I am cited again this week in Lou Jacobson's "Out There" column in today's Roll Call (subscription, sorry!). Here's the portion about South Dakota:

Perhaps the biggest winner was Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who ousted then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D) in 2004, in large part due to his argument that he would be able to exercise more clout for South Dakota with the White House and the Republican Congressional majority. In the initial BRAC recommendations, Ellsworth Air Force Base was slated for closure. But Thune spearheaded the counterattack, and in the end, Ellsworth was spared. Thanks to this turnaround, Thune is "now bullet-proof in South Dakota ," said Pierre-based lobbyist Bob Miller. Other South Dakota politicians-- notably Sen. Tim Johnson (D) and Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D)--are also likely to win points from voters for helping keep the base open, though probably not as many as Thune, who was most closely identified with the issue. Of the South Dakota politicians, only Herseth faces the possibility of a competitive race this fall, and she appears to be making use of the BRAC issue to bolster her standing. "Herseth has already sent out a franked piece with a large color photo of a B1b bomber on it," said Todd Epp, a Sioux Falls activist who has worked for Democrats in recent elections. "She has also been crowing about her bipartisanship in working with [Gov. Mike] Rounds (R), Johnson and Thune. The three [Members of Congress] even had a joint booth together at the State Fair in Huron this summer--a first. So, Ellsworth¹s salvation will likely be a major component of her campaign."

Thanks Lou!

That Alan Aker, what a card!

Not "Surrender Monkey" but Alan AkerIn yesterday's Rapid City Journal, he calls his fellow S.D. GOPpers who fear a run against Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth "surrender-monkeys."

I have never heard that term before and frankly, I quite like it!
Not Alan Aker but "Surrender Monkey"

I can see a whole animated series entitled, "The
Not Alan Aker or "Surrender Monkey" but U.S. Rep. Stephanie HersethAdventures of Surrender Monkey," who would obviously be French (or a South Dakota Republican afraid of Steph) and travel the world surrendering to various things.  Think of "My Name Is Earl," except that for atoning for past wrongs, "Surrender Monkey" would throw in the towel on things big and little.

South Dakota War College reports this morning that the Republicans have their first serious candidate against Democrat U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth.  Click here for the story: http://dakotawarcollege.blogspot.com/2005/10/breaking-newsladies-and-gentlemen-i.html

The GOP candidate is Tom Bixler, who I believe is from Yankton.

As I have mentioned before (and done myself on a few occasions), South Dakota's bloggers on the Left and the Right are breaking news and stories, particularly political news.

As P.P. again proves, it is a new age in journalism in the Mt. Rushmore State. 

Now, will the local MSM credit P.P. for his scoop?