SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

Do Republicans in South Dakota have hope of retaking the congressional seat from the South Dakota Princess?

Five months ago I asked where is our candidate? Republicans still don’t have one and we now have just a little over three months until nominating petitions have to be filed (the first Tuesday in April.)

Many prospects have been named and each seems to have come and gone. Nowhere do we see a candidate. Thomas Bixler a young man from Yankton has said he would like to be the Republican candidate. I do not know Mr. Bixler, but I am acquainted with his grandmother, Vera Lilly. She is a very gentle lady who has been active in the GOP. Unfortunately, Mr. Bixler is unknown and has not taken any real initiative in becoming known since he announced his interest. The Republican Congressional Campaign Committee certainly has written South Dakota off their list of targets. Ms. Stephanie by contrast has almost one half million dollars in the bank and deep pockets of support from the feminists, undoubtedly the ag community (ah! The power of incumbency), of course the National Rifle Association, and no doubt many other Washington groups.

Sidebar – In my previous post, I expressed that our Congresswoman is vulnerable. Today she is less so than in July. The downside is that Republicans may not be as passionate about voting her out but on the upside Democrats are also less passionate about her. Of course Independents certainly are likely more solidly with her. Why wouldn’t they be? She admittedly wants to be an independent voice for South Dakota.

Well a new year approaches and I have a few suggestions of quality people who have expressed interest in higher office and could make the race competitive. Any of them would make a great representative for South Dakota in Congress and they should be recruited and encouraged.

Straight Talk’s Big Four (not in any ranked or particular order) are: Former State Representatives Carol Pitts and Ron Williamson, State Senator Dave Knudson and Secretary of State Development Jim Hagen. Any of these people could engage Herseth in what would be a very difficult re election for her.

Each of these people has and share attributes that would make this a competitive election. All would appeal to the large group of swing voters that in South Dakota determines who wins elections. All are well networked statewide. All have extensive government experience. All are well spoken. All have been in political campaigns and know what is required to communicate message and raise campaign funds. Williamson and Knudson would from the get go cut into the incumbent’s advantage in Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties (that now comprise 23.4 % of voters statewide) and Pitts and Hagen would be competitive in the other Herseth strongholds of Brookings County and Brown County and Northeastern South Dakota.

A word about name identification – Unquestionably the Princess has name identification of 90% or greater. But with a strong effort by election day, the Republican candidate would be at parity. This is even more likely because without a Presidential or US Senate election, the Congressional race is at the top of the ticket.

Republicans need a viable candidate . Anyone of these four could make this a real contest and with anyone of them as a candidate Stephanie would have a real contest and the Dems wouldn’t automatically being checking off the Congressional race box.

The Time Is Now! – While I never quit, now is almost too late and a few weeks from now would take the GOP’s opportunity to near zero. Giving Stephanie a free ride would tactically put Republicans on a slippery slope in the 2006 elections in South Dakota.

Where is our Candidate?