Clip N Save

Clip N Save

Some short takes:

Talk Left has GOP debate lowlights, though I disagree on her assessment of Mike Huckabee; his Genesis 1:1 answer played well to his intended audience. And I think his answer linking "right to life" (sic) with concern for homelessness, etc. was sincere, though I doubt his policies would have the intended effect. She also offers highlights; two from Ron Paul and John McCain's inclusive stance on immigration.

My Iowa Indy colleage Doug Burns suns up the debate more thoughfully if less immediately than I did; "McCain wins varsity, Huckabee the JV."

And you can always count on Rush Limbaugh, who says liberals are jealous of Fred Thompson's much-younger spouse "because she's a babe ... Look, liberals, they're envious as hell of our women, folks. Everybody knows this. It's one of the best kept secrets going on in politics."

Three words, Rush: Stephanie. Herseth. Sandlin. Sigh...

Herseth Married, Blogger Devastated

Long time fans of John Deeth Blog may recall my unrequited crush on Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), who gets elected in a red state, is age appropriate, and was the winner of the 2004 "Hottest Woman in American Politics" poll at Ron Gunzberger's Politics1 site.

Sadly, my love is in vain:

Herseth was married to former U.S. Representative Max Sandlin on Saturday. Sandlin is a former Congressman from Texas.

And I can't even begrudge the lucky groom: Max was a good Texas Democrat who got gerrymandered out of office by Tom DeLay.

So now it's Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, a smart red state move that still keeps the valuable Herseth name of her `50s governor grandpa out there. The politico in me must congratulate the happy couple, even through my tears of heartbreak.

I may be too devastated to blog for days, even weeks.

In politics, good looks can help

In politics, good looks can help

Good looks really do matter when it comes to politics, Australian researchers have found, and can add an extra 1.5 percent to 2 percent to a candidate's vote...

No wonder I lost... did I mention Stephanie Herseth was re-elected in a landslide?

Here's what's up at the Central Committee:

JC Dems Chair Jen Hemmingsen stepping down in March; no dirt, no fight, just wants more normal time for family stuff.

House 89 challenger Mark Nolte says he "will be on the ballot again". Interesting note: he raised about $13,000 and won 44%; House 79 challenger Clara Oleson raised nearly three times as much yet won only 38% - even worse than I did (my district overlapped parts of these two).

Chris plays the thermometer meme.

Herseth winning big

Herseth winning big

Gratuitous Stephanie Herseth post, with gratuitious pictures:



She's winning 60-26. In a very red state. And that picture with George McGovern is still at the top of her front page.

Herseth's strength registered across all regions of the state listed in the poll, with the lowest, 53 percent, in western South Dakota. Whalen, of Pine Ridge, had 31 percent there.

She attracted support from 34 percent of the Republicans surveyed and 89 percent of Democrats. Whalen was favored by 46 percent of Republicans - with 20 percent undecided.

Independents went to Herseth 71 percent to 18 percent, with the remainder undecided.

Hopefully Iowa's Whalen will do just as poorly.

Stephanie Herseth In Close Race

Stephanie Herseth In Close Race

It's been just about two years since my obsession with Rep. Stephanie Herseth peaked with her special election win. I've had other obsessions since (Oasis, anyone?) but Herseth remains noteworthy as a Dem who wins in a very red state. She's also, well, rather attractive.

Herseth is the defending incumbent in Politics1's "Hottest Woman in American Politics" poll and she's up for re-election this weekend. Unfortunately, the Democrats are splitting their votes while Republicans have largely united behind one candidate (not NEARLY as well qualified). Vote often and early, polls close Monday night. Stephanie Herseth has an excellent record on this issue (rrrowr) and this is one election we just can't lose to the GOP.

Note 1: the guys are next week.

Note 2: Much more significantly, Congressional Quarterly rates Herseth as "Democrat Favored" for re-election; okay but it's tough turf. So maybe shoot her some bucks. Here's her site. For incentive there's lots of pictures of her there. Not Congresswomen Gone Wild or anything but there's a nice one of her with that other noted South Dakota Dem, George McGovern, right on the top of the front page. Which is a really cool thing for a red state Dem to do.

Emanuel trims his Frontline

Emanuel trims his Frontline

The House Dems need to go on offense in order to get back to 218, but here's a peek at the strategy on defense:

Reps. Melissa Bean (Ill.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Chet Edwards (Texas), Stephanie Herseth (S.D.), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Charlie Melancon (La.), Dennis Moore (Kan.), and John Salazar (Colo.) were informed last week that they will receive direct donations from their fellow incumbents, in addition to other campaign assistance...

Interesting to see Leonard on that short of a list...

Politics

South Dakota Politics and Elections | Herseth hangs on; heads to House

Herseth hangs on; heads to House

"Herseth will likely leave today for Washington to immediately take the oath of office and move into Janklow's former office... In joining Democratic senators Tim Johnson and Tom Daschle, Herseth gives the state an all-Democrat congressional delegation for the first time since 1937..."

A squeaker that kept me up too late but a BIG win in a Red State.

I rarely get the chance anymore but I used to love watching election returns, trying to keep track state by state and race by race. It was fun to get a little fix of that last night.

Next week of course I'm In The Bubble but since all our contests are local it doesn't matter. In The Bubble is in the know. In November, of course, immersion in The Bubble will be total. I'll be spouting precinct stats for my town but will have no idea what's going on Outside. In 2000 it was well after midnight before I had any idea than anything weird was happening. "Huh? Florida? Wha?"

Narrow loss will do, says Diedrich in S.D.=The Hill.com=

Narrow loss will do, says SD Republican

"Republican congressional hopeful Larry Diedrich is effectively conceding defeat in today’s South Dakota special House election before the polling booths even open.

The former state senator dramatically ratcheted down expectations during an interview with The Hill at his campaign headquarters, saying he would be happy to lose to Democrat Stephanie Herseth by only five percentage points."

The Big Day in SD

If anyone in South Dakota is reading this, please, PLEASE go vote for Stephanie Herseth tomorrow...

watch this site for completely non-comprehensive coverage Tuesday (i.e. whatever I can find from actual news sources)

Poll puts Herseth in lead

Herseth leads Diedrich 52 percent to 41 percent, according to a poll of 503 likely voters conducted May 19 and 20...

Argus Leader - Editorials

"Herseth is the choice"...

Herseth leads in poll

A big lead for the Most Attractive Woman In American Politics:

With two months remaining in the campaign for South Dakota's U.S. House seat, Democrat Stephanie Herseth has maintained a healthy lead over Republican Larry Diedrich.

Herseth leads Diedrich 53 percent to 37 percent, according to a poll of 501 likely voters conducted last weekend by Zogby International. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent. 8 percent are undecided.

48 percent said they were unfamiliar with Diedrich, who has not run for a statewide office before. Twelve percent were unfamiliar with Herseth, who ran unsuccessfully against Republican Bill Janklow in 2002...

Cheney disses Herseth Rival

"Larry Diedrich, Republican candidate for U.S. House, will not be part of Cheney's fund-raising visit to Sioux Falls, but he said the Bush-Cheney campaign will be assisting his campaign in other ways..."

Fourth down and long yardage...

Herseth has wide lead

"Significant support from Republicans, women and Sioux Falls residents, combined with the low name recognition of her opponent, gives Stephanie Herseth a 58-29% lead in the U.S. House special-election race, according to a poll of likely South Dakota voters..."

And here's ANOTHER chance to pick one up. He's not nearly as good-looking as Stephanie, but Ben Chandler is ahead in Tuesday's special in Kentucky...

Herseth holds 10-1 advantage in money

"Herseth released her first fund-raising report for the campaign, showing she had raised $352,358 in the fourth quarter of 2003. She also reported $354,023 on hand."

Hey, that's countin' my 25 bucks.

Republicans choose Diedrich

Herseth says she is looking forward to the race.

"I have been ready for a couple of months now. We have gotten our office open, we have many volunteers ready, and I am more than ready for the next four months," she said.

Who can beat Herseth?

"Republicans pick a candidate Saturday for South Dakota's open seat in Congress..."

Thune says he will not run for Janklow seat

"Thune's decision gives House Democrats a boost of momentum in the June 1 special election. Stephanie Herseth has been running on the Democratic side for more than a month, and even Republicans acknowledge that she currently leads all of their potential candidates."

The down side:

"Thune has not ruled out challenging Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle next year..."

Jury Finds Janklow Guilty

Not to gloat or dance on Janklow's political grave, but:

"Democrat Stephanie Herseth, who ran a surprisingly close race against Janklow in 2002, had announced that she would run again. She would be the early favorite to take the seat, which has been in Republican hands since 1996..." more

Stephanie's back!

"Democrat Stephanie Herseth said Thursday that she will again run for South Dakota's lone U.S. House seat. The 32-year-old Houghton native surprised many observers in 2002 by running a competitive race against Janklow, the state's longtime Republican governor and sitting member of the U.S. House..."

She's a great candidate with an impeccable South Dakota pedigree (Grandpa was governor). And at the risk of going out on a limb, she's also quite attractive. Hmm. South Dakota is right next door, maybe I could go volunteer?