So not fair. I tried voting more than once. Sigh.

Todd: I admire your progressiveness and your honesty. And since you've been around South Dakota politics for a while, I need you to help me with something. I'm progressive and also happen to be gay. And I simply won't vote for Tim Johnson if this is true:

http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com/south_dakota_politics/2008/week10/index.html#entry-46712502

I've been attacked for being gay for too long and had my identity used against me. I can't believe that the Democrats are promoting the involvement of Jordan in this campaign. I'm not sure what to do.

well, you know...being a godless liberal who's completely incapable of voting from a sense of moral decency, i just voted for whatever Todd told me was right.

gee, go figure, that was wrong.

Pop: most Democrats out here aren't really Democrats; they're moderate conservatives who are gladly possessed of enough common sense to be offended by the workings of fundamentalists and right-wing extremists. they hate being reminded of that, by the way, but having lived in several places around the country, i can assure you that this is the case. the ones who fall in line with nationally-recognized definitions of progressivism and liberalism are known as left-wing extremists out here, and that's the simple truth.

we ("true" liberals, if you will) are a very small minority here. i don't know what your link is supposed to go to: a scan of that week's worth of posting didn't result in anything "gay"-related, sorry. but that our Democratic leaders here in South Dakota have decidedly conservative leanings when it comes to religion and sexuality is not exactly a big surprise. and consider this: the right wing here is far less open-minded on those issues. withholding your vote from the singular Democratic candidate due to one particular issue--even a major one--doesn't help to evolve the Democratic perspective in this state. what we undertake each time we vote out here will not evoke an immediate change, it is a process. we *must* support them, because the only other option is far, far worse.

the "they did it to us, let's do it to them" thinking of some here makes me sick. those who make such comments need to tune their moral compass. sounds like your typical 5 yr old.

Hi Todd and Commander: yes, I constantly feel gross because I have to hide my identity and pretend I'm not gay. This state feels like 1920 to me and I'm having a very hard time now. I am not going to vote for Johnson based on what he did in 1996 (but I would be so glad if you could convince me otherwise). Sorry Commander, here's what I'm talking about:

Mitchell Daily Republic (9/28/96)

Sen. Larry Pressler Friday accused Rep. Tim Johnson’s campaign of orchestrating the gay issue to damage Pressler’s re-election bid and said Johnson’s press secretary had boasted about that strategy weeks ago.

During a conference call Thursday morning, Pressler told reporters that Johnson’s press secretary, Jim Jordan, had bragged that the Johnson forces “were going to cut my liver out with this smear.”

When contacted about the charge immediately after the conference call, Jordan declined to comment, saying he would release a prepared statement.

He later faxed a denial of Pressler’s charge, calling the allegations “silly.”

Jordan said “no such conversation ever took place. Congressman Johnson has condemned this attack on Senator Pressler and said those responsible should apologize.”

Johnson said Friday afternoon that he supports his press secretary and dismissed Pressler’s charges as a desperate act.

However, Pressler said KELO-TV reporter Vernon Brown had heard Jordan’s remarks, as did one of Pressler’s aides. Pressler also cited a letter to him from a Rapid City woman, Jane Rogers, that said she was told months ago by a member of Johnson’s staff that “some bad stuff was going to come out about you later in the campaign.”

The letter continued: “Johnson’s staff member went on to say that a book had been written which accused you of being gay.”

Todd: are you dodging this issue? Is this a sensitive matter for South Dakota Democrats? Seriously, I really don't know. But I do know I don't like Tim Johnson embracing Jim Jordan.

i don't much care for that either, Pop. but until there exists actual real-live liberals with the 'nads to stand up for something significantly left of vaguely/vainly-concealed moderatism, what else have we got? i don't mean to sound hopeless or helpless, but seriously, what else is at hand? ignorance not only abounds out here, it is willfully gardened and tended daily. it takes generations for society to change what it is. those who recognize the need for change here are at best two generations from actively being able to influence, let alone, affect that change.

Pop - I am a gay male living in Sioux Falls. I understand your concerns about revealing your true identity. I was born and raised in this state but I moved away right after college. I had reservations about moving back. I've been here almost five years and I don't regret it. Most of my co-workers and all of my friends know I'm gay. I'm not afraid to tell someone I'm gay because I'm not afraid of their reaction. If someone has a problem with me it's really not my problem. And I don't allow anyone to make it my problem. If you carry yourself with confidence and take control of your fear, you might find living here a lot easier. :)