SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

News reports in the last few days have gently picked up the pace of political speculation about the top of the ticket races in 2010.

While politicos and the media have been waiting and waiting to hear what the South Dakota Princess has decided to do, she let it be known she has been thinking and talking to Max about the future and is leaving a run for Governor open as a possibility. As Gomer Pyle would say “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.” Mrs. Herseth Sandlin is going to wait a little longer. Waiting is becoming the South Dakota Democrat’s MO.

Today’s Argus Leader carries a My Voice column by Mike Huether imploring South Dakota government to share his values and balance its budget. While there is much in Huether’s letter to agree with, it is little more than a thinly veiled campaign piece. Titled: State Must Balance Budget, it indicates a strong interest by Huether in the Governorship.

Given the recent feature on Huether in Sioux Falls Business Journal (one might even consider it a putting one’s toe in the political water); you have to wonder if the Argus Leader (also publisher of the Business Journal) is not shilling for Huether.

Sidebar –Hopefully I will comment on Huether’s Op-ed soon.

I have vacillated (several times) on what our Congresswoman’s plans are. Within the past few months I believe she has settled on keeping her House Seat.

Much of this opinion is based on her recent big spending votes and the fact that she is a Columbia girl. Not Columbia, South Dakota which is near the Herseth farm in Houghton, but the District of Columbia. With her record in the last three months most South Dakotans would not support her for Governor, presumably not even Mike Huether who claims he understands fiscal responsibility.

My opinion is reinforced by the waiting. Waiting keeps the Republicans at bay and even makes it harder, should she announce that she is running for re election, to recruit what is probably the sacrificial candidate. Of course should she step up to run for Governor or Senator, there will be no shortage of candidates from either major Party.

Reading the tea leaves - Herseth stays put and another Mike wants to sit on the People’s throne in Pierre. Our U S Senate race remains the open question. Unlike others, John Thune can make a decision. He has a campaign manager, a skeleton campaign staff and has $4.4 million in his war chest. National analysts currently show Senator Thune as the safest of bets for re election.

Daydreaming here, there is a reasonable chance that Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem who has been in speculation mix will take on Thune. Heidepriem has said he will defer to our Stephanie in any office she might seek, thus making him the Democrat utility man. The Dems have No candidate for Governor – Scott, No candidate for U S House – Scott, thus if No candidate for U S Senate – Scott.

Scott has always had an interest in not only public service but in serving in the U S Congress. He ran unsuccessfully for the GOP nomination in 1986 and has written a biography of US Senator Karl Mundt (A Fair Chance for a Free People). Beyond political ambition, dedication to public service, the required ego, Heidepriem has run a statewide race and has fairly well honed campaign skills. Additionally he has the intellect and depth to make a serious challenge and will be given generous assistance from the White House and Democrat Senate majority (who want to get to veto proof majority of 60 members, want to avenge Tom Daschle’s defeat, and want to derail a GOP star in Thune) and the probable $10 million to run a serious challenge campaign.

Huether, Heidepriem and Herseth Sandlin seem reminiscent of the Democrats 2002 ticket they called their Dream Team of Jim Abbott, Tim Jonson and Stephanie Herseth. It was a dream team because they were dreaming. Johnson was the only winner. Oh those 524 votes.

Time will tell if 2010 will be different.

Crystal Ball readings are rarely perfect but it is interesting to speculate occasionally.