Blue Note

Senator Johnson

2006-12-13T15:41:00.000-06:00

The SDDP asks that you keep Senator Johnson and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

The New Team

2006-12-10T19:51:00.000-06:00

From L to R, Deb Knecht Vice-Chairwoman, Bill Nibbelink Treasurer, Barb Himmel-Roberts Secretary, and Jack Billion Chairman.

Education Funding Still a Low Priority

2006-12-06T09:24:00.000-06:00

Breaking down the Governor's budget address yesterday, and education funding went from $4418 per student in 06 to $4496 in 07. That's an increase of 1.8%. When inflation is 3.9 %, how do we expect our schools to provide a quliaty educaiton?

The Real Reason

2006-11-29T08:40:00.000-06:00

The AP/Aberdeen American News is reporting that a language change may be introduced for Initiative Measure 5 to clarify penalities for misuse of state vehicles. This comes after the measure passed with broad support across the state. Instead of listenting to the voters, the Governor has complained that the measure would affect state employees.

It's important to note that the real reason the Governor has been criticized for his misuse of taxpayer owned aircraft is that he took several political and private trips to places like Boca Rotan, Seattle, and Las Vegas, and only paid back the money when called on it by the Argus. What mechanisim did he use to pay the state? The Governor's Club, an unregulated slush fund with zero oversight. That is not good government.

Back on track

2006-11-27T09:13:00.000-06:00

After a post election break, look for more posting as we approach the 2007 legislative session.

Democrats Make Legislative Gains

2006-11-08T16:22:00.000-06:00

From an SDDP Release:

- Will Use Momentum, Common Ground in ‘08 Push -

Pierre, SD

Though some results have yet to be finalized, it appears that Democrats gained a total of six legislative seats. The gain of five senate seats is especially significant. The entire slate of 89 Democratic candidates unified behind the Common Ground plan, which is a pledge to voters to change the priorities in Pierre from divisive social politics to the issues that affect all South Dakotans.

“Clearly the Common Ground message was accepted statewide, and this return to meat and potato issues resonated with voters,” said Judy Olson Duhamel, Chairwoman of the South Dakota Democratic Party.

“We’re proud of the races our candidates ran. They worked hard and stayed on their positive message for a new direction for South Dakota,” Olson Duhamel continued. “We plan to use this momentum and Common Ground to gain even more seats in the 2008 election.”

Olson Duhamel also pointed to Dr. Jack Billion’s campaign as a contributor to Democrats’ legislative success.

“Jack, while working hard on his campaign, also pushed the Common Ground agenda. He stumped for legislative candidates on his statewide travels and energized voters by talking about the issues that affect all South Dakotans.”

While Democrats Seek Common Ground, Republicans...?

2006-11-07T10:20:00.000-06:00

Have no plan. Zip. Nothing. Nadda. Just more of the same. Chronic under-funding of education, 90,000 South Dakotans without health care, state E85 vehicles that didn't even use one full tank of E85 in the past year, and the lowest wages in the region. Their focus has instead been on divsisve social issues like teaching creationism in public schools and absitnance only education.

In contrast, Democrats have a plan. A positive agenda for change in South Dakota. That plan is called Common Ground. Visit www.sdcommonground.org and look at the 11 points that lay out a new direction for South Dakota. The choice today is simple.

SDGOP asks you to vote...tomorrow?

2006-11-04T18:30:00.000-06:00

Empty Tanks, Empty Rhetoric Part 2

2006-11-02T17:43:00.000-06:00

From an SDDP Release:

- Rounds’ Attempt to Fool Voters Only Highlights Failure -

Pierre, SD

Today Governor Mike Rounds released a campaign radio ad designed to deflect significant criticism he endured over his lackluster support of South Dakota’s ethanol and bio-diesel industry. In the ad, Rounds states:

‘As Governor, I implemented a new policy to purchase flex fuel vehicles for the state automotive fleet.’ Listen to the ad.

What the Governor does not state in the ad is that the 558 E85 flex fuel vehicles purchased with taxpayer dollars used only 18 gallons each of E85 in the past year.

“What a waste of taxpayer dollars. Farmers should benefit from the purchase of these vehicles, not General Motors,” said SDDP Chairwoman Judy Olson Duhamel. “Governor Rounds should be held accountable for not supporting South Dakota’s farmers, and he should be held accountable for trying to pretend otherwise. It’s rhetoric, not reality.”

“Our state needs new leadership. With Common Ground, Democrats have a specific plan for change.” Olson Duhamel continued.

The Common Ground plan proposed by the entire slate of Democratic legislative candidates seeks to require ethanol and bio-diesel in state vehicles, as well as convert school buses to bio-diesel.

Furthermore, the Governor states in his ad that ‘As a leader in the Senate, I voted for ethanol incentives more than 20 times.’

Here are some of Governor Rounds’ votes as a member of the Senate for the ethanol industry:

1992 HB 1009: Supported by the State’s ethanol industry, this bill sought to fund the Ethanol Producer Payment Fund which had been depleted during the Janklow administration. It chose funding via the State transportation budget as per the recommendation of the official 1991 legislative interim study on economic development.
Passed Rounds: Nay

1993 SB 180: The bill appropriated $1.7 million for the Ethanol Producer Payment Fund during fiscal year 1994.
Failed Rounds: Nay

1996 SB 264: Revises the distribution of the petroleum release compensation and tank inspection fee to provide additional funds for ethanol producer incentive payments.
Failed Rounds: Nay

1998 SB 158: The bill would have stopped the transfer of unobligated cash from the ethanol fuel fund.
Failed Rounds: Nay

1998 SB 212: The bill increases funds for ethanol producer incentive payments through petroleum release compensation and tank inspection fee.
Failed Rounds: Nay

Johnson and Herseth Endorse Common Ground

2006-10-31T10:25:00.000-06:00

From an SDDP Release:

Johnson and Herseth Endorse Common Ground
-Praise Economic Development Emphasis -

Pierre, SD

The South Dakota Democratic Party is honored to announce today that US Senator Tim Johnson and US Representative Stephanie Herseth have endorsed the unified plan, Common Ground. All 89 Democratic legislative candidates have signed on to the plan which aims to change the priorities of South Dakota’s state government.

Senator Johnson and Representative Herseth pointed to Common Ground’s emphasis on small business growth and economic development as elements that generated their endorsements.

“The economic growth and development of our state is a key priority from me. As part of my Hometown Prosperity Plan, I want to promote partnerships with leaders at all levels of government. The focus that Common Ground and our Democratic legislative candidates have shown on economic development proves that they know that course we need to take and are committed to making this a reality,” said Senator Johnson.

“Common Ground is the kind of forward looking, long-term vision that rural America needs,” said Representative Herseth. “Whether by supporting renewable bio-fuels as the key driver of our agricultural economy or by assisting small business start-ups with tax free zones, Common Ground includes common sense policy solutions for our rural communities across the state.”

In addition, Senator Johnson and Representative Herseth commented on the unprecedented nature of the Common Ground proposal.

“South Dakota families expect and deserve a unified focus on the meat and potatoes issues that affect their daily lives. Common Ground represents that new direction,” said Representative Herseth.

“To propose a clear unified plan with set goals for the next legislative session is just common sense,” said Senator Johnson. “The Democratic candidates have taken it a step further by reaching out to Republicans to accomplish their goals. That open attitude is what the voters of South Dakota expect.”

Common Ground Addresses Bleak SD State Education Investment Census Numbers

2006-10-30T10:33:00.000-06:00

From an SDDP Release:

Common Ground Themed Release
South Dakota Democratic Party
www.sdcommonground.org
October 30, 2006

Common Ground Invests in Education
- Census Numbers Show South Dakota Last in State Education Funding-

Pierre, SD

In March of 2006, the US Census released figures that are horrible news for South Dakota’s children. According to the figures, South Dakota ranks last in the nation in terms of state investment in public education. The unified Democratic Common Ground plan calls for the Adequacy Education Bill (SB 120) as the mechanism to invest in education.

“When you couple the record opt-outs with these bleak Census statistics, there is little doubt that South Dakota’s state education investment is inadequate,” said Senator Ben Nesselhuf, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “With Common Ground, Democrats are the only candidates with a clear plan to address the issue.”

“With the Alliance Education Bill, we’re not asking for the farm,” said Representative Burt Elliott, an Aberdeen teacher who serves on the House Education Committee. “If you factor in the additional state investment the Alliance Bill provides, it only gets South Dakota to 42nd in the nation in terms of state investment in education.”

Common Ground is an eleven point plan and pledge to voters that seeks to change the priorities in Pierre from issues that divide, to issues that unite South Dakotans. The entire slate of 89 Democratic candidates has signed on to Common Ground, and has made a point to reach out to moderate Republicans who share the same desire to move South Dakota forward.

Breakdown of surrounding state’s investment in education from the US Census:

Minnesota is 4th with $7,272 per student in state funding.
Wyoming is 10th with $5,834 per student in state funding.
Iowa is 31st with $4,059 per student in state funding.
North Dakota is 46th with $3,307 per student in state funding.
South Dakota is 50th with $2,742 per student in state funding.

The Alliance Education Bill calls for $820 more per student which would place South Dakota at 42nd.

The figures can be found at http://ftp2.census.gov/govs/school/04f33pub.pdf and by typing page 23 in your PDF browser (not page 23 on the report) and going to Table 11.

# # #

SDGOP Using Flawed Logic to Defend Governor's Club

2006-10-26T14:06:00.000-05:00

From an SDDP Release:

SDGOP Using Flawed Logic
-Invites New Round of Gov Club Criticism-

Pierre, SD

In an obvious attempt to pre-empt Democratic calls for openness concerning this weekend’s Governor’s Hunt, the Chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party issued a statement that crosses all lines of logic and reason. The statement implied that the various levels of giving defined by the SDDP were of the same ilk as the shadowy slush fund known as the Governor’s Club.

“The Chairman’s logic is hard to follow. Is he suggesting that the money raised by our Truman program goes to the family of President Truman? The money raised by the Governor’s Club goes directly to the Governor,” said Jason Schulte, Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party.

“Let’s remember that Randy Frederick is the same man who in the face of crippling drought, thinks South Dakota farmers are better off now then they were four years ago. With Common Ground, Democrats and moderate Republicans have embraced a positive plan for change. Is this the best Republican leadership can do to move South Dakota forward?”

“Furthermore, when you give to our Truman program with the South Dakota Democratic Party, you get a keyboard sweeper and the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping change the priorities of government in Pierre,” said Schulte. “Under the Rounds Administration, when you become a Governor’s Club member, you get to take political joyrides on state aircraft, attend swanky private parties at the mansion, and basically use your checkbook for government access.”

Schulte pointed to the following facts to support Democratic calls for openness:

1. Citizens and elected officials in South Dakota cannot pick up the phone and call the SDGOP or the Governor’s office and receive the names and amounts of Governor’s Club contributors.

2. Citizens and elected officials in South Dakota cannot pick up the phone and call the SDGOP or the Governor’s office and receive the names and amounts of all contributors to the Governor’s new $3 million mansion.

3. Citizens and elected officials in South Dakota cannot pick up the phone and call the SDGOP or the Governor’s office and receive the names of Governor’s Hunt attendees.

4. Contributions to the South Dakota Democratic Party and how that money is spent are reported to the Secretary of State’s Office and the Federal Election Commission. Contributions to the Governor’s Club and how that money is spent are reported to no one.

# # #

Where have I heard this before?

2006-10-24T15:12:00.000-05:00

Governor Rounds recently in the AP:

"We sometimes get so concerned with the issues that divide us, we forget all the things that unite us," he said. "We should always respect other individuals. We should recognize that other people have differing points of view, but at the same time we have a lot more in common than we'll ever disagree on."

Sounds like someone has been reading the Democratic Common Ground plan that states:

Democrats pledge to introduce legislation that focuses on the issues that unite South Dakotans, not divide us. Legislative sessions focused on divisive social issues do not solve the state’s education, economic development, and health care challenges.

Republicans Set Precedent for Common Ground Reserve Fund Use

2006-10-19T14:16:00.000-05:00

From an SDDP release:

On September 28th, the entire slate of Democratic candidates unified behind the Common Ground plan. The Common Ground plan does not raise or add taxes. According to the South Dakota Department of Legislative Audit there is $862,751,977.89 in South Dakota’s taxpayer money held in Pierre.

Upon the release of Common Ground and in the absence of their own plan, Republican leadership criticized Common Ground stating “…but you just can’t say ‘Oh we’ll take the money out of the reserves to settle that.” [SDGOP Chairman Frederick, Capital Journal 10-06-06]

Today, Democratic legislators responded to Republican leadership’s assertions by illuminating the fact that in the last legislative session, lawmakers set a precedent for reserve fund use by using the Railroad Trust Fund to fund other projects.

“It’s hypocritical of Republican leadership to back last session’s use of the Railroad Trust fund, and then criticize us for wanting to use some of the nearly one billion of taxpayer dollars in Pierre to help small businesses,” said Senator Julie Bartling, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee. “We spent reserves to purchase the Homestake mine because it was the right thing to do. Converting school buses to bio-diesel is also the right thing to do.”

“We have no intention of spending the funds down,” said Representative Paul Dennert, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee. “We intend to follow the precedent set by the governor and the legislature to partially utilize reserve funds for the positive programs proposed in Common Ground like early childhood education.”

The components of Common Ground that do not require state funding are:

• Tax-free zones for small business start-ups.
• Restructuring the REDI Fund to include small businesses and for requiring REDI Fund loan recipients to pay a living wage.
• Addressing the challenges facing Native Americans by keeping their economic development opportunities free from undue government influence and bureaucratic red tape.
• Introducing legislation to make South Dakota’s government open and accountable. This includes reforming reporting requirements for legislative races and tightening regulations on political slush funds.
• Introducing legislation that focuses on the issues that unite South Dakotans, not divide us.

Common Ground calls for a new direction for South Dakota, and a return to the meat and potato issues of better jobs and wages, better use of taxpayer dollars, and a brighter future for all South Dakotans.

# # #

In desperation, Republican leadership nationwide turning to the boogie-man

2006-10-10T16:21:00.000-05:00

Bush says Democrats would raise taxes

Sound familiar? Now we've stayed away from national politics on this blog because our focus is on making South Dakota a better place, but the parallel is eerily similar. In the face of failed foreign policy, a mess in Iraq, the return of the Taliban, Republican Legislators and leaders embroiled in one scandal after another, and a huge deficit powered by out-of control spending, Bush turns to the most tired of boogie-men, Democrats will raise taxes. They're dousing themselves in cologne in DC, and the scent's name is DESPERATION.

Funny thing is, the're selling the same brand here in SD.

When SD Democrats launched their unified Common Ground plan to change the priorties in South Daktoa, here is the only defense Republican leadership could counter with:

Republicans responded quickly to the news, issuing their own news release calling the Democratic plan a blueprint for higher taxes.

Boo! Did they scare ya? First, Common Ground does not raise taxes or add new taxes. That is a fact. In the face of a state where median wages are the lowest in the nation, teachers are paid lowest in the nation, state government spending has risen by 20% in 3 years, schools are opting out in record numbers just to survive, and on average the 544 E85 vehicles the state owns used a miniscule 18 gallons of E85 last year while farmers suffer from the worst drought in decades, this is the best they can do. Talk about no new ideas from Republican leadership in SD and nationwide.

Democrats are the ones with a plan for a new direction. Democrats are the ones unfied. Republican leadership is offering only more scare tactics.

The Need for Common Ground - Better Jobs, Better Wages

2006-10-07T06:30:00.000-05:00

From Today's Rapid City Journal

Even the limited 2.1 percent rise in wages in South Dakota last year may be deceptive because of the much higher percentage increases for essential expenses such as health-care costs, Democratic legislative candidate Pam Hemmingsen of Rapid City said. Wage earners must try to balance increases in their income against a much higher rise in other costs of living, the District 32 House candidate said.

“With the rising cost of health care, I’d argue that the actual wage increase is even smaller,” Hemmingsen said. “The average dollar amount in the pockets of South Dakotans is far less than it was a few years ago.”

Hemmingsen said priorities of Rounds and the Republican-controlled Legislature have been in the wrong place — emphasizing divisive social issues and missing opportunities to boost small business and support wage earners.

Hemmingsen and other Democratic legislative candidates are proposing an economic- development package aimed at increasing the minimum wage, re-directing state-funded loans to be more helpful to smaller businesses and requiring industries that benefit from the loans to pay higher wages.

Partisan politics shouldn’t stand in the way of a good idea.

2006-10-03T09:55:00.000-05:00

From today's Mitchell Daily Republic

But some of the Common Ground points deserve a good, hard look. No matter who is in the majority – Republicans outnumber Democrats 51-19 in the House of Representatives and 25-10 in the Senate – the Legislature should constantly be seeking ways to better the lives of South Dakotans. If it means developing a road map for the future, so be it.

Howard Dean

2006-10-02T14:14:00.000-05:00

Just a quick point in reference to this RCJ opinion column, show me a DNC chair was has done more for local legislative candidates in South Dakotathen Howard Dean. He pays for three full time staff members on the ground in this state. Unprecidented. Two of those positions directly affect legislative candidates.

Democrats Propose Common Ground, Republican Legislators Propose....

2006-10-01T09:55:00.000-05:00

More divisive social legislation.

The contrast could not be clearer. Democrats address the meat and potato issues of education, health care, and economic development, and far right Republican legislators want to teach creationism in public schools.

As the article mentions, mandating creationism in schools thwarts local control and will cost more money. Wow, I guess its OK for Republicans to spend money on not teaching facts in public school and bad for Democrats to propose loans and grants for small businesses. Using Randy Frederick's commments about Common Ground as a guide, I expect to see the following headline across the state:

Republican Plan to Teach Creationism Leads to State Income Tax

Common Ground Will Not Raise Taxes...It May Even Lower Them

2006-09-29T13:41:00.000-05:00

From and SDDP Release:

Common Ground Does Not Raise Taxes
(It May Even Lower Them)

Pierre, SD

Today, the South Dakota Democratic Party released the following fact sheet in response to the South Dakota Republican Party Chairman’s false assertions in regards to the SDDP’s unifying plan, Common Ground. In addition, South Dakota Democratic Party Chairwoman Judy Olson Duhamel made the following statement directed specifically at Mr. Frederick’s baseless remarks.

“Chairman Frederick knows he can try and muddy the waters with threats of high taxes,” said Chairwoman Olson Duhamel. “What really scares the SDGOP about Common Ground is the plan to limit the growth of state government and to have a full audit. An honest audit will reveal what years of mismanagement have done to our state.”

Olson Duhamel continued. “South Dakotans should reject the same old Republican politics of fear and embrace the positive direction of Common Ground.”

Common Ground fact sheet:

• Common Ground does not raise taxes. The state has nearly a billion dollars in reserves. Those funds belong to the taxpayers of South Dakota. The initiatives in Common Ground that require state assistance (incentives for converting school buses to agri-fuels, grants from the Future Fund to small businesses, and drought relief) are investments in the future of South Dakota. The tax dollars hoarded by the state should be partially used to build a better future for all South Dakotans.

• Republican leadership has no plan. Instead they criticize Common Ground for laying out a new direction for South Dakota. Democrats are not criticizing Republicans, and instead are offering a positive plan for both parties to work together. Once Republican leadership tires of throwing punches, Democrats welcome the opportunity to work together for the future of South Dakota.
• How do you equate a plan that seeks to shrink the growth of state government from its rapid three year growth of 20% under Republican rule with raising taxes?

• Republican Party leadership should be accountable to the facts. When they make wild claims that the Democratic plan will raise taxes without a shred of evidence, their claims approach slander. Republican leadership should have to provide factual data to support their claims that Common Ground will raise taxes.

• The education portion of Common Ground is specific and detailed in that it uses the Alliance Education Bill (SB 120) as its guide for fully funding education. This is a creative solution that fully funds education without raising taxes. In addition, when schools are fully funded, opt-outs will cease. The Common Ground plan has the potential to lower property taxes. (In the 2006 legislative session, every Republican voted against SB 120 while every Democrat voted for it)

Learn more about Common Ground at www.sdcommonground.org

Common Ground

2006-09-29T00:31:00.000-05:00

Common Ground
The Democratic Party Charts a New Direction for South Dakota

Your Paycheck…Bigger
Democrats understand that average South Dakotans work hard for their paycheck…and we want to make sure it stretches out far enough to make up for skyrocketing energy, health care and transportation costs.
1. Democrats will introduce legislation to increase economic development for South Dakota’s small towns and rural communities. First, by requiring ethanol and bio-diesel use in state vehicles. Second, by offering incentives to school districts to switch their buses to use ethanol and bio-diesel. Third, by bringing South Dakota’s wind energy production to levels equal with surrounding states.
2. Too often, large out-of-state corporations are given preferential treatment in South Dakota at the expense of small business. Democrats will introduce legislation that uses the Future Fund for grants and loans for small businesses, the backbone of South Dakota’s economic development engine.
3. In the 2007 legislative session, Democrats will introduce several choices for legislators that directly benefit the pocketbooks of South Dakotans. These include tax free zones for small business start ups, raising the minimum wage, restructuring the REDI fund to include small businesses, and requiring REDI fund loan recipients to pay a living wage.

Your Tax $$$...Used Responsibly
Democrats understand that your tax dollars represent a relationship of trust with your elected officials. We will respect that trust by investing in necessary and appropriate government programs, and cutting down on waste in the system.

1. Democrats will introduce legislation to curb the dramatic growth of state government from its recent three year spurt of 19.9%, under Republican rule. The current administration’s unchecked discretionary spending on new airplanes and additional employees is not sound fiscal policy. Democrats’ first step toward fiscal responsibility will be a call for a full audit of South Dakota’s state government.
2. Democrats pledge to introduce legislation that focuses on the issues that unite South Dakotans, not divide us. Legislative sessions focused on divisive social issues do not solve the state’s education, economic development, and health care challenges.
3. Democrats will introduce legislation to make South Dakota government open and accountable. This includes reforming reporting requirements for legislative races and tightening regulations on political slush funds. The responsible use of tax revenue relies on transparent government.

Your Family’s Future…Brighter
South Dakota Democrats understand that we need to invest in the next generation today. That means creative and innovative solutions to the challenges we face as a rural state.

1. Democrats are committed to a quality education for our kids. Democrats will introduce legislation similar to the ‘Alliance Education’ bill. By placing state government on the same diet as schools, Democrats will adequately fund education without raising taxes.
2. Democrats are committed to addressing the challenges facing Native Americans by keeping their economic development opportunities free from undue government influence and bureaucratic red tape.
3. Early childhood nutrition and education should be funded at a much greater level than South Dakota funds new prison construction. Democrats will introduce legislation that looks at long-term and positive solutions to our burgeoning prison population.
4. In other states, Democrats and Republicans are working together to craft solutions to health care challenges. 90,000 South Dakotans are currently without health coverage. Democrats will introduce legislation that looks for partners to meld new ideas with South Dakota’s fiscal realities.
5. Democrats support the partial release of state reserve funds to provide much needed assistance to farmers, ranchers, and small businesses hard hit by the current drought crisis. While it is important to balance unknown future needs with current challenges, emergency funds exist for a reason.

Common Ground
The Meat and Potato Issues that Affect South Dakota’s Families

Air Let Out of Whalen Debate Balloon

2006-09-25T18:35:00.000-05:00

From the Mitchell Daily Republic

CHEERS to news that Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth and Republican challenger Bruce Whalen will meet in a series of three debates next month. Voters in the state are ready to hear what each has to say during this election season. Whalen insists Herseth has been dodging him, but we feel that three debates in October, all to be broadcast, will give the state’s voters a good idea what is on each candidate’s mind and in plenty of time before the Nov. 7 election.

Interesting Omissions and Additions to the redesigned SDGOP web site

2006-09-21T19:06:00.000-05:00

First of all, I have to admit the redesigned site looks good. While viewing the site, however, I noticed three very interesting things. First, I can find no link to the 2006 SDGOP platform. Remember, this is the platform that endorsed teaching Creationism alongside Evolution in public schools.

The other interesting item is found on the page that gives talking points for radio call in shows.
Read them all, becuase it sounds to me a lot like the SDGOP is endorsing the idea of privatizing social security. When the President tried to push this, it went down in flames. Furthermore, if memory serves, that issue went over like a lead balloon with South Dakotans as well.

Then there's this gem on the 'I'm a Republican Because' page

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

Then why has state goverment, where we have a Republican governor and both sides of the legislature have Republican majorities, grown by almost 20% in the past three years?

Daschle Legacy Day

2006-09-15T15:14:00.000-05:00

Dear Friend,

I write to you today asking that you join us in fighting for a new direction for South Dakota. You can join this fight by attending the first annual Daschle Legacy Day on September 23 in Sioux Falls. The event benefits the South Dakota Democratic Party’s Daschle Legacy Fund. The sole purpose of the Daschle Legacy Fund is to elect Democrats to the South Dakota Legislature.

This November we have an opportunity to return South Dakota to a state that reflects the hearts and values of its people. In past sessions, the Republican majority has choked the agenda full of divisive social legislation. They do this while ignoring the meat and potato issues that affect South Dakotan’s every day lives like quality education, affordable health care, open and accountable government, and better jobs and wages. By supporting the Daschle Legacy Fund you will help our 10 year record high slate of ninety candidates change the focus to common ground issues that benefit all South Dakotans.

The Daschle Legacy Fund contributes all proceeds to targeted legislative races in a strategic manner. We have the opportunity to elect a Democratic majority in the Senate this year and get very close to doing the same in the House. By focusing on these races now, our Party will be stronger leading into the 2008 election. Now is the time for a new direction and we can’t do it without your generous contribution.

The first annual Daschle Legacy Day will be in Sioux Falls at the Thaler residence on Saturday, September 23. Their address is 2502 South Timber Place. All proceeds from this event will go toward targeted legislative races. We hope that you are able to join Senator Daschle and honor him with your presence at this inaugural event. However, if you are unable to attend please consider contributing to the Daschle Legacy Fund as a show of your support by giving $1000, $500, $250, $100 or whatever you can to the Daschle Legacy Fund today. Please make checks payable to the South Dakota Democratic Party.

I am grateful for your friendship and support for this important battle. For additional information on how to play a larger role in this campaign, please contact the South Dakota Democratic Party at (605) 224-1750.

US Senator Tim Johnson

More Whalen Wisdom

2006-09-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

From the Rapid City Weekly News

"...I’m happy to be the representative of the South Dakota Republican Party.”

and

Whalen said he doesn’t owe Herseth an apology and will not offer one. “I have nothing to apologize for.”

So as the representative of the SDGOP, Whalen feels that he does not need to apologize for his campaign manager spreading viscious personal lies about the Congresswoman. And yet he claims that his values are closer to average South Dakotans.