Kranz: Herseth Sandlin Likely to Run for Governor in 2010
Argus Leader columnist Dave Kranz was thrown to the Lions today—the Sioux Falls Downtown Lions that is.
He spoke and took questions about this fall’s political races.
The most news worthy thing he said is that he’s pretty much convinced that Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will run for governor in 2010.
Why?
Because she’s told him she wants to run for governor, it’s a family tradition, and she has by no means thrown out consideration of a run in 2010. Add to the fact that she’s going to have a child and Dave thinks it’s very likely Stephanie could be Gov. Stephanie. Plus, he adds that the likely candidates he’s talked with seem to be self-selecting themselves out of contention.
In other news, I asked Dave directly what he thought about Bob Mercer’s theory that Sen. Tim Johnson is to blame for putting his health into contention as an issue. Dave politely but firmly suggested that was just crazy talk (my words, not his) and that was not the intended or unintended consequence of Tim’s decision.
Dave also said that one danger for Sen. Johnson is that if people do hear him at events and think he sounds good, they’ll then wonder why he decided not to debate.
As to Rep. Joel Dykstra, he said that Dykstra is in a tough spot. He has to make a point of Johnson’s health yet he can’t come off looking like a bully about it either. He thinks that voters will go with “who they know” an give Tim the benefit of the doubt this fall.
As to the Presidential race, Dave said Sen. Barack Obama has to change the news coverage—and fast. He thought his appearance with Sen. John McCain at the Saddleback Church forum was a huge mistake and only served to stir up his pro-choice supporters and anger the anti-choice crowd.
Dave says expect Obama to name his Veep at 8 a.m. EDT tomorrow.
As to McCain, he said Gov. Tim Pawlenty may be the choice as the GOP would love to steal a red state like Minnesota and everything seems to be playing to that—Convention in St. Paul, pick Pawlenty.
Dave was even-handed in his comments about the various races, which I know will disappoint bloggers on the Right.
Technorati Tags: Dave Kranz, Argus Leader, 2008 election, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Lions Club, Tim Johnson, Joel Dykstra
Todd Epp
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Reader Comments (7)
"As to McCain, he said Gov. Tim Pawlenty may be the choice as the GOP would love to steal a red state like Minnesota and everything seems to be playing to that—Convention in St. Paul, pick Pawlenty."
Red state like Minnesota? Last I checked, as a registered voter in MN, we're the furthest thing from a red state. There's no way in hell McCain could ever win Minnesota. Pawlenty's win was an accident, and if anything, Minnesotans want him to get on the VP ticket to get him out of our state for good.
I agree with Dave about Obama. Obama has to get tough and get tough fast or else he runs the risk of getting swift boated.
They bring a knife, you bring a gun.
They send one of yours to the hospital, you send one of theirs to the morgue.
Where is Thune on this one lost in D.C something like Dusty in Pierre.
AMS:
I meant "blue" not "red". That McCain and the GOP wanted to steal Minnesota as a red state. Dave was correct in his talk, I miswrote (?) what he said.
My editor took the day off. ;)
Thanks for the catch.
Todd
Obama really does need to get with it. His lead will evaporate in no time if he doesn't do something. He will pick Hillary for VP, which will fire up the half of Dems who didn't vote for him in the primaries. And we have already seen that Hillary and Bill can fight bare knuckled. Look for them to beat the crap out of MyCane and whoever he chooses - Quayle Jr.
Stephanie will be tough to beat in a governor's race. Love to see it - long overdue for a party change and housecleaning in Pierre. Once she takes over the governorship, all the dirty little secrets Republicans have been hiding for 30 years will come out and Dems will retake the legislature. Halleluja! Let me hear you say Amen!
amen
Amen Brother Blackguard, amen.