I suspect Barth may drop out, and if NOT I encourage him to do so. There is not enough time and money to go around with Democrats in our state.
I suspect Barth may drop out, and if NOT I encourage him to do so. There is not enough time and money to go around with Democrats in our state.
Why is Varilek running? Johnson must be planning to run for a 4th term, which is a mistake. Herseth is the only Democrat who can run for the Senate in 2014 and win.
The fact that the Johnson forces are allowing Varilek toget into the way of Brendan Johnson’s ambitions can only be explained by Tim Johnson’s plans to run for a 4th term. A strategy, which Brendan cannot fulfill, without
putting his father’s ambitions in jeopardy (two Johnsons
in office could create a “Johnson Fatigue” among voters.)
My speculation is that Rounds will be running for that seat.
Does Varilek have a chance of beating Noem. Maybe. Varilek has advantages and disadvantages, and they are one in the same, him and his wife are Washintonians.
I had to laugh of this description of the SD GOP, it’s my new line about them, “Pretty Thin Gruel”
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20111203/NEWS/312030022/Former-Johnson-aide-will-challenge-Noem?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Home|s
Matt may be a good guy, but that soft spoken, good guy style went out when Dashel was defeated. I would pick him over Barth though.
scott – maybe I sould run. I’ve been told I’m stubborn, abrasive, arrogant, domineering etc. etc. Is that the new popular style? Is it my time?
The DC GOP will definitely pick Noem over Rounds. Noem is the product of her own persona. Rounds would have been a former state senator from Pierre, pushing insurance, if it was not for the Kirby/Barnett “catfight” in the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary race.
On an other note, Varilek cannot beat Noem. It’s like
running Tony Blair against Sarah Palin. In South Dakota,
unfortunately Palin wins.
CL – I would agree, up hill battle.
NOem has done nothing except keep the dust on the farm and raise re-election dollars…….and in this state that is good enough for her to win by 15 points.
I think Matt is a ‘nice guy’ but he is going to have to turn up the heat. I think he is smart enough to go fist-a-cuffs with Noem, but he might have to wear hoop earrings and get a hair cut in Mitchell.
I am afraid the Hatch Act baggage will not go a way for
Matt. His prior association with global warming work
will also be a negative for him in the fall against Noem.
It may win him friends amongst the left, but the ag com-
munity will not be impressed come next fall.
Maybe he needs to come clean on that crap right away, and not let the Noemless camp make hay about it.
DL – Absolutely!
I think that a primary will be the best thing possible for the Democrats. Let’s get a candidate that has been well tested. I have a feeling that Barth is going to pick up more support than expected. After all, how many times have the Democrats put up Varilek-like candidates. His ties to Washington and the fact that he is incredibly well educated don’t resound with South Dakotans. They don’t want a professor to lead they want someone that either looks good or gets them what they want.