S.D. Watch - S.D. Watch

I realize that politics is not for the faint of heart.

But neither is it supposed to be a blood sport full of dirty tricks.

Frankly, what happened to Republicans Don Young and particularly Dick Brown in the District 30 House primary is disgusting. South Dakota legislative politics is not supposed to be played this way.

And I will say up front that one of my groups that I lead--Equality South Dakota PAC, a LGBT rights PAC, endorsed both Don and Dick. At their request, we did not make our endorsement public but we did report our endorsement and contributions to them as required by law in the May pre-primary report to the SD Secretary of State.

Did EqSD PAC's support prompt some of this? No doubt. Both Don and Dick supported our three issues (anti-bullying, hospitalization visitation rights, and employment non-discrimination). Period. We also felt they were excellent individuals and candidates who would serve their district and the state well. In fact, Dick has already done so as a state representative from Sioux Falls for a number of terms.

But the issue is not so much the "gay" issue. It is the fact that Don and Dick got smeared by someone who failed to have a civil conversation with either candidate and actually ask them where they stood on hot-button issues like LGBT rights, abortion, and guns.

In an email to me, Dick says it eloquently:

From my perspective the issue that bothers me most is that there never was a contact or discussion with the opponent postcard of any specific issue. I was never asked what positions I might support or might be in opposition. It was a condemnation of a willingness to discuss and listen to the issues. Before one is held accountable for a point of view or position on a public issue then it might be beneficial to have some idea what position a candidate holds. The postcard seeks no answer. It is a declaratory statement with a question mark. We talk a lot about fairness, due process and individual accountability in South Dakota. Unfortunately this postcard respects none of those principles which have made this country great.

And while some have tried to make Dick's defeat sound like a landslide, it wasn't. He lost by just 82 votes. He won two counties--Custer and Fall River--not exactly the centers of liberalism in South Dakota.

Apparently there was also someone or some group making calls with a masked number spewing misinformation about Don and Dick.

That is dirty pool and may even be a campaign finance violation. Perhaps the Attorney General and Secretary of State could look into it. EqSD PAC and many other groups play by the rules and disclose their contributions and endorsements. Other groups should too. It has a way of making people and groups think twice.

Dick and Don are successful, mature people. I'm sure they have licked their wounds and have moved on from their close defeats.

But the problem with type of scorched earth approach--by either party or any organization--is that it is dishonest and discourages good people from both sides to run for office.

Dick and Don were very close in this election. I hope they don't give up and do try again. And I also hope that next time, their opponents have the balls to come out from under their rocks, into the sunlight of dialog and discussion.

You know, democracy.

Photos: Copies of the post cards sent out against Dick Brown and a letter to the editor that appeared in the Custer Chronicle prior to the primary.

Technorati Tags: LGBT rights, EqSD PAC, Dick Brown, Don Young, District 30, State House, South Dakota, Custer, Fall River, dirty tricks, 2008 election, democracy, 2008 primary