One of the things that I always thought was cool was that you could draw a direct line from James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, all the way to Michael Jordan.

Naismith invented basketball.  He coached the University of Kansas’ Phogg Allen.  Allen coached Dean Smith at KU.  Smith coached Jordan at North Carolina.

It’s the great unbroken baseline of basketball, if you will.

I think there’s a similar (though slightly less direct) line that can be drawn from President Thomas Jefferson to President-elect Barack Obama.

Jefferson created the promise that all men (people) are created equal. President Abraham Lincoln helped to partially fulfill that promise with the Emancipation Proclamation. President Harry Truman took another step to integrate the armed forces.  President Dwight Eisenhower used troops to make sure black men and women could get an equal and non separate education.  President John Kennedy advocated for the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.  President Lyndon Johnson got them passed and put the first black, Thurgood Marshall, on Supreme Court.  President George H.W. Bush elevated Gen. Collin Powell to lead our armed forces.  President George W. Bush appointed the first black man (Powell) and black woman (Condeleezza Rice) as Secretaries of State.

And then Barack Obama was elected President.

These Democrat and Republican Presidents looked beyond the prejudices of their times and helped fulfill the promises of our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.  Sure, it took far too long.  But without their actions, we might not have President-elect Obama.

It’s a legacy all Americans should be proud of.

What does Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin do in 2010—or before?

There was talk election night at the SD Democratic Victory Party Tuesday (that seems like an eternity ago now) that she might be in line for Secretary of Agriculture.  That would be intriguing.  She is a farm girl.  She’s on the House Ag Committee.  She represents a farm state.  She’s a moderate.  And I believe she would be the first woman Ag Secretary.  She’s also smart as hell.

And the potential loss of one Democrat from the large House majority wouldn’t make a dent to the Democrats.  And we might just elect another Democrat in a special election—Calling Scott Heidepriem?  Mike Huether?  Maggie Gillespie?

In some ways, this might burnish Stephanie’s resume to be a possible Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate in 2016 or 2020 more than being the Governor of South Dakota would.  It is actually running a large, important federal agency that is in charge of America’s most important industry.

Does she want to raise her child in DC rather than Pierre or Brookings?  I’m sure that would be a consideration.

There are others on the list to be agriculture secretary, including another South Dakotan, Tom Daschle, and Tom’s pal from the National Farmers Union, NFU president Tom Buis.  I’m sure there are others as well, people we do and don’t know.

So, wither Stephanie?  Governor in 2010?  U.S. Senate in 2010?  U.S. House in 2010?  Secretary of Agriculture in 2009? 

Vote your suggestion now in this important EppPoll!  See the poll in the right hand column.

Caricature of Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin courtesy of Jackie Dusseau-Bielke and used with permission.

Looks like two of my favorite young Republican friends are up to something.

Pat Powers of South Dakota War College fame is the site administrator for “Schoenbeck in ‘10” on Facebook for former state senator Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown.

Seriously, both are friends and good guys.  I try not to let their Republicanness get in the way of a good time with my two conservative buddies.  In fact, I’ll be hunting with both of them after the election.  I’ll also be drying their tears because of the drubbing Republicans are going to take on November 4th. 

Anyhoo, seems like at least a little more evidence that Lee is going to run for Governor of our great state in 2010.

Unfortunately, my heart belongs to Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin or Mike Huether or Scott Heidepriem, members of my own Democratic tribe (and Mike and Scott are friends of mine as well.  Stephanie is busy with that Texas husband of hers and a new kid on the way). 

But if there had to be yet another Republican as Governor of South Dakota, I’d be ok with Lee. 

A post on the SD War College that started out about problems with a new hire of someone who may not had received an honorable discharge to head the state Veterans Board has turned into a Rounds Republican Revolution in the comments.

• Read: Argus: Governor and Veterans Board at odds. How does that play out in the coming months?

A few samples from the unofficial blog of the state Republican Party:

Vets, Brand Board, Airplanes, fed game warden, Secret Government, Appropriations, Highway Patrol, K-12 funding, DOT trust fund blown, ethanol tax fight, lack of vision, abortion veto/signage, and to some extent the lack of support for republican legislators (do not help lists, etc.).

Stack ‘em up…these things and others will mount against Daugaard all the way through 2010.

And:

Rounds had successes? If he did, they have been forgotten in the flood of controversial faux pas that he mishandled with all the dexterity of a guy with no arms trying out for catcher in the major leagues. These issues all came back to smack ol’ Smilin’ Mike in the face.

Daugaard may very well be a likable guy, but I can’t think of a single person involved in any of these blowups who would even consider supporting him for governor simply because it would be another round of Rounds. Having been involved in a couple of these myself on the opposite side from “Janklow Light”, the very thought of another Rounds causes me night terrors!!

And:

The governor’s bumbling will continue through 2010. Take that to the bank.

Daugaard is second-in-command of this debacle called the Rounds administration. Poor dude is in a tough spot.

Knudsen, as the senate majority leader, isn’t much better positioned. He & Stan the Man have been ardent supporters since day1.

It’ll be an interesting race & may blow open the door for Schoenbeck, Michels or (gasp) a Democrat.

Voters will be anxious for any kind of change that’s for sure.

I remind my Republican friends that there is no reason why they can’t vote for a Democrat for governor in 2010 and get some real change—and openness—in Pierre for a change. Think of it as opening a window to air out a house that’s been closed up for 30 plus years.

Technorati Tags: Mike Rounds, Dennis Daugaard, governor, South Dakota, 2010 election, veterans

I spoke today with a very, very well placed Bill Janklow source today and asked them about what I had heard and theorized about yesterday on a possible Janklow 2010 comeback.

They said it was an intriguing idea but didn’t think it was in the works.  This person said Janklow likes being a trial lawyer and it would be too difficult to overcome the Randy Scott accident.  But they also thought Bill would do a great job if he was re-re-elected.

So, just wanted to let you know from another good source that they didn’t think this was in the cards.

But golly, 2010 would sure be even more interesting than it’s set out to be if Bill did run for his old job again.  Why not the Restoration of the House of Janklow after the Rounds Interregnum in the Kingdom of South Dakota?

Unless, of course, Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin or Scott Heidepriem would like the job instead. 


Technorati Tags: Bill Janklow, William J. Janklow, Gov. Bill Janklow, 2010 election, governor’s race, South Dakota

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[where: 57104] 

One of my top political sources believes that former Governor Bill Janklow is going run for Governor in 2010.

Why?

After his conviction for vehicular manslaughter, serving his 100 days at County, and getting his law license back, Bill is a plaintiff's  attorney in two the highest profile civil cases in recent South Dakota history:  Austin Wiese v. Dan Sutton (PageGate) and Dan Scott v. The Argus Leader and Randell Beck (ParodyGate).  Talk about your "earned" media.

As evidenced by his interview yesterday with KELOLAND, Bill still has "the touch" with the media--and loves a good fight.

It is also a poorly kept secret that Janklow hasn't been real happy with the Rounds Administration's running of state government.  And, anyone who knows Bill knows that he absolutely loved being governor.

And look at the past.  In 1986, he's term limited.  In 1994, he runs against Gov. Walter Dale Miller in the primary and beats him.  In 2002, Janklow is again term limited. What's eight years from 2002?  2010.  So, why not another Janklow restoration after the Rounds Interregnum, just as we had the Mickelson/Miller Interregnum.  To many South Dakotans, it's Bill's world and office; the rest of just live or are ruled in it and under it.

I have no direct information from Janklow that he's going to run.  But Janklow has made a political career out of doing what hasn't been done before.  Run against an incumbent U.S. Senator in your own party?  Why not?  Become good friends with the U.S. Senate Minority/Majority Leader who happens to be a Democrat?  Yup.  Have the state buy a railroad?  Absolutely.  Transport waterized coal across South Dakota?  Sure thing.

Might he just slide into retirement, taking on the plaintiffs' cases he feels passionately about, playing with the grandkids, and being an elder statesman?  Maybe.  But Bill is not a guy who sits still--or let's his rain just idle. 

If his health is good, why not?  It's good to be the king.  And Bill knows that better than anyone.

And just think how interesting 2010 would be if Bill is back running for office?  Definitely something that would just make you want to go "hmmm."

(Cross-posted to the Home Edition of SD Watch and SDW @ KELOLAND.com.)

Above: The Lion in Summer.  Gov. Bill Janklow during his first stint as governor, 1979-1987.

Below: The Lion in Winter.  Gov. Bill Janklow during his second stint as governor, 1995-2003.




Technorati Tags: William J. Janklow, Bill Janklow, Gov. Bill Janklow, 2010 election, South Dakota, governors, gubernatorial elections

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State Sen. Jerry Apa (R-Lawrence Co.) The GOP’s gubernatorial nominee in 2010? I hope so!Here’s my latest entry on KELOLAND.com—Jerry Apa for Governor? I Hope So!

An excerpt: 

Jerry Apa for Governor? 

I’m not sure my friend Pat Powers at SD War College was opening this door when he posted a letter from Lee Schoenbeck to supporters about it basically being too early to start campaigning for governor. 

• Read: Here’s another hint on what we might expect for 2010

But in the comments, there is considerable chatter about not just Lee’s letter but about the possibility of state Sen. Jerry Apa from Lawrence County running for governor in 2010.

As a Democrat, God I hope so… .