The National Enquirer reports today (damn, it’s hard for me to write those words), that Gov. Sarah Palin tried to keep daughter Bristol’s pregnancy a secret until her daughter and her daughter’s babydaddy were married after the GOP convention.

An excerpt:

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin attempted to quietly have her daughter Bristol get married before news of her pregnancy leaked out, the NATIONAL ENQUIRER is reporting exclusively in its new issue.

Palin planned for the wedding to take place right after the Republican National Convention and then she was going to announce the pregnancy….

And no whining about it being the National Enquirer, my young Republican friends. You took their reporting and ran when they broke the John Edwards affair.

The Orwellian RNC Convention just about put me on injured reserve tonight.

Did you know the Republicans are the Peace Party? I guess it's peace if you consider invading a country that had nothing to do with 911 as "peace" then staying there longer than WWII lasted.

Did you know that Republicans love small towns but hate people who are involved and work for change in those same communities?

Did you know that Republicans are pro-family, as long as it is Republicans who have out of wedlock kids? Republican unmarried mothers have "family problems." Democrat unmarried mothers have bad morals.

Did you know that Republicans are for change and are mavericks?? But hasn't a Republican President been the problem for the past eight years? Haven't they been in power?

Did you know that Republicans hate people who write books yet they believe in education?

Who knew!?

Pass the Pepto Bismol. I think I'm going to hurl.

Ok, my young Republican friends, you've given me a lot of grief about "picking" on Gov. Sarah Palin.

Well, some of the stalwarts of your own party aren't so big on her selection either.

Here's a transcript of an off camera discussion today about Palin's selection as Veep from venerable GOP heavyweight Peggy Noonan, Republican strategist Mike Murphy, and MSNBC's Chuck Todd. Go to the Huffington Post to watch the actual video.

Here's the pertinent part of the transcript:

Mike Murphy: You know, because I come out of the blue swing state governor world: Engler, Whitman, Tommy Thompson, Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush. I mean, these guys -- this is how you win a Texas race, just run it up. And it's not gonna work. And --

PN: It's over.

MM: Still McCain can give a version of the Lieberman speech to do himself some good.

CT: I also think the Palin pick is insulting to Kay Bailey Hutchinson, too.

PN: Saw Kay this morning.

CT: Yeah, she's never looked comfortable about this --

MM: They're all bummed out.

CT: Yeah, I mean is she really the most qualified woman they could have turned to?

PN: The most qualified? No! I think they went for this -- excuse me-- political bullshit about narratives --

CT: Yeah they went to a narrative.

MM: I totally agree.

PN: Every time the Republicans do that, because that's not where they live and it's not what they're good at, they blow it.

MM: You know what's really the worst thing about it? The greatness of McCain is no cynicism, and this is cynical.

CT: This is cynical, and as you called it, gimmicky.

MM: Yeah.

Yup, those rabid liberals, Noonan and Murphy, dissin' the Alaskan mom. Disgusting.

God forbid you’re a Democratic legislator and have some piddly connection to state government activity.

You’ll face the full wrath of the Attorney General—or worse—if you don’t give up your state contract.

But if you’re a crony capitalist that’s into the state government for millions in REDI fund loans?

Hey, no problem!

Let’s take the example of Jared Higman, an Iowan who recently moved to the Vermillion area and is running against Democratic State Senator Ben Nesselhuf. Would he benefit from his state contracts if elected? He already does!

As Badlands Blue pointed out earlier this week:

SDDP Executive Director Rick Hauffe said Jared Higman should not be running for the S.D. Legislature as long as one of his companies, JH Investments, LLC, owes the state $1.2 million in a loan taken out for a project costing $4.1 million. Hauffe said Higman, a wealthy business owner who moved from Akron, Iowa, to Vermillion two and a half years ago, has been a beneficiary of state government grants, state contracts and low-interest loans for a few years.

“There is no question Mr. Higman greatly benefits from grants and cheap loans from the state, and that is his right,” Hauffe said. “The problem starts when he chooses to make that relationship even cozier by becoming one of 35 votes in the state senate that approves government allocations and state budgets.

“I’m sure he wants to do Gov. Rounds a big favor after having been so generously rewarded by Gov. Rounds with state contracts, cheap loans
and government grants.”

Hey, no problem. Maybe Higman will even pay the loans back!

But if you’re a Democrat? Well, here’s what’s happened to some legislators who had far less connection to state government:

• In January, Rep. David Siegstad (D-Pierpont) received a phone call from AG Larry Long telling him he needed to resign from the legislature or give up a position on the board of a soybean association that had received a REDI fund loan.
• In 1992, Sen. Sharon Green (D-Rapid City) was forced to give up a small contract for counseling inmates.
• Sen. Bernie Hunhoff (D-Yankton) was attacked by Bill Janklow in 1998 for accepting money from public universities to run ads in South Dakota Magazine.

   

Hopefully, this will all be moot and Sen. Nesselhuf will easily win re-election. But apparently conflict of interest in South Dakota is a one way street if you’re a Democrat but “just the way things are done” if you are a Republican.

Above: Jared Higman.

Below: Sen. Benjamin Nesselhuf.

Technorati Tags: Benjamin Nesselhuff, Jared Higman, South Dakota Legislature, conflict of interest, crony capitalism, 2008 election

From Americans United for Change:

***Media Advisory for Thursday, July 17^th, 2008 at 3PM, CDT***

National Bush Legacy Bus Tour to Make Latest Stop in Sioux Falls 45-foot, 28-ton Museum on Wheels Features Several Exhibits on How Disastrous Bush/Conservative Policies - Embraced by Sen. John Thune - Have Harmed Our National Security, Ruined the Economy and Sacrificed Key Domestic Priorities

***Press Conference at 3PM / Open to the Public from 3- 5PM***

Click Here to Visit the Bush Legacy Tour Homepage

“Yes Sir, Mr. President!” – Thune Rubberstamped Bush’s Failed Policies 85 Percent of the Time

WHERE:     U.S. Senator John Thune’s constituent office

320 North Main Street

                        Sioux Falls, SD

Technorati Tags: Bush Legacy Tour, George W. Bush, President Bush, failure, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Americans United for Change

Ask not for whom the bell tolls, my GOP friends. It tolls for thee as well when it comes to scandals. I hope you are all as outraged about Christopher J. Ward as you were about Chad Schuldt.

An excerpt from Saturday’s Washington Post:

The former treasurer of a key Republican campaign committee embezzled more than $500,000 over a five-year period, using it to fund mortgage payments and a six-figure remodeling of his Bethesda home, according to court documents filed yesterday.

The papers were filed by federal prosecutors in an attempt to force the former treasurer, Christopher J. Ward, to forfeit his home to the government…

Ward, who was fired earlier this year, has not been charged with a crime, but the civil action filed yesterday seeks to seize his home in the 6300 block of Massachusetts Avenue. Such efforts prevent subjects of investigations from selling properties that were allegedly part of their crimes and hiding the proceeds….

I’m just sayin’.

Technorati Tags: Chad Schuldt, Christoper J. Ward, Republican scandals

Sphere: Related Content

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

An interesting observation received via the email mail bag today:

Subject: NRCC Embezzlement
Message: Todd, if Chad Schuldt embezzling money was “Hildygate”according to PP, then what are we going to dub the NRCC embezzlement?

We have to name it after the victim, so should we call it elephantgate,or should we bring it closer to home and call it Liengate?

This dude was just doing what the Republicans have been doing to thefederal treasury for years - robbing it. When he’s working for the NRCC, he can’t be blamed for acting like the Republican President and Republican Congress. The GOP should have no problem with his grandkids paying the money back; that’s their plan for recouping federal government money they spend now. He’s just stimulating the economy is all. It will trickle down - circulate in the economy. New jobs will be created!!

Technorati Tags: Chris Lien, NRCC, embezzlement, Chad Schuldt, Hildygate, GOPGate

I watched MSNBC’s Countdown coverage of the New York Times breaking story tonight on Sen. John McCain’s “relationship” with lobbyist Vicki Iseman* during his 2000 Presidential campaign.

I guess my bottom line reaction was simply “that’s it?”

The story is mostly a rehash of McCain’s problems with the Keating 5 Savings and Loan Scandal and a few other subsequent missteps.

But while the article implies some sort of “impropriety”—sexual favors or political favors between McCain and Iseman—there is not one shred of evidence.  There’s only the “concerns” of some former staffers—now disgruntled—that there was something going on between the now 71 year old McCain and now 40 year old (and still rather babalicious) Iseman.

Let me just be straight out about this.  I didn’t give a crap that President Bill Clinton was schtuping Monica Lewinski.  And I don’t give a crap if McCain was schtuping Iseman.  McCain has talked a lot about being ethical in the political realm.  What he does outside of work is his and his wife’s business, not mine.  If it were Gov. Mike Huckabee who had these allegations, I might feel differently that the man of the cloth was a sexual hypocrite.  But I don’t think McCain has ever put himself on that mountain top.

And further, THERE’S NO PROOF OF HANKY PANKY!

I would be more concerned if he did Iseman or her clients’ favors above and beyond what he might do for other constituents.  But if he did pull a few favors, even Mr. Clean McCain isn’t perfect.  That’s the way of Washington and Pierre.

So, this is one Democrat that needs to see a lot more proof of any wrong doing by Sen. McCain before he jumps on the McCain for Hypocrite Bandwagon.  If the NY Times has more about this, then they should have reported it.  Right now, I would agree with the Arizona Republican—it’s a smear job.

But, the cynic in me also knows that oftentimes, where there is smoke, there is fire.  But right now, I”m not sure the NY Times presented more than a book of matches.

• Here’s the link to the full NYT story: For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk

• Vicki Iseman’s Lobbyist Database on opensecrets.com.

• Read the full McCain denial.

*Ms Iseman’s profile page at Alcalde and Fay now comes up empty.  I don’t know if it was taken down with the breaking scandal or that she had previously left the firm.

Photo: Vicki Iseman’s photo from Alcalde and Fay.

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The Pierre Capital Journal reported yesterday that pro-life Republican former legislator Ted Klaudt is appealing his criminal convictions for raping his foster daughters.

Apparently he’s sorry—but not THAT sorry.

An excpert:

PIERRE — Convicted rapist and former state lawmaker Ted Klaudt filed appeal documents with the state Supreme Court late Wednesday morning.

Supreme Court documents obtained by the Capital Journal show Klaudt plans on appealing all four counts’ judgments and convictions of second-degree rape charges.

Hat tip to The Gribble Report for spotting this.


Technorati Tags: Jabba the Hut, Jabba the Klaudt, The Gribble Report, Ted Klaudt, pro-lifers, Republicans, rapists, South Dakota Supreme Court

Here is my latest column in this week’s Tea-Harrisburg Champion concerning President Bush’s defunding of the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System.

• Bush budget shows no regard for South Dakota

Technorati Tags: George W. Bush, President, Senator, John Thune, Tim Johnson, Representative, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, water projects, South Dakota, Tea, Harrisburg, Championland, Lewis and Clark Regional Water System

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You South Dakota Republicans mystify me.

In 2004, you kicked out of the U.S. Senate a man who was able to bring many worthy projects to our state and replace him with a man who said “values” were more important than programs.

In 2000 and 2004, you elected a President who wouldn’t know the truth if it was shot out of a cannon and hit him in the chest who led us into a needless war in Iraq.  That war has robbed us our our fine young men and women and emptied our nation’s treasury.

Yes, my South Dakota Republican friends, you’ve given us the twin disasters of John Thune and George W. Bush.

And today, not surprisingly, it all came home to roost with Bush deciding not to propose funding for the much needed Lewis and Clark Regional Water System.

The lack of funding could literally leave us all in the Sioux Empire high and dry.

Yes, “values”—or the appearance of them is more important than water for the growing Tri-State area.

Yes, bogus tax cuts in a time of war are more important than an assured source of water for our children and grandchildren.

My GOP friends in South Dakota, you have no right to bitch about the complete erasure of money for Lewis and Clark.

Your votes and your delusions about your “leaders” and what they would do make it all possible.

I’ve known for years that Thune, Bush, and their fellow Rightwingers in Pierre and Washington don’t give a damn about me.

But how’s it feel to finally realize that that your “heroes” don’t give a damn about you either? 

Technorati Tags: Lewis and Clark Rural Water System, Sioux Empire, South Dakota, John Thune, George W. Bush, water, water projects, federal budget

 

I can’t say that I’m too thrilled about Gov. Mike Huckabee being our next President. 

And I’m not alone. 

My dark side lower religious conservation companion buddy Bob Ellis at Dakota Voice has several critical posts a day about the Rev. Huckabee.  I figured Bob would love Mike but that’s not the case.

Anyway, a group called Truth Wins Out reports that Gov. Huckabee may have ties to some goofy religious group that wants to replace the U.S. Constitution with the Old Testament.

Read for yourself:

Mike Huckabee’s Ties to Known Extremists Come Under Scrutiny After Victory in Iowa

NEW YORK, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — TruthWinsOut.org today called on Mike Huckabee to explain his close association to prominent members of the Christian Reconstructionist movement — which believes Old Testament law should replace the Constitution and that the Biblealso justifies corporal or capital punishment for adulterers and homosexuals, among others.

“Huckabee should explain why he is socially and professionally associating with known extremists and how this squares with his professed sunny and optimistic vision for America,” said Besen. “While Huckabee makes jokes on the campaign trail, his ties to the fundamentalist fringe is no laughing matter. We hope the media will continue to explore the radical associates of Mike Huckabee.”

In 1998, Mike Huckabee co-wrote the book, “Kids Who Kill” with Reconstructionist author George Grant. Grant is an ideologue with extreme, even dangerous religious views. The question is, does the former Arkansas governor share Grant’s view of the role of Christianity in government? This passage is from Grant’s 1987 book “The Changing of the Guard” (Ft. Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1987), pp. 50-51.

“Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ — to have dominion in the civil structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness. But it is dominion that we are after. Not just a voice. It is dominion we are after. Not just influence. It is dominion we are after. Not just equal time. It is dominion we are after. World conquest. That’s what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish.”

The Cato Institute also reported that Huckabee held a fundraiser at the Houston home of Dr. Steven Hotze, another leader of the radical and dangerous Reconstructionist movement.

“There is a disturbing pattern developing that needs to be further investigated,” said Besen. “With Huckabee’s stunning victory in Iowa,it is crucial that we learn more about what this candidate truly stands for and why he associates with people who promote religious extremism.”

TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization that counters rightwing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit http://www.truthwinsout.org/.

Source: Truth Wins Out

CONTACT: Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out, +1-917-691-5118,
wbesen@truthwinsout.org

Web Site: http://www.truthwinsout.org/

Photo: GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee becomes the first Republicancandidate to sign the Divided We Fail pledge at AARP’s Life@50+ eventin Boston, September 24, 2007. (PRNewsFoto/AARP)

Technorati Tags: Gov. Mike Huckabee, Mike Huckabee, Truth Wins Out, truthwinsout.org, Reconstructionists, Reconstructionists movement, 2008 Presidential election, 2008 election

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Presidential hopefulMike Huckabee visits with Jay Leno during the "The Tonight Show WithJay Leno" at NBC Studios on January 2, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. Huckabee crossed the WGA picket line outside the show, which, to those of us who are pro-union, is called being a "scab." 

But apparently Iowan Republicans like Mike and Jay, based on yesterday's caucus results. 

And, I'm sure Huckabee supporter Gov. Mike Rounds was smilin' wide as well.

Technorati Tags: Mike Huckabee, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Jay Leno, Iowa Caucuses, The Tonight Show, NBC, 2008 Presidential election, 2008 election, Gov. Mike Rounds

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Here’s an excerpt from my latest posting on KELOLAND.com— South Dakotan Or Not, Nancy Nord Must Go

So Nancy Nord, head of the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, is a South Dakotan.

So what.  Even South Dakotans screw up.  We’re not the be all and end all of honesty and hard work.

She’s not doing her job—unsafe toys from China have come into the United States by the shipload.  And to make matters worse—she’s on the take for free trips from the industry she’s supposed to regulate.

Then she has the audacity to tell Congress to say her agency doesn’t need any help.

Nancy the “Sioux Falls native” needs to go and make way for someone else who actually wants to protect consumers—and particularly our children—from unsafe products.

Here’s a sampling of recent news articles about her “You’re Doing a Heck of Job, Brownie,” work in Washington:

• S.D. native at center of recall controversy—WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Sioux Falls native is in the middle of a political battle in Washington this week in the wake of the massive recall of many toys imported from China and Congressional efforts to increase oversight of imported products… . On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for Nord’s resignation.…

• Government safety chiefs took trips paid for by regulated companies—WASHINGTON (AP) - Two chief consumer product safety regulators for the Bush administration accepted dozens of trips paid for by toy makers, children’s furniture manufacturers and other industries they oversee, it was reported Friday.

• Fake Halloween teeth recalled over high lead levels just hours before kids take to streets—WASHINGTON (AP) - Hours before trick-or-treaters began going door to door, the government warned consumers Wednesday that fake Halloween teeth sold by the tens of thousands since last year contain excessive amounts of lead.

• Mattel issues new massive China toy recall - Consumer News - MSNBC.com“—Another week, another recall of Chinese-made toys,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who suggested detaining and inspecting all Chinese toy imports for lead …

And of course, Sen. John Thune, our U.S. Senator with the President’s ear placed firmly in a certain orifice, defends Nord simply because she is A. A Republican and B. A South Dakotan.  “I don’t think removing Nancy Nord is a solution to anything,” Thune said. “Nancy of course is a South Dakotan, I think she’s very conscientious about her job and making sure it’s done the right way.”

Yeah, John, so far, she’s a picture of effectiveness and honesty.  Are you blind? …

Technorati Tags: Nancy Nord, Bush Administration, CPSC, Consumer Product Safety Comission, incompetence, crony capitalism, South Dakota, Sioux Falls

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