Back in the saddle

I'm emerging from a weekend in the law school library with my head buried in the Uniform Commercial Code, trying to to figure out the intricacies of a purchase money security interest. I had the last test of my law school experience this morning and I must say it feels good to be done.

Lots of stuff to talk about, so check in frequently.

First, the Diedrich v. Herseth special election is starting to heat up. A Roll Call story today by Chris Cillizza reveals allegations from the Herseth campaign that Republicans have tested some hard-hitting ads. The piece is headlined "NRCC, DCCC Squaring Off; Battle for Edge Heads to S.D." Excerpt:

The Herseth campaign alleged late Monday that Republicans conducted focus groups as recently as two weeks ago that tested negative commercials for use against her.

The four potential ads tested included mentions of the fact that Herseth traveled to New York City to raise money for the race; that she advertised on a Democratic Web blog; an attempt to tie her to New York Sen. Hillary Clinton (D) and California Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D); and a final ad making clear that she favors abortion rights, according to Herseth spokesman Russ Levsen.

The "advertising on a Democratic Web blog" phrase is a reference to this story. A reader imagines the following script for a commercial:

"Four Americans, shot, dragged from their vehicle, burned and mutilated by an Iraqi mob.

"And Stephanie Herseth's friend said, 'Screw them.'

"Yes, a top Democrat website where Herseth raises tens of thousands of dollars sees brave Americans, who died to fight a war for freedom and says, 'Screw them.'

And Stephanie keeps taking their money.

You get the idea.