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Aberdeen Billboards: Democrat Encourages Voting, Republican Breaks with Trump

blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind…

Heidelberger billboard by 2nd St. overpass, Aberdeen, SD.
Vote today! Heidelberger billboard by 2nd St. overpass, Aberdeen, SD.
Novstrup billboard, 4th and Dakota, Aberdeen, SD.
Novstrup billboard, 4th and Dakota, Aberdeen, SD.

(We’ll see who gets the long-haired freaky people‘s vote.)

Al Novstrup pops out of his hole (look at that design again) to declare himself “reasonable and respectful.” Funny that, from the party that nominated Donald Trump for President.

The Arizona Republic, which hadn’t endorsed a Democratic Presidential candidate for 120 years until this week, would agree that “reason” and “respect” aren’t selling points for this year’s GOP:

[Hillary Clinton] does not casually say things that embolden our adversaries and frighten our allies. Her approach to governance is mature, confident and rational.

That cannot be said of her opponent.

Clinton retains her composure under pressure. She’s tough. She doesn’t back down.

Trump responds to criticism with the petulance of verbal spit wads.

…Contrast Clinton’s tenacity and professionalism with Trump, who began his campaign with gross generalities about Mexico and Mexicans as criminals and rapists. These were careless slaps at a valued trading partner and Arizona’s neighbor. They were thoughtless insults about people whose labor and energy enrich our country.

…Trump mocked a reporter’s physical handicap. Picked a fight with a Gold Star family.Insulted POWs. Suggested a Latino judge can’t be fair because of his heritage. Proposed banning Muslim immigration.

Each of those comments show a stunning lack of human decency, empathy and respect. Taken together they reveal a candidate who doesn’t grasp our national ideals [editorial board, “Endorsement: Hillary Clinton Is the Only Choice to Move America Ahead,” Arizona Republic, 2016.09.27].

Al Novstrup has demonstrated some reason in joining me in endorsing Initiated Measure 21. If he means the words he pastes on his billboard, he’ll join me in repudiating the unreasonability and disrespectfulness of his party’s Presidential nominee and endorse the reasonable, respectful Hillary Clinton for President.

15 Comments

  1. Robin Friday 2016-09-28 09:52

    WOW, Cory! Impressive!

  2. Porter Lansing 2016-09-28 11:33

    Reasonable and Respectful sounds like a funeral parlor not the leader needed in Pierre.

  3. Roger Cornelius 2016-09-28 11:41

    Every politician should be Reasonable and Respectful.

  4. Darin Larson 2016-09-28 13:04

    Is there any concern from the citizens that small children will be frightened by these giant faces in the sky? They might want to tighten up their zoning laws. :-)

  5. Don Coyote 2016-09-28 13:31

    cah: Your sign is too busy. Too wordy. Billboards need to be succinct since they are viewed only briefly by a driver who might be distracted by other things like driving. Plus you forgot to state which district you are running for.

    Other than sporting that ridiculous Moe Howard haircut, Novstrup’s sign is a much better billboard.

  6. Porter Lansing 2016-09-28 14:15

    Cory’s sign is far from “wordy”. Twelve words of which four are a web address (which people’s brains don’t even register on unless they intend to search for more content) and two images. Westerners read from left to right which draws the eyes to the candidate’s vertical portrait on the right, framing the message. Compare with the competition which draws the eyes to the image of a “Nixon, five o’clock shadowed” head. That head recalls the deplorable 60’s haircuts Mom made us endure and our time under that cereal bowl. That image alone brings up a feeling of disconnect with modern Aberdeen.

  7. LSC 2016-09-28 14:31

    Cory’s sign is too busy. The “H” with the star jumps out and looks more like something you would see on a community promotion billboard. Using this type of signage gives the impression he is somehow tied to Huron rather than using the letter to remember his name.

    Al’s is much cleaner and easier to read.

    Al wins the billboard contest.

  8. Leo 2016-09-28 14:51

    Cory’s use of his last name initial “H” forming around the boundaries of South Dakota is one of the most brilliant marketing examples I have seen in many years. Incomparable! What is even better is the way that he will represent those without a voice in our State Government. Keep going Cory!

  9. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-09-28 14:53

    So Coyote says the sign is too wordy, then wants more words saying what District I’m running in. Obviously and typically, Coyote is just looking for an excuse to quibble rather than offering a coherent critique.

    I didn’t forget: I think mentioning district is mostly irrelevant. When I say “District 3”, most people look at me blankly. District # conveys little useful info… and the folks who know their district 3 are probably already plugged into the race enough to know who their candidates are.

    My shirts do say “District 3”; my cards and yard signs do not. If anything, the fact that the sign is in District 3 is sufficient to establish where I’m running.

  10. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-09-28 14:55

    Huron?! Holy cow—that’s where my graphic designer originally wanted to put the star! Our biggest argument was over where to place it: more centered for design purposes or more toward the north to mark Aberdeen. :-)

  11. Roger Cornelius 2016-09-28 15:59

    This late in the campaign, voters are likely to know who the candidates are and what party they represent.
    It is doubtful that people drive past the signs critique them, they critique the candidate.
    I happen to like Cory’s sign and wouldn’t change or add a thing.
    In fact, I like his sign so much I’ll be making a campaign contribution in the next few days to help pay for it. Care to join me?

  12. Roger Cornelius 2016-09-28 16:05

    The Arizona Republic endorsement for Hillary coming on the heels of the Cincinnati Enquirer is powerful. Two major long established GOP newspapers switching parties is big news.
    The reasons for their endorsements are equally as powerful, they are straight forward and responsible.
    I do wonder if the Arizona Republic did their endorsement based on Trump taking a swing at their long time Senator McCain.

  13. grudznick 2016-09-28 16:06

    Mr. Coyote, I think Mr. Novstrup’s haircut is really swell and kind of his trademark, as is Mr. H’s.

    Otherwise billboards are just annoying eye clutter and visual litter. They should be initiated out of existence.

  14. Moses11 2016-09-28 17:14

    Where is that third generation american?I bet if you ran that you would get every vote
    .

  15. Nick Nemec 2016-09-29 14:21

    The district # is unneeded information. I consider myself relatively tuned in politically and after redistricting and number changes have to rack my brain to remember what district I’m in. People get a ballot and vote for one of the people on it, they have no need to remember the district #.

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