Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Sam Kephart.A source close to the Sam Kephart for U.S. Senate campaign relates an interesting story about a recent trip Sam took to San Diego.

In San Diego, Sam had a “meet and greet” with 16 local conservative Republicans, including several graduates of Bob Jones University (which makes Oral Roberts University look like Commie Martyr High in comparison).  The meeting took place in a tony university club atop one of San Diego’s skyscrapers looking out on the Pacific—and Mexico.

Amidst tuxedoed servers, Sam hobnobbed with SoCal’s rich.  While he was told he was not a “1000-Percenter”—i.e., a true ultra-Rightwinger, one of Sean Hannity’s “people” pulled him aside and told him “You’re exactly what we’re looking for—you agree with about 85% of our agenda.”  He was told the conservative movement needs people like him to attract more adherents—and win over voters.

I think the message back here in South Dakota is that Republican insiders should not underestimate Sam, his campaign, or the access to fundraising that he has.  And, Republicans politicos might be surprised to find South Dakotans receptive to his fiscally conservative/socially moderate agenda.