Rep Hunhoff sets the record straight

Don't miss Rep. Bernie Hunhoff's clear defense of the Democrat's fair, tough, and above all, honest fiscal proposals for South Dakota in today's Mitchell Republic. (Opinion: Recent 'Other view' editorial was misrepresentation, Feb 5)

(Unless of course, you believe our all-Republican, all-the-time team in Pierre is just doing a bang-up job in Pierre.)

As they say on Weekend Update: "Really?"




Hunhoff wrote this piece in response to a misleading criticism in a republished Watertown Opinion editorial last week, Hunhoff penned this editorial published in the Mitchell Republic that sets the record straight.

This editorial charged, among other things, that:

When asked about their plan to take money from the state's cash-flow fund, which essentially is the state's checking account, Democrats didn't know any details

Clearly, they simply made this up. They certainly didn't ask any Democrats.

Rep. Bernie Hunhoff responded with, well, the TRUTH:

The Public Opinion writer said “Democrats, when asked (about the state’s $1 billion cash flow account), didn’t know any details.” That’s absurd. Nobody asked. Every Democratic legislator has a list of the 262 accounts in the Cash Flow Account. Every one knows that many of those funds are off-limits and obligated, and they also know that many others belong to the citizens of South Dakota and have been used routinely as reserve funds.

We have a complete printout for any journalist or citizen who wants it. Call me at 773-3846 for your copy.

Hunhoff went on to tell the truth about how this has all gone down, as well:

Democratic legislators were the only voices in Pierre for ending the structural deficit until two weeks ago. We have fought for years to instill some budget discipline in the process so we could plan wisely for the future.

Gov. Daugaard failed to see a problem until he took the oath of office, but now he wants to change it before Easter by recklessly damaging our schools and our community health-care centers.

His plan would cost South Dakota in many ways. We’ll lose great teachers. Classroom sizes will be bigger. Costs will shift to property taxpayers. Nursing homes and non-profit health providers will close. The young and the poor will suffer the most.

When will South Dakotans wake up to the fact that a Republican monopoly unchallenged by the voters is not serving them well?

Back to basics for the South Dakota Dems

This just out...

A friend of mine who happens to be a Republican Rep in Pierre told me that maybe the Democrats should think about their message if they want more than six seats in the State Senate.

I think he meant... act more like Republicans.

Not so much.

South Dakota Dems can be trusted to be here and be on the side of working people. It's that simple. We did have a bad year in 2010, but we will never forget why we are Democrats... because we know that Reagan was wrong. Government is not the problem; government done wrong is the problem -- and government done wrong is what we've been getting from Republicans for 30 years now. We also know that we need everyone, and "when everyone does better, everyone does better." We are the party of vision, the party of possibility, and the real big tent.

The other guys in contrast, are all about what we can't afford, what we don't deserve, and why we should shut up. Watch them carefully the next two years, both in Pierre and Washington, and you'll see what I mean.

This is a time to saddle up. My friend Ben Nesselhuf seems to have the right idea:

VERMILLION – A Democratic state senator and former secretary of state candidate Ben Nesselhuf, Vermillion, said he’s got a “back-to-basics” strategy to rebuild the S.D. Democratic Party from the ashes of its 2010 election disaster.

“To rebuild successfully, Democrats in South Dakota need to get back to basics of raising enough money to compete in 2012. My goal is to create a more successful fundraising and messaging machine,” Nesselhuf said. “We’ll start by re-engaging people, cutting back on expenses and sticking to what we need to win. No frills. Just clear focus on what works and think creatively to win back the seats we lost in 2010.”

Nesselhuf set a state Democratic Party record for raising money as a constitutional candidate when he ran for Secretary of State. He raised more than $200,000 for his race. Nesselhuf served five terms in the S.D. Legislature in both the House and the Senate. During the 2008 campaign, he headed the party’s Majority Project which was successful in recruiting a record number of legislative candidates and raising money.

Nesselhuf said he made the decision to seek the chair position after listening to key Democratic activists around the state. He said the activists are anxious to rebuild and capitalize on the political tide turning against Republicans in the next election.

“I know Democrats can be winners. We have the courage of our convictions to move America and South Dakota forward. We are not afraid to fight for the middle class and to fix the mess in Pierre and in Washington that shortchanges the workplace and our schools. We just need to go back to the basics to raise the money, recruit the candidates, rebuild local organizations and stay committed to winning,” Nesselhuf said

Nesselhuf said he wants the state party to be prepared in 2012 to take full advantage of the next electoral opportunity.

“Our party suffered historic setbacks that we haven’t seen since the 1960s,” he said. “This state organization founded by George McGovern has seen worse times. We have always found it within ourselves and in each other to build back up. We can do better and better in the next four years and I will do my part as chair to reach this achievable goal.”

Young Dems in Brookings this weekend!

This came across the internets... just a reminder.

This is looking like a MOVEMENT!

A few highlights:

• Robert Doody from the ACLU will be there updating the group on non-discrimination efforts of ACLU and EqSD, both non-partisan organizations. Will the Young Republicans invite him too?
  
• Julie Bartling, I'm sure, will be talking up her legendary support for the young women of South Dakota. (Yes, I'm still mad about 2006. You should be, too.)
  
• I think it's real nice that Rep Herseth Sandlin is taking an interest in South Dakota politics.
  

This is a reminder that our first ever convention will be this Saturday at the Shamrock in Brookings. Highlights will include Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin at 4:00!

Registration is $10, $20 if you would like lunch. Hope to see you there!

Schedule

9:00 Official Business and Campaign 2010
10:00 Media training with Rick Hauffe

10:30 Caucuses:
LGBT: Non Discrimination Policies and DADT, Robert Doody ACLU
Rural: Representative Jason Frerichs
Women:Carmen Toft, Planned Parenthood
Minority Caucus: Voting Rights and the Reservation, Kevin Killer

Candidates Luncheon featuring:
Ben Nesselhauf
Julie Bartling
Dan Ahlers
Pam Merchant
Jason Frerichs
Anthony Valella
Devin Oliver
Angie Buhl
State E.D. Erin McCarrick
Repower South Dakota"s Matt McGovern

1:30 Training with Organizing for America State Director Amanda Mack
4:00Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin

West River 2010 primary hats are in the ring!

Looks like we've got a couple of Dems signed up in West River and some really interesting primary races on the Republican side. We're bound to see a few more pop up on the Sec of State's candidate list in the next couple of days.

Click on the images below to zoom in and see what's there in the West River House and Senate races.






Don't know what District you're in? Check out this pdf map of the county. Your tax dollars at work!


A few races I'm looking forward to:

• Anthony Vallela is a young Dem and seriously considering running the race for real (he first signed up as a placeholder but he's seeing how important it is having good candidates like him running!
  
• Elizabeth Kraus (Munro???) v J.P. Duniphan in 33. How long do you think it will be before this one gets ugly? A traditional versus "new" "liberty" Republican race.
  
• Bruce Rampelberg, well-known volunteer in the "save Ellsworth" effort, is running against a virtual unknown in a Republican primary. What's that about?
  
• Sen. Stan Adelstein is running again, and so are our two appointed Representatives, who if the past is any guide, will have no problem being re-elected because of the solid "vote-R" majority in 32 which was very craftily gerrymandered (with the rest of West River) in 2002. Oh well.
  

SIX DAYS IN MARCH

The SDDP reminds us that the clock is running out for the 2010 primary election...:

March 30 is the deadline for petitions for:

- SD Legislature
- SD Statewide Races (Turns out our at-large Rep may have a primary challenger: Dr Kevin Weiland! -- is already national news.)
- Delegates for State Convention

More details at the South Dakota Sec of State site.

UPDATE: oh boy oh boy, Elizabeth Kraus (is she no longer Munro?) has her hat in the ring already.

Another Open Letter (regarding 1293)

Sounds like, sadly, another number will become part of our vocabulary.... My dear spouse wrote this letter today to State Sen. Ryan Maher, (D-Isabel) co-sponsor of the abortion bill, just brought forward today (HB1293). This new one, although it has exceptions (ugly condescending ones, but they are exceptions) is in some ways is more devaluing, disrespectful, and condescending to women than HB1215 was last year. The language used is quite telling--see the excellent summary and analysis provided over at CHAD. I'm trying to find the strength to saddle up and ride--hopefully cooler heads will prevail in Pierre and the smart folks there will find of a way to keep this from becoming law.

Dear Senator,

I am so disheartened to see that you are on the list of sponsors for this bill. I know that you are "pro-life," and I respect that, because I, too, am adamantly "pro-life" as well. Abortion is a painful reality in today's society, a decision that is not usually come to lightly. Many of us who believe in choice also believe in protecting life, and also know that legislating and imposing morality simply does not solve the problem of abortion. It is a problem rooted in deeper issues, and as a Democrat, I would have hoped that you would understand that. Once again, the restrictions in this bill will not address these issues, and they will certainly not reduce the number of abortions performed in South Dakota. If this bill is passed and eventually challenges Roe V. Wade, as it is certain to do, it will only strengthen the Supreme Court's decision, rather than address the issues that contribute to the reasons women and children seek to have abortions in the first place.

I know that you follow your heart and your convictions, and I have met you and know that yours is a kind spirit. Please, I urge you, withdraw your name from this bill. Do you really want your name associated with the likes of Van Etten, Hunt, and Howie? I know that you are different from them. I know that your ideals and values are not in line with theirs. And I know that you believe there is a better way. You were not elected to be a crusader on this issue, and you do the state of South Dakota and your constituents a disservice by acting as such.

Most sincerely,

Beth Wojahn
Rapid City

p.s. I encourage you to read a piece written by my mother. She is an ordained pastor, and she wrote this during the election in response to the question, "Can one be pro-life and pro-choice at the same time?" Not only is my mother an eloquent writer, she is wise, and has seen the suffering of many. Please consider her words prayerfully.
http://rr57701.blogspot.com/2006/11/pro-life-and-pro-choice.html