From today's edition of my hometown paper:
With both South Dakota political conventions now in the book, voters can step back and seriously begin taking stock before casting their ballots in November.
One of the biggest surprises, and disappointments, of the weekend was the Democratic Party’s failure to come up with candidates for major constitutional offices. The party of Herseth and Kneip (the last two elected Democratic governors) failed to nominate candidates for state treasurer, state auditor and secretary of state. That’s simply unacceptable.
The Democratic nominee for governor, Jack Billion, is likely the strongest the party could put forward. He’s smart, experienced and personable. But he’s a long shot, at best. His choice of a virtual unknown as his running mate, Eric Abrahamson of Rapid City, was questionable, as was his premise that Gov. Mike Rounds has taken the state in the wrong direction.
Billion also has cited “family values” as a campaign topic and if that includes the abortion issue, our view is that it cuts both ways. As local delegate Dave Mitchell said to his fellow Democrats over the weekend in Huron: “There is no consensus in our party on this issue. We’re divided right down the middle.”
Still, Billion could resonate with voters if he offers some practical solutions to low pay, not only for teachers, but for employees in general, and provides a plan that would foster economic development in out-state South Dakota, which largely has been left behind as the Black Hills and I-29 corridors prosper.
Republicans have their own problems. Pro-abortion advocates are doing their best to tag the GOP with an “extremist” label, and PUC Commissioner Bob Sahr’s decision to not seek re-election because of unspecified and unproven accusations left a bad taste all around. Sahr insisted he could refute the rumors. He should have — and stayed on the ticket.
With July 4 coming up fast, voters will have four months to get up to speed. Given that the ballot will be laden with all sorts of issues, in addition to the candidates, we all will have to pay close attention.
Recent Comments