This article by Kevin Wooster, in the Rapid City Journal, cited below by Master Heppler, is indeed fascinating reading. South Dakota Senate Leader Gary Moore charges that Steve Hildebrand and "his employee, Chad Schuldt, have been working to defeat pro-choice Democrats in South Dakota. Hildebrand, of course, is a former campaign manager for Tom Daschle, and Daschle currently employs him to manage his political action committee.
That there is a schism in the SD Democratic party is clear. I can understand why Senator Moore sees this in personal terms, but the cause looks to be structural more than personal. Daschle has been a national figure for some years now, and he is no longer a South Dakota politician in any meaningful sense. Whether he runs for President (I think he will ultimately decide against that) or continues to work on national issues from other podiums, he is now heavily invested elsewhere. There is of course nothing wrong with this. It should be a matter of pride for South Dakotans in both parties that we produced such a player on the national scene, though Democrats will no doubt enjoy it more. But Daschle continues to have a big presence in the Rushmore State, and his national interests have clearly caused some problems for the state Democratic party.
I find this personally amusing, as Chad has recently accused SDP of being an organ of the Thune organization, which it manifestly is not. Now I swear I remember Chad denying that he worked for Steve Hildebrand. Maybe my memory is faulty. Maybe the Rapid City Journal piece is wrong. Maybe circumstances have changed, and Chad has subsequently begun working for Hildebrand. But if Wooster and Senate Moore are right, then CCK looks a lot like an organ of Daschle Enterprises. That's fine of course. I do not think that they are under any real obligation to advertise the fact. Readers of the blogosphere are always advised to beware. I prefer to pay attention to what is being said rather than who is saying it.
But it does make me question their judgment on another matter. Chad and his fellows have been very fond of shrill invective. They like profanity, and are occasionally flamboyant about it. They are fond of calling people idiots and despicable, in lieu of making any arguments of their own. This is certainly their right. The blogosphere is all about freedom of expression. But given their obvious connections to Daschle, one wonders whether this tone is wisely chosen. Perhaps Daschle hasn't been paying attention. Or maybe CCK is Daschle's alter-ego: they talk the way Daschle would talk were he not under obligation to be politic. Having met Daschle, I liked him and I think his respect for those who disagree with him is genuine. I can't help thinking he must wince when he learns that CCK called the Senate Democratic leader an idiot.
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