If you would have told me two months ago that Just Plain Dave Munson would be re-elected mayor of River City, I would have told you to seek the help of a mental health professional.

Dave was hammered.  He looked shell shocked.  He had just been put on the rack with his non-reported big November 2002 fundraiser to retire a non-existent campaign debt.  He got caught spending money the city didn't have on Phillips to the Falls.  Even his friends and supporters said he needed a chief of staff to help him find his way.  He dropped out of the race then back in.  Several of his opponents actually raised more election cash than he did.

Now, he is still the mayor of Sioux Falls.

It is probably the biggest political comeback I've witnessed in South Dakota political history.   He is our very own Comeback Kid.

Why did this happen?

Well, first, JPD has the perception of being a nice guy.  Second, the city is actually rolling along economically.  Third, his opponents, including the one I helped, never got tough on Dave's abysmal record and stood out.  All the candidates acted like typical small town Midwesterners and decided to be "nice."  Well, Dave could out "nice" all of them.  And did.  His goofy "a good man and a good mayor" TV ads were effective.  Whether they were true, that's open to debate.  But they worked.

With everything Mayor Dave has been through the past year plus, he is now pretty much bullet-proof.  Short of killing someone while he is in office, he's The Man now and for the next four years.  He has more power now than he did just a day ago.  He is our fair city's version of Superman (or at least AboveAverageMan).  And no one had the Kryptonite to bring him down.  To Dave's opponents over the next four years, good luck.  You'll need it. 

I'd be interested in your thoughts and predictions for tonight's Sioux Falls run-off. 

I can't remember an election that seemed more anti-climactic.  I think Just Plain Dave Munson beats Master Thespian Bruce Halverson (though I think Dave's shown what, er, he can do and that Bruce should have a shot at running River City for four years).  Also PatCo (Pat Costello) and DVo (David Volk) slog it out for the last at large council position.  I don't know PatCo but for a Republican, DVo is a good guy and a moderate.  So, I'd like DVo to win.

But does anybody really know what time it is?  Does anybody really care? 

Hardly anyone I know is talking about the election.  I guess we just had too much excitement voting for Janoct and Dan and Mitch and company the first time around two weeks ago.  Lord knows THAT was exhausting.  Whew!

It's sad, really.  Sioux Falls needs good leadership.  The past 20 years were great and anyone in office had the good fortune to serve during flush times.  But how will we fund Lewis and Clark if Uncle Sam takes his swimming pool full of money away?  Do we need a new events center?  And if so, do we put it where people can actually get to or where a few wealthy people can make even more money?  How do we take care of the homeless?  How do we keep the good times rollin'?  They're kind of important questions.

So, go vote then talk amongst yourselves in the comments below. 

I hate to start my day off sounding like Sibby, The Voice of the S.D. Republican Party, going off on a rant about the Argus Leader, but this is definitely something that makes you go "hmmm."

In today's Argus, young Jon Ellis, the new city political reporter for the Gannett gang, takes a page out of Dave Kranz's 2002 mayoral coverage and makes a not too subtle plug for Just Plain Dave Munson.

Remember back four years ago when Kranz did the big long article about candidate Dick Brown and Munson before the run-off? The one where Kranz said Dave drove an old car and lived in a not quite so big house, compared to the fancy car driving, big house living Brown?

Sure you do.

I cannot tell you how many people I've talked to that said that turned the election for them--Just Plain Dave was just plain like them, people told me, not like that high livin' Brown.  

What a crock.

Well, that old chestnut comes out again four years later today in the Argus (link:http://www.argusleader.com//apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060421/NEWS/604210321/1001/NLETTER01&theme= ):

Munson points to progress (video)

From the Orpheum fix to Phillips to the Falls, incumbent says accomplishments outweigh errors

By Jonathan Ellis
jonellis@argusleader.com
April 21, 2006

Mayor Dave Munson's 20-year-old Chevrolet Blazer glided out of the parking garage at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon into a spring drizzle.

Contrary to what some school children think, the mayor of Sioux Falls does not ride in a chauffeured limousine.

Wow.  Dave is a Man of the People!  Not like that pointy-headed Bruce Halverson WHO HAS A PH.D. IN THEATRE, FOR GOD'S SAKE!  Dave drives an old beater, just like you and me!  Never mind all the other crap he's done as mayor.  He's just a good guy!

The apprentice has learned from the master.  Dr. Halverson, you've been Kranzed.  Dave Munson holds some sort of magical power over the Argus newsroom. 

PP at S.D. War College has what I think is one of his funniest posts concerning the Sioux Falls Mayors race.  First, he calls Bruce Halverson Master Thespian.  Funny!  And yes, I could see Jon Lovitz running Sioux Falls and telling KELOLAND's Don Jorgensen, "You mock me." 

Then PP takes on Dr. Halverson's Ph.D. in theatre (or as they would say West River, "thee-ate'-er," which the Argus article implies qualifies Bruce to be mayor.  (Then again, Dave Munson has been using method acting techniques to great effect for the past 30 years of his political career to fool the public.)

Then, in a nice Dennis Milleresque touch, he makes an obscure reference to Halverson as a deformed Vincent Price playing the pipe organ.  Excellent! 

It was sort of like reading, er, me on a good day.  Good work (E)PP!

Here's the link:  http://dakotawarcollege.blogspot.com/2006/04/vote-for-me-because-i-am-master.html

Maybe I can learn to like Bruce Halverson if he keeps this up.  From this morning's Argus:

Halverson: Munson leadership lacking (video)
Apr. 18, 2006
Bruce Halverson raised the level of rhetoric in the mayor's race on Monday by criticizing Mayor Dave Munson's management and leadership skills. It was the first time that Halverson - or any other candidate - publicly criticized Munson for some of the issues that dogged him during the past year.

The City of Sioux Falls is sponsoring a writing contest for middle and high school students as part of the city's 150th anniversary (See: http://www.siouxfalls.org/building/news/2006/april/sesqui_call_writing.aspx ):

Here's a free idea for any student to take as their own: In 1,500 words or less, explain how Mayor Dave Munson was able to survive overspending on Phillips to the Falls, conduct government in secret, and violate campaign finance ordinances yet make the run-off for a second mayoral term. 

There is obviously a reason why real pollsters get the big bucks.  It is a real art and science.

The S.D. Watch/Epp Polls and The Rant a Bit Poll didn't hit the mark in the Sioux Falls mayoral race.  For this blog, this was the first use of online polling.  It obviously has flaws.

I will continue conducting polls because they are fun and are a great traffic generator. I will also look at some other polling devices that might help bring up the reliability factor.

But online polling, like talking to barbers and putting beans in a jar, is no replacement for scientific survey work--or elections. 

Prominent Sioux Falls Democrats should be ashamed this morning.  Like the quote about Palestinians, it appears we Democrats never miss and opportunity to miss an opportunity.

What am I talking about?  Darrin Smith's loss last night in the Sioux Falls mayoral race.

Prominent Democrats gave aid and comfort to the winners, Dave Munson, a Republican, and Bruce Halverson, a who knows what.  Other Democrats gave aid and comfort to others who took votes from Darrin, including Mitch Richter, a Republican, Casey Murschel, a Republican,  and Vernon Brown, a who knows what.

Had some very prominent Democrats given the same loyalty to a qualified and viable Democrat--i.e., Darrin Smith--that they demanded when they worked for big time Democrats like Tom Daschle and Stephanie Herseth, Darrin would be in the runoff today.  In two weeks, for the first time in a generation, we would likely have a mayor in Sioux Falls who was a Democrat.  That would have been a great thing for both Sioux Falls and the state and local Democratic Parties.

The Republicans do a much better job of supporting their candidates and developing their bench for future office.  This was a marvelous opportunity to not just send a young, strong and intelligent leader to city hall, but to help develop a future Senator, Representative, or Governor.

But no. 

You Democrats who abandoned one of your own in this election know who you are.  And you should be ashamed.  Very ashamed. 

For you election junkies out there, the Sioux Falls City website will have live updates at: http://siouxfalls.org/Cityclerk/2006election/posted_results.aspx

There were no results yet as of 7:18 p.m. 

Scotty H. has his own poll results in the Sioux Falls mayoral race:

Hudson Mayor Race Poll Results 

I know I should have posted these totals before today’s election, but better late than ever. With a couple of exceptions, I think this could be pretty close to the actual results.Darrin Smith (21%)Vernon Brown (18%)Janoct Adja (16%)Dan Christopherson (14%)Dave Munson (8%)Bruce Halverson (7%)Casey Murschel (6%)(Tie) Bob Jamison/Mitch Richter (5%)Darrel Viereck and Lora Hubbel received no votes.

We'll know shortly if online polling has any veracity or not. 

Former legislator Mitch Richter took the fifth and final S.D. Watch/Epp Poll for Sioux Falls Mayor. Councilor Darrin Smith once again took second.

The results:

Selection		Votes
Darrel Viereck	2%	3
Vernon Brown	7%	11
Lora Hubbel	1%	2
Dave Munson	17%	28
Darrin Smith	25%	42
Mitch Richter	28%	46
Dan Christopherson	1%	1
Casey Murschel	4%	7
Bruce Halverson	11%	18
Bob Jamison	3%	5
Ajda Janoct	2%	3
166 votes total
Poll powered by Pollhost. Poll results are subject to error. Pollhost does not pre-screen the content of polls created by Pollhost customers.

The previous results:

Poll #1--Casey Murschel, Darrin Smith

Poll #2--Casey Murschel, Darrin Smith

Poll #3--Darrin Smith, Dave Munson

Poll #4--Mitch Richter, Darrin Smith

Poll #5--Mitch Richter, Darrin Smith

My on air prediction Saturday night on KSFY was a run-off between  Smith and Munson.  My own poll shows a run-off between Smith and Richter.

One friend of mine in the advertising business thinks the Richter results are an anamoly of a concentrated campaign to vote for Mitch and defeat my "you can only vote once" system.  I suspect that may be true but I have no proof.  My own gut feeling is that Richter has more traction than people think precisely because he went negative on Vernon Brown (like that is difficult) and Bruce Halverson and separated himself from the "I'm nice and like water so vote for me" pack.

I am sticking with my original prediction based on the following.  Mayor Munson, despite a number of bonehead moves on his part, has a core constituency that he's developed over the past thirty some years.  While the money people have probably left him for other shills in the race, a lot of people like Dave and think he's a nice guy and got picked on.  So, I think he probably has about 20% support built in.  

Smith has attempted to have personal contact of some sort by someone in his campaign with every voter in Sioux Falls.  This grassroots approach, I feel, will pay dividends in a crowded field.  If one of 11 candidates came to my door, I'd be impressed.  Also, being the only Democrat in the race doesn't hurt in the run off, as there are a certain number of built in votes there.

I used to think Lora Hubbel was the X factor because of her ties to the extremist elements of the Republican Party that know how to work hard, get out the vote, and fund their candidates.  However, I didn't see that develop like I thought.

Richter is now my X factor because he had the yayas to go negative and say what a lot of people were thinking about Brown and Halverson.  Also, being a fiscal conservative in this election is perceptive, in my opinion, given the drunken sailor spending (and attempts at spending) that have gone on under Munson.

The Argus' Dave Kranz has continued to pimp for Munson in his column, as well as for Brown and Halverson with his "barber poll."  Brown has name ID from his KELOLAND days.  But he is obviously no Arnold Schwartenegger--in more ways than just celebrity.  Halverson looks good on paper having run Augustana College, but there have been whispers about his tenure there as well.

Bottom line, fellow babies, it doesn't much matter what I think.  That's why we hold elections, to let the people, not the pollsters and the pundits, decide.  If you live in Sioux Falls (or any other community with an election today), make sure you vote, then turn on the TV tonight and watch what could be fascinating election results roll in. 

Hopefully these endorsements won't be like Argus Leader endorsements--the kiss of political death.

These are my picks for the two races that I have been following the closest and impact my life the most.

If you haven't already voted by absentee ballot, be sure you go to the polls on Tuesday in Sioux Falls and Harrisburg (and if your community is having an election).

DARRIN SMITH FOR SIOUX FALLS MAYOR

Darrin has a unique combination of youth and experience.  He has been an active, articulate, and hardworking member of the Sioux Falls City Council.  He is not afraid to speak out on controversial issues and take a stand.  His experience running private non-profit organizations has been a good preparation to run Sioux Falls.  He believes in open government.  His way is about finding solutions, not rewarding cronies.  His generation will eventually run Sioux Falls.  It might as well be now and be a reflection of Sioux Falls' vigor, families, and new economy. 

Darrin's campaign website: http://smithformayor.com/

NED HORSTED FOR HARRISBURG SCHOOL BOARD

While the Argus Leader tried to kneecap Ned with its profiles of what it seemed to bill as "too young" politicians, Ned Horsted is far wiser and older than his 20 years.  He is a recent Harrisburg High School graduate who could add a major dose of reality to some of the fuzzy headed thinking that has been going on.  He has run once before for the office and nearly won.  He has experience in Washington, DC as an assistant in Sen. Tom Daschle's office.  Ned is also not afraid to speak up and take a stand for what he thinks is right. He is also for a transparent school board.  His opponents, former school board member Don Hoffman and current member Mary Tebben, have had their chance to make an impact on the district.  It is time to reflect the young families and young people like Ned who now call not just Harrisburg, but the Harrisburg School District "home."

Ned's campaign website: http://nedhorsted.com/index.html

"Did I tell you I was a reporter for KELOLAND?"Everytime Sioux Falls mayoral candidate Vernon Brown opens his pie hole, out comes the words, "When I was a reporter" or "When I was with KELOLAND."

Give me a break. 

Don't believe me?  KELOLAND TV has the proof:

Vernon Brown says, "I've gone through the Citizens' Academy and was in the police department every day as a reporter and still have close ties to the police department and will continue to do that as mayor."

For God's sake already, Vernon, we know you were a reporter and you worked for KELO-TV.  And that basically qualifies you to be a flack for some non-profit charity or maybe a for-profit business.   If that's the best you can do in the resume department, then that is just plain sad.  But, to use your words, I guess "It makes sense." 

Voting is open until 8 a.m., Saturday, April 8, 2006 for this poll.

Former legislator Mitch Richter narrowly defeated Mayor Dave Munson and Councilor Darrin Smith in the 4th S.D. Watch/Epp Poll, which ran from Saturday, March 25, 2006 until Saturday, April 1.

Legislator Casey Murschel won the first two polls, Smith the third, and now, Richter, the fourth.

The results:

Selection		Votes
Janoct Ajda	2%	2
Dan Christopherson	0%	0
Bob Jamison	1%	1
Darrel Viereck	0%	0
Mitch Richter	24%	21
Bruce Halverson	15%	13
Lora Hubbel	0%	0
Vernon Brown	15%	13
Dave Munson	21%	19
Casey Murschel	1%	1
Darrin Smith	21%	19
89 votes total
Poll powered by Pollhost. Poll results are subject to error. Pollhost does not pre-screen the content of polls created by Pollhost customers.

Thanks for voting.  I'll have a new poll up later today, which will run from until 8 a.m., Saturday, April 8.   Please, Sioux Falls registered voters only.