Forget Todd Epp’s calm poo-pooing of Democratic hype; Kristi Noem says she’s behind Billie Sutton:
A former legislator who has never lost a race, Noem said this year’s election cycle is a “totally different environment. And Republicans have not been as active as we need to be. So 2018 is a big deal. It really is.”
She called on the party faithful at the well-attended luncheon to step forward one more time to help her campaign by making phone calls and displaying yard signs. “We’ve got an uphill battle,” she said. “I’m going to need your help.”
…“We’re not used to these kinds of races,” Noem said. “Usually at this time the Republican candidate maybe would be up by 10 or 15 points…” [Roger Larsen, “Noem Speaks at GOP Luncheon,” Huron Plainsman, 2018.10.09].
So as not to harsh Roger Larsen’s photo-copyright mellow, please click on the Plainsman link. Please look at Larsen’s photo of Kristi. The Republican candidate looks nervous.
What’s she nervous about? She blames her buddy Donald for sandbagging her race with his “devastating” trade wars:
“…But we’re in a totally different environment. We’ve got trade wars doing on, we’ve got a national environment that’s definitely impacting us here in South Dakota.”
…“He decided to go to war to get us more fair agreements; the problem we have is that he did it after four years of depressed prices already,” she said.
“So we already had farm income cut in half because of low commodity prices and then to go into this trade war at this time is pretty devastating,” Noem said [Larsen, 2018.10.09].
Noem also told the Beadle County Republicans that she’s nervous about Sutton’s (Larsen’s words) “powerful personal story.”
Billie doesn’t look nervous. He doesn’t sound nervous telling that personal story. He sounds like the same fighter he’s always been, ready to overcome long odds and do good for others:
Today marks 11 years since my life was completely changed. I had my life all planned out, but sometimes God has other plans. I’m grateful for all the people who helped me rise to the occasion & face the challenges I was dealt. I’ll bring that same perseverance to SD as Governor. pic.twitter.com/IwKEjA4Ons
— Billie Sutton (@billiehsutton) October 5, 2018
Evidently Kristi Noem didn’t expect she’d have to work to win this election…. rather like she didn’t expect to have to work at her job in Washington for the last eight years. Noem’s lack of work was one of the main reasons the Cook Political Report upgraded South Dakota’s gubernatorial race from Likely Republican to Toss-Up. Noem is now endorsing what some said was an outlier assessment based on one thin internal poll: the Republican candidate for Governor in South Dakota faces an “uphill battle” against the Democratic candidate.
I attended the Dakota Days parade in Vermillion Saturday. Billie had a strong number of volunteers, all jubilantly waving signs, smiling and interacting with the crowd. Kristi had a crew walk the parade route with signs and such as she jogged along, stopping to shake hands now and then. They all looked like they were in a funeral march or something. I talked with a friend later that day who remarked it was as if Kristi and company sucked all the air out of the parade as they walked by. If the Noem crew doesn’t know their candidate is in trouble, they sure ACT like they know. Maybe they can sense it.
Kristi is also fighting against the obvious: South Dakota’s moribund economy under GOP stewardship for the last 8 years is waking voters up to the fact that a change will do us good. Billie’s South Dakotan-ness transcends his party affiliation. Subjectivity conceded, I’m impressed by how popular he is among many of the hardcore Republicans I know.
The comments below the article do not bode well for Noem either. She does not sound or look like a winner.
Good eye, Debbo: those comments match Dave’s observation.
And why should people be excited about Noem? She’s the same old same old, which, as John points out, means more economic stagnation. What economic ideas will Kristi take from the party machine that Daugaard and Rounds didn’t? How differently will her GOP puppetmasters govern from the status quo? None and not at all.
I haven’t been a Republican for a good while now, but I used to be one. Here are the issues as summarized in the mind of ME:
This vote isn’t about trade wars or the prices of agriculture. There’s nothing Billie Sutton or Kristi Noem could do about any of that. Rather, a vote for Kristi Noem is a vote for more of the same. That’s what she’s pretty much promised. That’s not going to combat corruption. Plus, it seemed like she was lazy and ineffective as a representative.
Meanwhile, a vote in favor of Billie Sutton would be a vote for someone different. He could realistically serve as some kind of a check and a balance to keep the rest of our state government honest and to hold them accountable. Normally it would be hard for my conscience to vote Democratic because I believe that society should try to protect the unborn. However, in this case, because Sutton is pro-life, that particular issue has disappeared. So I don’t have to fight my conscience anymore.
Even if by some miracle Sutton could win, though based upon voter registration that isn’t possible, the state would still be controlled by the majority republican party so, all the hollering about whatever issue is on your mind doesn’t matter. Debbo’s “observations” about anything South Dakota don’t mater either as she is not part of our culture or state so she doesn’t understand our lives and views.
Wouldn’t Sutton have veto power? The legislature would have to work with him. So he at least could be SOME kind of a check and a balance.
OldSomethingsomethingLakota would pitch a fit if a Dem won. It would provide empirical evidence that the bloviating troll is full of beans.
She won the primary because the other guy goofed. Billie is not going to be that easy.
Contrary to OS’s fear of, and antipathy toward, the many people he deems unworthy merely due to where they reside, we all would be wise to respect and value Debbo’s comments. They reflect her experience, knowledge, and consistently offer high quality constructive positive input on the topics addressed, including SD politics.
Roger, it’s not about “easy”. It’s about party membership. The republicans have a 30% advantage over the democrats in South Dakota. The margin has never been that large in our state’s history. There has never been a political victory of that magnitude, ever. . . anywhere.
Sutton is a nice guy. Sutton could have run as a republican and could have won. He cannot win as a democrat in South Dakota.
bear do you live in South Dakota?
Why is she running an old campaign ad? Doesn’t she have enough money for new ones, or did this old one work well in the past with internal track polling, so she thought she would try it again?
I have mix feelings about that ad and why she is running it. She is either trying to immediately take advantage of a possible lull in Sutton’s rise, or else she is just throwing things at the wall in hope that something sticks.
But either way, it is a classic GOP tactic to throw the kids out front…..Because we all know that having cute kids is a prerequisite to being a good governor, right?….. ;-). (Dusty will you need to use your sons too?…. and where’s the elevator?….. I miss your “Willy Wonka” alter ego).
OS, Debbo’s comments about Noem and Sutton are timely and relevant to this thread. Your attempt to change the topic from Sutton’s lead over Noem with your fake (we had that discussion long ago) inquiry about where I reside is not relevant.
Old Sarg, what’s the matter honey, are you lonely? We know you’re a republican and proud of it. But it’s time to move on, you’re not going to change our views, sweetie.
We like being Democrats. We know we’re the underdogs in South Dakota, but we’re darn proud underdogs and if you like us as entertainment then keep at it, hun.
isn’t Cory’s blog much more fun than out yonder at the boring War Toilet?
Russian asks if someone lives in South Dakota is like asking him if Moscow is still the capital of his country. What a trolldog working it for his paytroll.
Billie Sutton will address mental health when he becomes governor, which is something Republicans are deathly afraid of. Rapid City Attorney Al Scovel writes about why we have so many suicides in our state and why there is no one accountable. Republican legislators could have worked to solve this when the ACA was enacted by Medicaid Expansion for starters. Heartless to the needs of our vulnerable that is the Republican way because it sure is not about the money in this case, as the state would be getting a bargain.
“My paralegal Tina Wildberger and myself were the only two West River representatives who attended the June 28 Summer Study Hearing on State Mental Health issues. It astonished me when the chairperson made no presentation about the mental health crisis in our state and the committee offered no discussion about it. It was disappointing to witness the great effort to whitewash the issues of our broken mental health system.
We had traveled 300-miles and spent an entire day to attend the hearing, and I was advised I had 10 minutes to address the group. Wow. The chairperson did not want to deal with the issues and committee members were not allowed to ask me questions.”
Rapid City Journal 10/10/2018
Billie Sutton, bring out the healthcare sledgehammer, your state needs you to be our leader. Look what we are dealing with and why. We must do something for those who seek mental health remedies besides locking them up.
“I informed the committee of the facts:
• In May, 72 unfilled positions existed at the Yankton state hospital.
• The hospital has had four administrators appointed in less than a year.
• Anne White, 37, asked to go to a hospital emergency department at Yankton. Her request was ignored and she died shortly thereafter.
• The federal government investigated the state hospital’s protocol and threatened to pull Medicaid funding.
• The state hospital has not complied with court orders ordering evaluations to determine whether a defendant is competent to stand trial and assist in their defense. These court orders have simply been ignored.
• Our community experienced 78 suicides and Pennington County 205 suicides in 2017.
• Each week, two buses with mentally ill people leave our sheriff’s office for a 350-mile trip to Yankton with their feet shackled to the floor. They will return to Rapid City with bags full of pills, but no follow-up will be provided.
• South Dakota is one of six states that allows mentally ill people to be put in jail.
My presentation was the only information presented on the state’s broken system.
The Chair stated that their study would not include a workers compensation statute that states before you can file a workers compensation claim, there first must be a physical injury. This is highly prejudicial for mentally ill people because it prevents them from seeking compensation for injury for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Obviously, indications are that this committee is going to be titular at best, secreting facts, no courage and determined to do nothing. I wonder who gave the chairperson her marching orders? We all should be anxious to read the committee’s report, assessment and recommendations to help West River.” Rapid City Journal 10/10/2018
Sounds like out town got the exact same speech. She dressed up for Huron, changed clothes for us commoners, but as mentioned before the demeanor was off.
I felt like all of us were at the dentist office waiting to be called for our root canals
Am I the only person who lives in South Dakota on this site?
Seriously, between Debbo searching for companionship, barecreek praying someone would think he’s an intellectual and jerry disguising himself as mike from iwacko I’m thinking the population of South Dakota consist of two people. Cory and me.
Cory lets go get a beer. These outta state folks are freaking me out.
OS, I live here. There are many wonderful people here. You’re not one of them. Don’t hide your ignorance behind the out of state card.
Additional rural mental health funding is something badly needed in South Dakota, one of the highest ranking states in numbers of suicides. We know Billy Sutton Will take mental health funding seriously.
Noem won’t and in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s cut. Pubs like to do mean things like that.
I think OldSarg has a point with this: “Sutton could have run as a republican and could have won.”
I spent most of my life in South Dakota, except for 5 years of college and graduate school, and the last 17 years, when I decided I had to leave South Dakota for higher pay and a chance at a decent retirement. Before that I was very active on issues in South Dakota, lobbied in the legislature, brought forth several state and local initiatives, was on the RC school board, participated on several Governor and Mayor appointed task forces/committees, and volunteered on various campaigns in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City. I guess I’m “out-of-state,” but I think my experience gives me some credibility when I comment on some things related to South Dakota. I can’t pretend to know much about Noem or Sutton, since I left South Dakota before they became active in politics. But I do know something about SD politics.
OS is right that party label has a huge impact on many voters. I have to admit in my own voting history, I’ve gone from a ticket splitter to voting exclusively for Democrats. There used to be Republicans who I could proudly vote for. They might not have agreed with me on everything, but they were willing to be open minded and fact-based. That really was number one on my priority list. As the Republican Party became more the party of hate and bullying, of closed minded, stupid people, of monied special interests, I have had to reassess my voting strategy. And I suppose the haters, the stupid people and the special interests have undergone a similar transformation in the opposite direction.
But I found the partisan split in South Dakota could disappear on issues. One issue that most people in South Dakota can agree on is the importance of water, its quality and quantity. Another issue is the belief that “the people rule.” Another issue is fair play and open government. Another is to reduce corruption. Now political leaders don’t necessarily always reflect those issues the way the people in both parties want. And if you string enough of those issues together and the political class and the elite don’t respond correctly, you could be in for a surprise.
Another thing. In South Dakota there were always Democrats who were registered as Republicans. Partly that was due to peer pressure or threat of economic boycott in certain parts of the state. I’m sure that hasn’t gotten any better since I left. OldSarg needs to know that maybe as much as a third of that Republican registration advantage is extremely soft.
OldSarg’s admission that Sutton could win if he had an R behind his name is something that voters need to deal with. OS seems to be saying that it doesn’t matter what you stand for, it’s whether you take money from their elitists and vote the way those elitists tell you. I think he’s right most of the time. That is certainly the history over the last 40 years. But in times like these, with some corruption scandal popping up every year or two, and with Sutton having a plan to address it, I think the times are a’changin’.
Understand, I like Sutton. I like his history, his presentation and his family. The fatc he ran as a democrat has ruined his chance of winning. That is just a numerical fact. Even it was a third of declared republicans voted democrats that cannot overcome a 30% lead. It is called “math”. Math does not lie. Ask Cory.
I don’t drink beer, OS. And your comments continue to dig for personal fights while ignoring the facts presented: Kristi Noem herself is endorsing Billie Sutton’s claim that he is ahead. You aren’t just saying the opposite of the Democrats you vilify; you are now contradicting your own candidate, Kristi Noem.
So take a break from your jerk act, OS, and answer this interesting question: why would Noem say she is behind Sutton?
He is going to win.
I’m not a politician Cory, I assume For the same reason you would Cory. Am I right?
OS, thank you for attempting to answer the pertinent question.
You’re engaged in political discourse, so you are a politician, just like everyone else here.
“Why would Noem say she is behind Sutton?” OS appears to be saying that she would say that for the same reason I say that. I’m not sure what that means. I’m saying Noem is behind because multiple pieces of evidence suggest it is true. That—obviously, I should think, by now—is the main reason I say everything you see posted on this blog. If OS means what he is saying, then he is agreeing with me that Noem believes Sutton’s lead is real. He is agreeing with me that the Republican candidate herself is saying the opposite of OS’s standard distraction line, in which he dismisses any pro-Democrat/anti-Republican argument that he can’t refute with logic or evidence (and that’s most of them) by saying, It doesn’t matter; Democrats don’t have a chance.
Of course, that assumes that Noem says things because they are true, to which assumption there is voluminous counterevidence. I am willing to entertain the hypothesis that Noem is conceding that Sutton is ahead in order to create a false narrative and rouse her base from complacency by playing the underdog: The Democrats are ahead! They’ve got big out-of-state support! We’re under attack! Activate your false Christian persecution complex and vote!
Or maybe she has such a case of the ouchies over having to work hard against Sutton that she’s telling herself she’s climbing uphill to make herself feel good.
OldSarge, I am disappointed in your view of we (yes WE – plural inclusive) SD voters. Is it really your premise that issues do not matter – only party affiliation – only tribalism determines elections? All your comments seem to boil down to that view. Rep. Noem can coast, and Sen. Sutton can resonate with issues dear to SD, but none of that matters?
To me that sounds like advocacy on your part – you want candidates fortunes to be determined not by the person they are or the issues they stand for but SOLELY by their party registration.
In my perfect world there would be no political parties; in your perfect world there would be nothing but.
o, you nailed it.
o, not at all. Issues do matter and that is the issue. The democrats have turned their party into a party of hate and attacks. Each of you prove that with every post. “Consideration” of other opinions, open dialogue, discussion is gone. Look at the news, the protests, that verbal attacks perpetrated by the democrats. Look at what they did at the SCOTUS hearings, Portland, BLM on and on. The democrats are no longer a party but instead just a mob of people that try to bully others. You have turned off more that just the republicans. Yo have turned off America. Your party weaponized the government to spy on opponents. These are facts. You are not nice people and nice people don’t like your behavior. I know, I know, I know you have your reasons but your reasons don’t matter anymore. When you constantly are being abusive you turn people away. There is no arguing, discussion or any real conversations. The simple fact there are two parties just gives one of two choices to those who are turned off by your actions and most civil people do not like being abused and that is what this is. You are abusing others to win an argument. You can cry about it all you want but that’s the way it is. It is normal behavior for people to shun nasty people. I’m just a messenger here that doesn’t take bullying by walking away. Do you understand? I am not attacking you I am just telling you what a gigantic mistake you are making.
OldSarge, you say issues matter then got full-tilt back into tribalism and generalization (most not accurate) of the Democrats.
1) I identify as a Democrat (at least mores than a Republican), where have I done the things you criticize?
2) The actions of weaponizing the government and being a mob is true of BOTH political parties, not only Democrat (or Republican). The GOP has made it an art form. Take for example what “they” did at the most recent SCOTUS hearing – the Republicans brought a partisan nominee to a committee for which they have the votes to push through no matter qualification or objection. Even the investigation was limited by the GOP to the point of being ineffectual, thus allowing a nominee to be pushed through (the actual definition of bullying: bullying only can happen by the party in power). The GOP weaponizes government by using new rules to disenfranchise the in society who may more likely back the other tribe. The President uses the bully pulpit to spread misinformation and out right lies about political opponents an policy. You cannot make the claim that since the GOP has taken over all three branches of the government, the government has become LESS weaponized, or brutal, or tribal. One peek over at the Dakota War College (or any other GOP blog) or Fox News does now show a GOP environment of thoughtful tolerance of others.
Physician, heal thy self.
Cory – I am also stunned that a candidate with Noem’s experience would admit to a public meeting with the media in attendance that she’s underwater at a stage in the campaign when a Republican would normally be walking away with the race. It has to be deflating to her supporters when she should be revving them up. Also, as you displayed above, her remarks about the damage done by Trump’s tariffs reveals more about Trump’s incompetence and her failure to use her voice in Congress to stop the damage to our state’s economy. Her white-wash is too watered down.
I don’t what’s going on in Noem’s mind. Her campaign staff is made up of capable veterans. But she seems to be the source of their dilemma. Lost … with no direction home.
“Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime,
Didn’t you?
People’d call, say ‘Beware doll, you’re bound to fall’
You thought they were all kiddin’ you.
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin’ out
Now you don’t walk so proud
Now you don’t talk so loud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.”
“tribalism”? I don’t even identify as a republican most days but I do have free thought and the ability to judge based upon what I observe and learn. Most of you on this site don’t even understand why our government is organized the way it is yet you yell for no electoral college, more and more laws to cover more and more things there are already laws for. There is no rationality for which direction you guys are running post to post. This trashing Noem as a way of winning, arguing about South Dakota when you don’t live here, lapping at the heels of Sutton only because he hangs himself under the democrat label and verbally accosting anyone that questions anything you guys do is freaking weird. It is like a mental disease spreading through one party, or at least one blog site. Look, you can believe anything you want. I don’t care but the nasty attacks have got to end or we all would have played a part in destroying our own home. Grow up.
OldSarge, sorry, were you taking to me?
“The problem with Billy is his way of thinking.” -Kristi Noem.
You mean being serious aboutfighting corruption, Kristi?
Kristi going for the fear strategy again and sounds desperate.
In The article Cory highlighted, she goes on to say that our way of life inSD could change if South Dakota Elects a liberal.
Kristi and the pubs, always trying to portray Billie as a liberal. Trust me, I know what liberalism is and Billy is very moderate with socially Conservative beliefs such as being pro-life. He is not a liberal, Trust me. Here in the peoples Republic of Minnesota he would be considered a republican.
OS,
Interesting take on the Democrats. What about the Republicans? Are they the epitome of mental health?
Nasty attacks? Please. Republicans in South Dakota are well-known for their last minute mailers with “nasty attacks,” most of which are false. I’m sure they’re about ready to drop them off at the post office as I write this. Republicans showed up at Tom Daschle’s rallies to yell, “Commie Tommy.” Before that they had ads with a target on George McGovern’s back, inviting assassination.
Bringing up Noem’s problems with the truth of her own family history is not “nasty.” She brought it on herself. Her failure to show up for committee and subcommittee meetings is well-known. She could have acted differently. Her ditching the Agriculture Committee was probably not a great selling point to the ag sector. She could put her constituents first, rather than the billionaires who wanted a false sob story to gut the estate tax.
Still, it did take guts for Noem to stand up to the party structure and the elites when the borehole came calling in Spink County. I think the mistake she has made in the campaign is hugging too close to the elites and the political apparatchiks rather than carving out a more independent path, like a Janklow or a Pressler.
Russian, when you get paid by Russian interests “I don’t even identify as a republican most days”, is not a good way to ask for a raise on your paytroll. Capitalism is not your strong suit, as you note.
Donald, I guess we will see in just a few short days. Noem – Sutton, no real difference as it will still be a republican controlled state.
Odds are it will be Noem no matter who attacks who. As I I have said previously, a 30% advantage is too much of a wall to get over.
Donald, make note of jerry’s post above. Not that I consider it an attack so much as his story has gotten really old. You are boring jerry.
OldSarge: “As I I have said previously, a 30% advantage is too much of a wall to get over.”
You mean 30% MINUS you. You, as an enlightened GOP member, will not follow the lemmings of partisan tribalism in blind candidate selection. You have praised Sutton and been absolutely silent about the virtues of Noem, so it would be 30% MINUS you.
OldSellingsnakeoil is an ek- spurt on Lakota culture. Or pretended to be back in 2007. Or thought he was. Or……..
O, beware the troll. It is possible he gets paid to discourage liberals from voting.
He has been on the internet arguing from at least 2007 and he hasn’t changed his MO much from then.
mfi, the only thing that may have changed is his paymaster. Now he is full Putin on his paytroll. Tomorrow the Russian bear screams his paytroll check. Always on time for a job well trolled. For Whom the Bell Trolls. for the Russian of course.
Let’s not forget the EB-5 and where NOem was seated during all of this in South Dakota state government. 2007-2010 with her last year as Assistant Majority Leader, no less, fits right into the time line of when the whole EB-5 thingy started to go really off the rails.
Lazy Dirtball Kristi Noem was Vice Chair of the powerful Senate State Affairs while EB-5 and Gear Up were both chin-deep in criminality in plain view, as well as Assistant Majority Leader of the House. A rising star, so they said. Three years later, Richard Benda was found dead in a Charles Mix County shelterbelt with a shotgun blast to his abdomen.
Noem’s campaign promise now to bring transparency back to Pierre seems like a sad and desperate joke.
As far as I know, this latest from Joop, has been the only time the South Dakota hierarchy in the legislature has been called out for being in the Joop loop (couldn’t resist). Dirty NOem looks to be in the dirty with the EB-5 as she was aware of its misfits.
Error: Vice Chair of the powerful House State Affairs Committee
Gwaad, 96 Tears, NOem was definitely in the Joop loop. Seems like this could have helped catapult her run against Herseth. When you have the money men knowing you are made, they open the gates.