Dean and SD Dem's

Kevin Woster from the Rapid City Journal has this piece in today's edition.  In the article, the Whalen campaign asks Rep. Herseth and the SD Democrats how they feel about Howard Dean and many of his offensive comments which include calling Republicans "brain-dead" (Peter Gorrie, "Speading the Message,"  Toronto Star, 3/20/05).  But, Rep. Herseth won't denounce her support of him while she tries to maintain the support of Republican voters in South Dakota, voters who in the eyes of Democratic leadership are apparently "brain-dead."  In a state with a plurality of Republican voters, wouldn't she try distancing herself from such comments?  Here's an excerpt from the article:

Breard said there was no need to use Dean to divert attention from the Internet rumors about Herseth. The campaign has much larger issues, including Herseth's avoidance of debate challenges from Whalen, Breard said. But Breard agreed with Wetz that Herseth should clarify whether she rejects Dean's past attacks on Republicans, who represent the majority party in South Dakota.

"Howard Dean stated that 'I hate Republicans and everything they stand for,'" Breard said. "Does Herseth now stand with Dean in a state that has more registered Republicans than Democrats?"

Carr and Levsen declined to respond to that question directly.

"I think it's a red herring, a transparent attempt to change the subject," Levsen said.

It appears that the Whalen campaign and many South Dakota voters want to know whether our Congressional Representative supports Howard Dean, but she'd prefer not to "change the subject."  Maybe she'll tell us how she feels when she makes it to a debate.  Read the whole RCJ article here.

UPDATE:

Though it takes some reading between the lines, Dave Kranz of the Argus Leader notes that Howard Dean is not the best cheerleader for SD Democrats who are bringing him to the state.  Check out this bit:

Sometimes I wonder if South Dakota Democratic Party officials just like to beat themselves up.

A long-anticipated e-mail arrived Monday announcing a Wednesday visit to Rapid City by Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee chairman. Dean has an in-your-face style that might be refreshing and even motivating at times, but he is also a high-risk speaker.

Read it all here.