Herseth

Joel Rosenthal of South Dakota Straight Talk has an article entitled "It's In the Mail - Let the Campaign Begin" where he rips on Stephanie Herseth's new mailer, in which she claims credit for saving Ellsworth Air Force Base.  Joel thinks the mailer cost a ton:

While our Congressional Representatives both Democrats and Republicans have been sending these name recognition and “I am fighting for folks like you” out for years this is not your reflex blue on white single page tri fold newsletter. I do not know the cost but from my limited experience buying print, it cost a bundle of cash more that the GPO or Congressional print shop variety. Also it arrived just after the new postage rates went into effect but I suspect it probably was mailed before last Sunday when the new rates went into effect.

Since it really is our money – someone should ask Ms. Herseth’s office how many pieces were mailed and what it cost us to tell us all the great things she is doing for us. All it would cost is a 39-cent stamp (citizens don’t get free mail privileges like Congress persons) on a letter for an interested Citizen to make a FOI (Freedom of Information) request.
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The contents are amazing. Besides the pretty warplane on the cover reminding us again of her bi partisanship and heavy lifting in saving Ellsworth. The inside is devoted to telling us how hard she is spending our money on the many projects she is delivering for South Dakota and it’s communities. A Big Map of South Dakota with little bursts telling us about everything from the Lewis & Clark Pipeline Project to small local water and sewer projects.

Just as a sidebar don’t forget that in the Transportation Bill each member of the House of Representatives was allotted 14 million dollars to earmark for projects that they designate. No work required you just had to be a member of Congress. This is in addition of the Billions of dollars of expenditures that were made in the mammoth pork barrel bill.

Even this mailing cost us a ton. The mailing was not really necessary because she has neither opposition nor the likelihood of any. She is ahead by a mile. She did not need to spend more of our money telling us how she is delivering for us by sending us this mailing.

Then again it’s an election year, consider this mailing the official kickoff of her reelection campaign.

Read the whole thing.  Also, the Mitchell Daily Republic had an article today on Herseth and the lack of GOP challengers:

Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth has rolled into 2006 without a Republican challenger for the November election, and some Republicans are beginning to worry.

Larry Diedrich, who lost two elections to Herseth, said the eventual Republican nominee - whoever it is - needs time to organize this winter before rallying supporters face-to-face at social events in the spring and summer.

“Every day that you’re not utilizing right now is a day that’s lost forever in the campaign,” he said.