State Rep. Paula Hawks, Democrat from Hartford, worked the Brown County Fair today to promote her campaign to become South Dakota’s next Congresswoman in 2016. She took five minutes to talk to Dakota Free Press about what she plans to do for South Dakota and how Democrats can win in 2016:
Highlights:
- Hawks is banging away at three big groups she and Democrats can and must stand for: students (laboring under student debt at interest rates double what we charge rich corporations), women (still not getting fully fair treatment in the workplace) and seniors (who could stand to get some ACA help with prescription drug costs).
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Among other reasons for Dems to fire up for Hawks: she appears to be enjoying the campaign immensely, even when fielding questions from Libertarian blogger and conservative attack PACker Ken Santema. (Yes, the Brown County Democrats let almost anyone sit in their awesome front porch booth!) Brown County Fair, Aberdeen, South Dakota, 2015.08.15. One big difference she cites between herself and the incumbent, Rep. Kristi Noem: “I will listen… That’s what a representative does: they pay attention to their constituents….”
- Hawks stirs my soul by noting that family farms struggle and young people can’t get into farming “because corporate and big business farming has taken over.” Charlie Johnson, did you hear that? Tell your friends!
- Hawks tells South Dakota Democrats to buck up: “You have to be proud of the fact that you’re a Democrat, somebody who stands up for the people, somebody who stands up for what’s important to the people and not to whoever has the biggest checkbook.” Democrats’ progressive values resonate with people well beyond our party ranks, so we should “Be proud!” of the Democratic brand, says Hawks. “Stand up! Claim it!”
- And Rochelle Hagel! Yeah, Rochelle, we’re talking about you! How about a sister act for the 2016 ballot? Paula for House, Rochelle for Senate… Imagine the possibilities!
This is a good honest video and good honest candidate. Now let us find a good honest Democratic candidate for the US Senate!!
I am excited about meeting Paula, and hope it will be soon.
Winston, I agree—I thought Paula did really well in this impromptu video. I told her I’d ask why she’s running and then wing it from there, and she was game.
Union Co, keep an eye out—I’m sure she’ll be around! Are you coming to the State Fair?
Technical question: The audio is way behind the video. I have to listen without looking or it’s too distracting. The Melissa Mentele video was the same. I’m watching on a Samsung 6 tablet. Any thoughts? Is anyone else having this problem?
I really like her easy, direct and sincere manner. She seems genuine. I especially appreciate her love for core Democratic principles. She is right. That focus on doing what is right for people is a very good thing. In my opinion, supporting the Republican oligarchy is the thing to be ashamed of.
Deb, thanks for suffering through the tech problems to hear Paula’s message! “Genuine” sounds like a synonym for “good, honest” as Winston observed. I think that’s a good sign!
On tech: audio is playing in synch with video on my Mac laptop (Safari browser), my Samsung Galaxy Note tablet (Android YouTube app), and my Kyocera phone (Android YouTube app). Has anyone else had Deb’s problem? Deb, what machine and browser are you watching on?
Well done interview from both participants.
Cory, I’m using a Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Chrome browser. I have a Chromebook. I’ll try it on that.
Mr. H. You should not say young Ms. Hawks “is banging away” but should say something like she is “diligently working on her constituents.” I’m just sayin…
Only a deviant republican would think of that grudz. Sounds like Trumps comments about Megyn Kelly.
This is nice break out video of Paula and I’m looking forward to her really going after Noem, she has a lot of truths to tell about congresswoman and hopefully she’ll tell them all.
She is better looking than Noem,by far. Not just on her exterior,either. Wind noise played heck with my hearing aid in her video, Sounded like gale force winds.
Sorry about the noise, Mike! We had a pretty stiff breeze blowing through the big barn door of the Expo building… and thank goodness! That breeze helped make the Brown County Dems booth the coolest part of the fairgrounds yesterday.
Roger, along with her straightforwardness and her good policy direction, I like the fact that Paula was able to laugh on camera. Even with the breeze, it was a bit steamy in the booth, and she’d been there for four hours at that point shaking hands, handing out her flier, and taking the skunk eye from people who turn their noses up at the Dems sign, and she still sounds like she’s enjoying the campaign in this video.
Of course, that’s just four hours. Now we need to see that last for fourteen months-plus, when Noem and the SDGOP turn their attack machine to 10.
… refreshing
.H. FOR SENATE.
Washington is Broken!
Given the surging popularity of Trump proves that this is a strong and growing belief. Our own John Thune is a leader of this broken system and Kristi has brought zero to the table.
If Kurt and Paula run on that theme they will gain traction across party lines.
Cory, could you remind us why Hawks can’t be on the ballot in two places?
I would be curious to see where Paula stands on a number of issues. They don’t appear to be listed on her website or facebook page yet.
Larry, are you thinking of SDCL 12-6-3, which precludes candidates from running for more than one office unless one of those offices is President or Vice-President (the Thune rule)?
Thank you, Cory: yes.
wow! Wow!!WOW!!!
well done Paula and Corey. thank you
Cory!