KELOLAND reports today that the AVERAGE price of gas in SD is $3.50/gallon.

• Read: Cutting Back Because Of Gas Prices
  

This has been a favorite theme of SD Watch since the 2004 election, when John Thune blamed Sen. Tom Daschle for high gasoline prices, when gas was a whopping $1.60/gallon. Here’s a classic from SDW in 2005 on the issue:

• Read: The High Cost of the Bush Administration and John Thune Just Got Higher

So, under Thunian logic, if Daschle allowing a few cents increase in gasoline prices was his “fault” during Tom’s watch, then John must be liable for the doubling-plus of gas prices since 2005 when he took office.

Fair’s fair. I’m just sayin’.

Photo: Ah, the good old days of under $3/gallon gasoline. Photo taken Tuesday, August 16, 2005, at the now defunct Harrisburg, SD Food N Fuel.

Technorati Tags: John Thune, Tom Daschle, gasoline prices, fuel prices, 2004 election, George W. Bush

South Dakota Politics notes that The Hill, a real publication, is reviewing John Thune propagandist/hagiographer Jon Lauck’s non-Argus reviewed book.  (HT SD War College.)

An excerpt of an excerpt:

Lauck’s Book Reviewed by The Hill

Jon Lauck’s Daschle Vs. Thune: The Anatomy of a High Plains Senate Race is reviewed in today’s Capitol Hill newspaper, The Hill.  Excerpt:

Lauck is clearly willing to endure howls of outrage from fellow academics by purporting to write an unbiased book when he obviously favors one of the candidates. Lauck will not endear himself to historians by quoting conservative historian Leo Ribuffo that the “tendency toward glib moralizing from a left liberal or radical perspective has affected American historical writing for the worse.” … .

Technorati Tags: bullshit, propaganda, John Thune, Jon Lauck

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I noticed that Sibby wrote on his online screed yesterday that he is again crowing about defeating Sen. Tom Daschle—singlehandedly!—in 2004.

Go find the link yourself.  Here’s the excerpt:

The 2004 Senate race taught me that the little guys can stand up to agiant of big government and win. 2006 shows us when a Party turns itsback on the little guys…in South Dakota that little guys was thepre-born. What kind of Party will the SD GOP be in 2008? One thatwelcomes citizen activists, or one that caters to the narrow interestof partisan politics?

I doubt even Thune propagandist/hagiographer Jon Lauck thinks that he single handedly blogged Johnny to victory in ‘04.  Why did Daschle lose?

1. Thune ran an excellent, focused campaign.
2. Daschle ran like he was running against Char Haar and not a tough, savvy opponent.
3. Thune’s TV ads were outstanding, innovative, and memorable.
   
4. Daschle’s TV ads were the best of 1992.
5. Thune’s attacks, while false, were effective.
6. Daschle never effectively countered Thune’s false but effective attacks.
7. Daschle suffered from McGovernitis—he’d gotten “too big for his britches” and South Dakotans hate fellow successful South Dakotans who play on a national stage. 
   
8. While it’s hard to believe now, President For Life Bush was popular in 2004 and that rubbed off on Thune.
   

Did Lauck and Sibby sitting in their pajamas in their basements, pecking away on their keyboards defeat Tom Daschle?  Hardly.  If anyone should get the “kudos” it is Thune campaign manager Dick Wadhams for running an evil but masterful campaign.  Were the bloggers a part of that?  Yes, but a very, very small part.  That’s not why Thune decisively defeated Daschle.  But Steve, keep telling yourself that. 

Maybe I’ll write a book about it.

Photo: Former Thune campaign manager Dick Wadhams.  I suppose Sibby will take out after Dick like he has PP for stealing all his thunder about being the guy who actually made Daschle’s defeat possible.

Technorati Tags: John Thune, Tom Daschle, Dick Wadhams, 2004 Election, 2004 U.S. Senate Races, Thune v. Daschle, South Dakota, U.S. Senate. George W. Bush, crazy talk

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My buddy Kevin Woster at the Rapid City Journal did a review on Jon Lauck’s book on the 2004 Thune/Daschle Senate raced called Thune vs. Daschle: Anatomy of a High-Plains Senate Race.

Kevin did what a reviewer is supposed to do: talk about the quality of the book, the writing, its strengths, weaknesses, and bias of its author.

Kevin is one of the few “lucky” people in America to apparently receive a review copy.  I’m sure mine must be in the mail.

What is so funny is that in the comments, many commentators, both on the Left and Right, proceed to tell Kevin he is wrong about a book they haven’t read yet.

I doubt I’ll read the book.  I know and like Jon Lauck, but his biases as a Thune blogger during the election and now, a top Thune advisor, will get in the way of what he has to say, even if he is right on some points.  Also, I read all day for a living and reading some tome on how Tom Daschle lost his Senate seat from the point of view of a largely anonymous blogger is frankly not my idea of a good time. 

On the other hand, I’m not going to say the book is completely wrong, without contribution to the history of that race, or without merit without having read it first.  As comedian Steve Martin used to sing in one of his silly little ditties, “Criticize things you don’t know about” comes to mind after reading the comments on The Mount.

My only advice is this: Before you praise or condemn the book, read it.  In the meantime, I’m waiting for the movie adaptation.

[where: 57701] 

tom daschle

"Thunewatch.com"has two excellent stories worthy of your attention tonight.

The first deals with "Plan 9 from Herseth," or as they call it, the "Urban Legend."

The other looks at Ellsworth AFB's possible slim chances in surviving the next round of military base closings.

 

My colleague Clean Cut Kid has an excellent analysis of "Plan 9 from Herseth." Read it and learn.

My new best friend, "Charley House,"has spurred me to greater efforts.

I have cast my bread upon the stormy political waters and am awaiting word from well-placed Democrat sources about the AVT's Herseth story.  Whether my contacts respond or not, I have no control.  But I have asked. When or if I hear back, I'll let you know.

Since the Herseth Trojan Horse story ("Plan 9 from Herseth" hence forth) is now the battle of the unnamed sources, I have one more to add to the fray. 

This comment comes from South Dakotan who is an old hand inside the Beltway (D.C., not Sioux Falls):

Argus v. Thune reports today that Rep. Stephanie Herseth gave personal approval to the alleged Trojan Horse ploy to mask Thune/Herseth voters as Daschle/Herseth voters in the GOTV data base.

An excerpt:

AVT sources say Cari needed the approval of the sitting Congresswoman to get the cover he would need if his plan did not stay a secret. Herseth knew the same Daschle SD operatives that submarined her in 2002 would do it again. The choice was clear.

Herseth gave the approval to Cari to initiate the complicated "masking" program. Soon Thune/Herseth voters were digitally transforming into Daschle/Herseth voters. Daschle operatives went into election day confident they had enough Daschle voters - unbeknownst to them they were including Thune voters in this total.

AVT also stands firm on not revealing their sources or the editors/publishers of AVT revealing their true identities.  I'm going to stop trying to ride that horse.  They're not going to give it up.

What I am about to suggest will probably anger some of my fellow Democrats, but here goes. 

I believe Stephanie should get out in front of these allegations and issue a statement denying them.  I think this would help clear the air.  It would quell this story.  Otherwise, it will follow her around like a mangy dog. It will do further harm to an already weakened S.D. Democratic Party due to Sen. Tom Daschle's defeat. 

Sen. John Thune took this route with the Jeff Gannon story.  While I don't think the state press pressed him hard enough, guess what?  He spoke on this issue and it has largely gone away.  He kept a two week story from turning into a two month or two year story. 

My advice: Stephanie, deal with this now while it is a blogger story and not in the MSM, then move on.

 

I realize this is a bit repetitive since other blogs have linked to this, but I think Jon Lauck at SDPolitics (who are on the other side of the political fence) has a good analysis of why Rep. Stephanie Herseth won in a year when Sen. Tom Daschle did not.

An excerpt:

Who knows, but Herseth clearly hurt Daschle overall. That Argus poll in June showed that 25% of voters were "less likely" to vote for Daschle because Herseth was elected. Also, more importantly, she kept trying to run as a Republican--voting for the gay marriage amendment, supporting the war, supporting the constitutional amendment banning flag burning, getting an "A" from the NRA and advertising it (Daschle got an "F" from them)--and therefore made Daschle look more liberal, hurting his campaign, which several disapointed Daschle supporters have conceded.

Though this comes from a partisan Republican, I can't say I disagree with the analysis.  Stephanie ran "Right" and won.  Tom campaigned as he had in years past and lost.  I think these factors as noted by Lauck more likely contributed to a Herseth victory than did a virtual Trojan Horse.

On another note, some of you are enjoying beating the crap out of me on this, but I'm not the one making the rather fantastic allegations that Herseth snuck a virus into the Daschle campaign computers and this was sanctioned by the DCCC.  For example, what if I said that Diedrich snuck a virus into Thune's computers to hide Daschle/Diedrich voters?  I think people would want some proof before they believed it. 

Argus v. Thune has been a good source of information in its brief history and I have no personal vendetta with the owner, whomever they may be.  (In fact, quite the opposite, it is a very professional and cordial relationship.) 

I disagree with AVT when they say that Lauck's story shows that Herseth had "motive."  She had a motive to win.  I'm not sure Lauck is saying that she had a motive to "cheat."  My interpretation of Jon's piece is that Herseth was motivated to win and ran an effective campaign in how she positioned herself politically.  Jon, correct me if I'm wrong.

My sources are known to me and reliable.  You can believe them and me or not.  That is what I believe is the difference in my use of sources as compared to AVT's.  Like me or hate me, you have formed an opinion as to my level of reliability, bias, and credibility.  Most of you know my track record as a journalist, lawyer, blogger, and person.  You bring that with you when you read what I write or what any other serious journalist, writer, or blogger writes.  The folks who blogged in favor or Thune and against Daschle during the 2004 election, whatever their other connections, still signed their own names to what they wrote.  They've taken their glories and their lumps.

The problem that I have and apparently Jon Lauck, Ken Blanchard, and well placed Daschlistas also have is that the story seems implausible.  It may well be true, and if so, watch the fireworks in my party.  But the story needs to be considered, questioned, and, frankly, sourced.

If AVT were to reveal him, her, or itself, that might help.  Again, no personal disrespect intended.  Jeff Gannon, even though his name was a nom de plume, reported stuff under his own "name."  He answered his phone and his email.  You could find out about him on the Talon News website while he was working there.  Heck, even I knew how to get a hold of him.  I knew I was dealing with a real person, whatever name he went by.  He wasn't hiding.  I might not like what he did or what he wrote, but he has my respect.

Sibby is right.  If we as bloggers (Left, Right, Whatever) want to be taken seriously, as seriously as our MSM brothers, then people need to know who we are and what, if anything or anyone, is behind us.  Do I judge credibility of a source of information?  Absolutely.  Does the New York Times have more credibility than the National Enquirer?  Absolutely. 

When I'm at trial, is my client's credibility judged?  Yes.  The witnesses?  Yes.  Is mine? Yes.  The other lawyer's?  Yes.  It is another part of how we all evaluate information and the reliability of that information.

Jon Lauck is judged.  Sibby is judged.  I'm judged.  The Argus is judged.  For better or worse, we are known quantities.  AVT would enhance its reputation if it at least revealed who the writers and editors were behind it.  It would make a good blog even better. 

More information on the alleged Herseth/Daschle spoofing from another Daschle campaign source.

According to my second source:

I can assure you there may be an ounce of truth in this, but it is largely farfetched. Did Hersth try to identify Thune/Herseth voters and turn them out. I can guarantee you they did -- it was their job.

On the other hand, this talk about "viruses" and "devious plans" are simply not true. There was no one -- NO ONE -- closer to the ID program than me.

My source adds that the Herseth GOTV efforts was absolutely dwarfed by the Daschle GOTV effort.  The Herseth GOTV effort would have had minimal impact vis-a-vis the Daschle effort.  Further, my source points out, there were going to be ticket splitters no matter what.  Some were going to vote Thune/Herseth.  Just like some were going to vote Daschle/Diedrich.

Again, AVT, with all due respect, show us the goods on this.

Stay tuned.

 

Since Argus v. Thune's shocker saying that Rep. Stephanie Herseth basically put a Trojan Horse into Sen. Tom Daschle's campaign computers last fall to mask Thune/Herseth voters, my email has been burning.

As I previously opined, the story is suspect on a couple of levels. 

First, from a technological point of view and second, from a political misinformation point of view.  I received the following from an anonymous source who was in a position to know at least part of what was going on with the Daschle voter data processing program.

According to my source:

While the ID program was not my particular arena. I can tell you a supercomputer stealth virus didn't happen. What Mr. AVT is doing is trying to reignite/create the rumored acrimony between the Herseth and Daschle camps to hurt her in re-election. This is a purely a political story and the Republican are interested in it to weaken Herseth.

I have a lot of regard for AVT's reporting up to this point.  What AVT needs to do now is reveal this "source."  Otherwise, this story is going to boomerang on the GOP as a Nixonian dirty trick as a clumsy  attempt to hurt the South Dakota Democratic Party and Rep. Herseth through sheer fabrication.

AVT, let's see your cards.

Stay tuned.

If what Argus v. Thune reports is true today, in my opinion, then "Houston, we've got a problem."

In the same breath, let me say, God, I hope it is not true. (Keep reading below to see why I think it probably is not.) 

AVT is reporting that Rep. Stephanie Herseth's campaign "masked" likely Thune/Herseth voters (voters leaning to vote for John Thune for Senate and Herseth for the House).

The S.D. Democratic Party cannot afford the acrimony this would unleash, particularly in light of Sen. Tom Daschle's narrow loss.

An excerpt:

Sources close to [Peter] Cari [head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] say on October 17th, 2004 he placed an emergency call to Herseth. He laid out her two choices. Herseth could let the Daschle team throw out the Thune/Herseth voters and risk a narrow win - or follow a secret plan.

The plan if it worked would ensure a victory, if it was found out she would have the enmity of the Daschle machine forever.

Herseth instructed Cari to initiate a complicated computer subterfuge on the Daschle Voter ID program. Using a cryptic formula developed by a Cari staffer - the Herseth campaign downloaded a "virus" into the South Dakota Democratic voter turnout program that "masked" Thune/Herseth voters as Daschle/Herseth voters.

Frankly, I have some major problems with the scenario.

First, the "virus" implant into the Daschle computers.  I suppose it is possible, but it seems a little like something out of "24" or "Alias."  Wouldn't have one of Daschle's computer gurus detected it?  I'm no programmer, but it seems such a "bug" would take a great deal of development time and would have had to have been in the works for some time. 

Second, why would Cari want to help Herseth at the expense of Daschle?  Certainly, there was great interest in Herseth after she won the special election in June.  Obviously the Party wanted to keep the Janklow seat pick up.  But Daschle was the big prize to preserve for Democrats in both South Dakota and nationally.  Why would even a DCCC bigwig want to throw Daschle under the truck to save Herseth?  I can't imagine any meeting of Democrat honchos where they would approve such a plan.  So that doesn't ring true for me either. 

Third, I have great difficulty believing Stephanie Herseth would stoop to a low tactic like this.  She is a tough gal from a savvy political family, but there is nothing I know of in her background that would lead me to believe she would do such a thing.  I have great difficulty believing she would sell out Daschle to assure her own election.  I believe Stephanie is a person of integrity and loyalty.

If this is false, then AVT needs to come clean, retract, and apologize. AVT has been breaking all sorts of stories lately in its short existence. And yes, it is a Republican blog. So take that all into consideration.

However, if there is even a shred of truth to it, Rep. Herseth needs to explain what was going on and discuss what happened.

Again, I hope this is all just some GOP fantasy meant to knee cap Rep. Herseth as she starts what looks like a long and fruitful political career and service to South Dakota. If not, oh boy.

Jon Lauck, the SDSU professor and attorney who blogged Daschle v. Thune during (and after) the 2004 Senate campaign, asked me for some thoughts and a quote or two about Thune's victory for Jon's possible book on the Daschle/Thune race.  While I know many of my Democratic friends are less than thrilled with Jon, he is a friend of mine and we carry on a civil online and real life conversation about politics.  This is my contribution to Jon's effort. 

The major lie of the Thune 2004 campaign was that his "values" were better than Daschle's, and, by implication, better than the 49%+ of South Dakotans who voted for Daschle. This is polarizing, "big lie" language that was repeated and repeated in the course of Thune's advertising. Thune's "values" apparently included preventing women from controlling their bodies, attacking homosexuals for daring to wish to be treated as human beings, providing the rich with tax cuts, and blindly following the President in an illegal and poorly thought out war in Iraq.

Because of his scorched earth approach on values, he has set the moral bar for himself so high that he has planted the seeds of his own downfall in 2010 or before. He now has no ability to effectively fend off criticism of his past or future personal, professional, or political missteps. The $49%+ of South Dakotans who did not vote for him will give him no quarter if he does.

Jon, thanks for the opportunity to comment and good luck on your book.  The USA and SD are still democracies.  We do need to talk TO each other once in a while, not just AT each other.