Drinking Liberally

Drinking Liberally (Oct 25, 2024)

l3wis October 26, 2024 17Comments

In Politics: Nationally: According to most of the polls, the Presidential race is too close for comfort. According to the New York Times’ latest poll, the Presidential race has become a “dead heat” as Trump has pulled even with Kamala Harris despite the one Billion dollars Harris has spent so far on her campaign. As a Democrat it is very frustrating to see Trump gain momentum despite the scary and outlandish things he says and does. It was pointed out to me today that 40 of the 44 Cabinet members from his previous Administration have refused to endorse him, many publicly expressing their support for Kamala, while his former chief-of-staff , John Kelly, called Trump a Fascist. A strong word and a collective warning to all of us. Yet, Trump continues to gain support. Can anyone explain this to me!

Here is a link to a good and free WEB site to follow the Presidential race for those of you obsessed with its possible outcome.

As for myself, I have regressed to nail biting and drink.

 In Politics: South Dakota: The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) chose to oppose Amendment H (open primaries), apparently lacking confidence in Democratic Party candidates’ ability to come in second in primary contests between two (or more) Republicans and one Democrat.

Voter registration statistics from the South Dakota Secretary of State reinforce the wisdom of the SDDP’s opposition to Amendment H. Although Democrats have reversed their steady decline in registered voters, adding almost 2000 new registrants since Kamala Harris became their Presidential Nominee, Republicans added over 6600 voters to their rolls at the same time. So, despite progress, the SDDP continues to fall further and further behind the GOP. The SDDP’s lack of confidence in its electoral ability and its own relevance appears well placed.

In percentage terms, 51% of voters have chosen the Republican Party and 23% see themselves as Democrats. Only a minority of South Dakotans are buying what the SDDP is selling and, under its current leadership, it appears to be condemned to wander in the political wilderness for another 40 years.

Drinking Liberally Update (Oct 18, 2024)

l3wis October 22, 2024 4Comments

To give you, our faithful readers, a leg up in this week’s contest, here is a peek at one of tonight’s questions:  “Fact or Crap”? Since August 1st, reversing a long-term trend, the South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP)  has added almost 1500 Democrats to the State’s voter roll………Fact!!! It may be a baby step, but at least it’s movement in the right direction in the absolute sense.  Congratulations to Dan Ahlers, the SDDP’s Executive Director, and the SDDP’s leadership.  But, before euphoria sets in, you might want to compare the Democratic increase in registrants to the over 6000 registrants the Republican Party added to the State’s voter roll over the same period of time. 

I have been encouraged by some Democrats to be more positive, so on the positive side, voters may be choosing the Republican party 4 to 1 over the Democratic party when they register to vote but at least Democrats are gaining not losing voters anymore.

In Politics: Nationally: The race for President is too close to give anyone comfort. The very thought that Donald Trump might win makes me ill. 

I have turned to tequila for its beneficial characteristics. 

In Politics: South Dakota: The South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP) finally issued an October press release. It properly honored Senator Tim Johnson, who passed on October 9th, for his service to South Dakota and our Country. Senator Johnson truly was a steady ship on the rough political seas of our times. Selfless, honest  and hardworking seem universal accolades in everyone’s tributes to him. His leadership will be missed. It seems we have lost too many leaders in the last year or so, Jim Abourzek, Harvey Wollman, Jack Billion, Jim Burg, and now Tim Johnson.

Drinking Liberally Update (8/23/24)

l3wis August 26, 2024 8Comments

In Politics: Democratic National Convention ended last night and by all accounts it was a home run, including the acceptance speech of the Democratic Presidential Nominee, Vice-President Kamala Harris. Vice-President Harris. The Convention as a whole painted the picture of a Democratic Party firmly grounded in the mainstream of American life, supporting the rule of law and working for the betterment of every American in contrast to a Republican Party representing the selfish interests of billionaires, their nominee, 34 time convicted felon, Donald Trump, and members of Country Clubs everywhere. As Michelle Obama said on Tuesday night, it is time to “do something”. 

In Politics: In South Dakota: I still wait for signs of a campaign, any campaign by South Dakota Democratic candidates and the South Dakota Democratic Party (SDDP). SDDP leadership was at the Democratic Convention in Chicago and the delegation members had their picture taken here and there.

Hopefully, besides pictures, they will bring back a plan to change the SDDP’s fortunes. Lord knows, as the Chart below demonstrates, the SDDP has been going in the wrong direction for a long time.

And, as if the Chart doesn’t say enough about the current state of the SDDP and its leadership, after candidate resignations, they are contesting only 48 of South Dakota’s legislative seats, the same number as in 2022, a number a few months ago Shane Merrel, SDDP Chair, bragged about increasing to 52 this year as a sign of the SDDP’s progress.

It is time for them to stop talking about what they are going to do and “do something”.