for the Kooiker team. My guess is the NFL wouldnt allow anything close to this scenario to happen in the NFL. BECAUSE, THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY !!
You sound like Tony Soprano.
no wonder the 2/3 majority gop in south dakota is on life support.
politics is a contact sport and if you don't like tough shit.
The guy did what politicos do every day in this business. shut and move out.
call schumacher, he could use a friend now.
Talking about Deb Hadcock in the previous Blog. Yes she is running and she is an outstanding City Counsil Member. She has done so much for this city. She has raised private donations for the Christmas Lights and the Trolleys.
She makes a difference in everything she does, she always seems to find solutions on things for the city. The more she accomplishes the more people have to talk about her. She could have stayed on the on the one side of the fence, but she went through the gate and got things done and made them a success. Well done Deb. She also willing to put her hands to plpw, when they got the big star on the watertower, she was willing to climb up the water tower to help put it up. Question for the people that put people down. What have you done for our city lately except cut down the people that have made a difference in our city. Deb Hadcock has made a real difference in the city in the 2 years she has been on the city counsil. She is willing to get her hands dirty and work hard for her constiuents and also for the entire city of Rapid City.
I would like to give her a pat on the back and a round of applause for everything that she has done. GOOD JOB DEB HADCOCK
The previous post is telling "Hadcock is willing to get her hands dirty".
yup.