Grassroots S.D., a Sioux Falls based progressive group, has an interesting featured called "The Truth About Mike" (http://grassroots-sd.org/msite/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=1&id=53&Itemid=150) about MIke Rounds. Check it out.

Gov. Mike Rounds "overly cautious?" How about "overly calculating?"Today's Rapid City Journal endorses Mike Rounds for governor, though, interestingly, spends about half the editorial talking about all the good ideas that Jack Billion has.  Hmmm.  Read it here: Journal editorial, 10-29: Mike Rounds for governor

One line in the editorial struck me as just plain dumb: "If we were to look for a fault, we’d say Gov. Rounds is overly cautious, waiting until all the t’s are crossed and the i’s dotted before making decisions."

Overly cautious?  How about incompetent and playing politics for his own gain at the expense of the citizens?  Rounds dithers on the abortion ban--twice.  Rounds can't read the state law on executions.  Rounds sat on his hands during the drought.  Rounds hides behind the Governor's Club, the Governor's Hunt, and secrecy about use of his airplane and economic development.  His family gets special treatment, i.e., passage of the distillation law. 

These aren't the action of an "overly cautious" governor.  These are the calculated and cynical acts of a leader who has smiled his way through acting in his best interests and not the citizens'.

I still back Jack Billion for governor. 

A previous but once again new South Dakota blog has returned--Third Way Donkey--produced by a young, centrist Democrat from Rapid City. He takes on Gov. Mike Rounds' alleged record of "leadership" in today's post.

TWD, welcome back to the fray! 

My good friend PP at Dakota War College (and yes, I say that sincerely) has recently posted that the SD Republican Party needs to be ideological.  He argues that approach is a winning approach, apparently as it applies to governance in Pierre.

PP, with all due respect, I think you are wrong based on history.

I don't pretend to be an expert on the SD Republican Party, but I have studied it as a student and amateur historian, as a political junkie and operative, and as a journalist.  Let me explicate three successful GOP governors who were non-ideological.  They also seem to be the norm and not the exception.

• Gov. Peter Norbeck, 1917-1921

Gov. Norbeck's main issues were conservation, tourism (Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Black Hills), economic development (State Cement Plant, Rural Credits Bank), and economic fairness.  If anything, he was a LIBERAL, PROGRESSIVE Republican who adopted much of the Non-Partisan League's proposals.  Notice his agenda.  We still benefit today from the robust tourism industry he helped to build with his support of Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the marvelous tourism roads in the Black Hills and the Badlands.  

• Gov. George S. Mickelson, 1987-1993

While I believe Gov. Mickelson was ostensibly pro-life, it was never a big part of his campaigns or legislative agendas.  What was his agenda?  Economic development (REDI Rund), education (Youth at Risk), and better race relations (The Year then The Century of Reconciliation.)  I covered all of Mickelson's administration.  His style was to appreciate the legislative process, bring people together, then solve a problem.  George was no ideologue.

• Gov. Bill Janklow, 1979-1987, 1995-2001

Like Gov. Mickelson, I believe Gov. Janklow was ostensibly pro-life.  Again, it was never a huge part of his campaigning or legislative agendas.  I've been on Bill's bad side and good side and even did some legal work for him on a project while he was governor (and I was an active Democrat).  So what does that tell you?  What was Bill interested in as governor?  Economic development (Citibank, State Railroad), health care (expanding the USD Medical School, something Gov. Kneip started), corrections (you might disagree with his approach but it was big on his agenda), adoption (my daughter comes from his Special Needs Children program) and  taxes.  Bill assembled brilliant staffers to help flush out is own many brilliant ideas to help move the state forward.

For the Democrats, I would throw in Gov. Dick Kneip.  What did Dick do?  Modernized state government.  Expanded the medical school.  Cracked down on drunk driving.  Again, no ideologue.  I have no idea if he was pro-choice or pro-life, though he did have a slug of kids.  I actually got to interview him as a high school journalist and watched SDPTV's "Statehouse" like a maniac back then.

Pat, I think South Dakota history shows that our most successful governors--Democrat and Republican--were NOT ideological and looked for ways to solve practical problems in practical ways.  They reached out to others.  They weren't rigid in their thinking.

Norbeck, Kneip, Janklow, and Mickelson were problem solvers first and foremost.  That is why they were our best governors. 

 You know, they're a lot like Jack Billion and Eric Abrahamson!   Problem solvers.  Uniters.  Hmmm.

Deb Billion, wife of Democratic candidate for governor Jack Billion, attended the Workers Memorial Day Commemoration and dedication of the Ruth and Ralph Morris Library at the Sioux Falls Labor Temple last Friday.  Here are some photos of the event.

Deb Billion noted that no South Dakota worker should have to die, be injured, or be made sick while working. She also recognized the work of Ralph and Ruth Morris on behalf of South Dakota's working people.
State Senator Gil Koetzle of Sioux Falls, a long time labor leader, spoke of the importance of safe work places and the sacrifices that workers make for the economy.
Mike Rifen of the carpenters' union was the master of ceremonies.
Some of the audience at the event, including Curt Morris in the tan pullover, grandson of Ralph and Ruth Morris. 

JACK BILLION’S CAMPAIGN SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF MAY 1, 2006

(Schedule is subject to change)

Democratic candidate for governor Jack Billion will be in the Black Hills region, Madison, Sioux Falls, Brandon, and northeast South Dakota the week of May 1, 2006.

• Monday, May 1 (All times MDT)
  • Noon—Interview with Kadoka Press, Kadoka.
  • 3 p.m.—Interview with Black Hills Pioneer, Spearfish.
  • 4 p.m.—Meet with Black Hill State University Student Democrats, BHSU, Spearfish.

• Tuesday, May 2 (All times MDT)
  • 9 a.m.—Interview with Rapid City Journal, Rapid City.
  • 11 a.m.—Interview with KBHB AM, Sturgis.
  • 2 p.m.—Tour at Western Dakota Technical Institute, Rapid City.
  • 3 p.m.—Meet with WDTI students and faculty.

• Wednesday, May 3
  • TBA

• Thursday, May 4
  • TBA

• Friday, May 5 (All times CDT)
  • 1 p.m.—Meet with Dakota State University Student Democrats, DSU Trojan Center, Madison.
  • 6 p.m.—Meet with Lake County Democrats, Madison.

• Saturday, May 6
  • 9:30 a.m.—Master of ceremonies for Minnehaha County Democratic Party Campaign Kickoff Brunch, Good Samaritan National Headquarters, Sioux Falls.
  • 2 p.m.—Attend Brandon Loyalty Day Parade, Brandon (Tentative).

• Sunday, May 7
  • 12:30 p.m.--Meet with Roberts County Democrats, Sisseton.
  • 5 p.m.—Meet with Deuel County Democrats, Country Inn, north of Clear Lake.

For more information or to invite Jack to an event, contact Todd Epp at the information below.

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Todd D. Epp
Press Secretary
Billion for Governor
(direct) 605.221.6143 (main) 605.271.1416 (fax) 605.221.6154 (cells) 605.351.5198 or 605.521.5404
tepp@billionforgovernor
http://www.billionforgovernor.com

JACK BILLION COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF NORTHEAST AND SOUTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA

SIOUX FALLS—Democratic candidate for governor Jack Billion spent the last three days on the road in northeast and south central South Dakota, visiting Brookings, Watertown, Wallace, Webster, Aberdeen, Wessington Springs, Plankinton, and Geddes.

The trip started Wednesday night with a visit with student Democrats at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

Thursday in Wallace, Dr. Billion had his photo taken in front of the “Home of Hubert H. Humphrey” sign. “It was an honor to have my photo taken at the birthplace of one of America’s great Democrats and leaders.”

Also Thursday in Watertown, Jack met with members of the “Morning Dems,” a group of Democratic retirees who meet for breakfast. He had an interview with the weekly newspaper in Webster. That evening, he attended a Brown County Democratic Party fundraiser in Aberdeen.

Friday morning, he met with the Aberdeen American News and spoke to the Brown County Democrats “Buck a Month” Club, where over 60 people were in attendance. He then set off for interviews with weekly newspapers in Wessington Springs and Plankinton. He concluded the trip with a talk in Geddes to the Charles Mix County Democrats.

“The reception my candidacy has received has just been incredible,” Jack said. “It is exciting to see so many supporters and to listen to their concerns. It is energizing.”

Jack will be in Vermillion on Saturday, April 29, 2006. He sets off on a Black Hills swing May 1 and 2, 2006, with scheduled stops in Spearfish and Rapid City. To request Jack to speak at your event, please contact Todd Epp, press secretary, at (direct) 605.221.6143 or (cell) 605.351.5198 or (email) tepp@billionforgovernor.com.

DEB BILLION TO ATTEND WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY COMMEMORATION, MORRIS LIBRARY DEDICATION

SIOUX FALLS—Deb Billion, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Jack Billion’s wife, will attend the Workers Memorial Day Commemoration and dedication of the Morris Library at the Sioux Falls Labor Temple at 5 p.m. Friday.

The event honors killed and injured workers. The library is being dedicated for Ruth and Ralph Morris, longtime advocates for working people.

The Labor Temple is located at 10^th and Cliff.

For more information, contact Todd Epp at tepp@billionforgovernor.com.

I'm quoted in today's article in "Roll Call" on how the abortion ban has reengergized S.D.'s Democratic Party.  Here's the link to the story: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_112/outthere/12994-1.html?type=pf (Sorry, subscription.) Or, you can go to Jer Bear's site (who gets a cyber hat tip for telling me the article was out) at http://dontworryaboutthegovernment.blogspot.com/2006/04/jerson-hepplear.html

Here's my quote:

"This has been the most extraordinary month in South Dakota politics that I've ever witnessed," said Sioux Falls attorney and Democratic activist Todd Epp. "Literally a month ago, the Democrats here were a beaten lot. Ron Volesky, our only serious gubernatorial candidate, pulled out of the race with about $3,000 in the bank. We were having problems with candidate recruitment. It was typical Democratic defeatism. Then the bill got passed and signed and the people of the state woke up. It has been amazing."

And my guy Jack Billion, who just so happens to be running for governor, is also quoted and described as a strong candidate:

Billion, a retired orthopedic surgeon and former legislator who's running for governor, said that such changes would sharply refocus the agenda from abortion, abstinence and other social issues. "Issues like education, the economy, health care reform, energy and open government have been neglected," he said.

Fellow progressive babies, this article is today's "Must Read." 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Todd Epp, Billion for Governor, (o) 605.271.1416, (c) 605.221.6154, (email) tepp@billionforgovernor.com

JACK BILLION’S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S HUNT LIST COURT DECISION

SIOUX FALLS—Democratic candidate for governor Jack Billion says that under his administration, there will be no need for the South Dakota press to sue the governor’s office to obtain information.

“In the Billion Administration, there will be no secret pheasant hunts and no secret lists of participants,” Billion said. “This lawsuit is a waste of taxpayers’ money. Governor Rounds should simply release the names.”

Billion issued the statement in reaction to Circuit Court Judge Max Gors’ decision upholding the Rounds’ Administration’s position that it does not have to provide the Sioux Falls Argus Leader with a list of participants in Governor Rounds’ 2005 publicly funded pheasant hunt.

“South Dakota used to be ‘The Sunshine State,’ but the Rounds administration operates in darkness,” Billion said. “It also appears from Judge Gors’ decision that state law must be changed to further the citizens’ right to know what its government is doing. Changing the state’s open records laws will be a priority in my administration.”

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For more information contact Todd Epp, Press Secretary, Billion for Governor, (direct) 605.221.6143, (main) 605.271.1416, (fax) 605.221.6154, (cell) 605.351.5198 or 605.521.5404, or (email) tepp@billionforgovernor. The campaign website is http://www.billionforgovernor.com

Paid and authorized by Billion for Governor, P.O. Box 1485, Sioux Falls, SD 57101,Curt Johnson, Treasurer.

From the Aberdeen American News: 

Rounds in town for Republican event
20/04/06 08:16 from News: Breaking News -- AberdeenNews.com
Gov. Mike Rounds will be in Aberdeen today for the annual Lincoln Day Dinner.

Here is the new S.D. Watch/Epp poll on the Democrats running for the governor nomination. This poll is open until 8 a.m., Wednesday, May 3, 2006. Please, only registered S.D. Democrat voters, and please, only vote once during the period.