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