"The densest fog that South Dakota has to offer"

That's how House Speaker Tim Rave characterized some of the Pierre mornings last night at the Capitol Centennial reception.

Great ongoing reading

For my money, the exchanges between Jonathan Chait of The New Republic and Ross Douthat of The New York Times are some of the best political debates going on right now. The two are firmly in their respective ideological camps (Chait a liberal and Douthat a conservative), but they're not so far apart that they talk past each other (too often, that is). Neither one is afraid to criticize their own side, nor to defend it vigorously. Both men are worth adding to your RSS feeds.

Delegation joins to support disaster aid

From my inbox:

Herseth Sandlin in Pierre Monday

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will visit Pierre Monday to promote the school breakfast program.

National Journal has new political rankings

Every year the National Journal magazine publishes rankings of members of Congress on a liberal-conservative axis. Like all rankings, this isn't even a close-to-perfect picture of what a lawmaker's position is. But this year's results are still interesting.

Interesting polling numbers for SD governor

A day after showing Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin leading all Republican challengers (but not by enough for her to be comfortable), Rasmussen reports has a new report out from the same poll showing a very interesting gubernatorial race.

Rasmussen poll: Herseth Sandlin leads all three challengers

A new poll from Rasmussen Reports on South Dakota's House race shows Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin leading all major challengers by a range of 7 to 22 points eight months before the November election.

Reading list: Oath Keepers

The other day a friend sent me a link to an article in the left-leaning magazine Mother Jones about the "Oath Keepers" movement — a collection of soldiers, law enforcement officers and others who believe that President Obama is planning a coup and who are determined to resist it when it comes.

The Facebook campaign

Sen. John Thune laps every other politician in the state when it comes to fundraising. That's not the only area he leaves the field behind, though — he also trounces other South Dakota politicians in Facebook fans.

Thune on Fox News

Sen. John Thune blasted President Barack Obama’s revised health care reform proposal as worse than previous versions Monday evening in an appearance on Fox News.

That was fast

Less than a week after formally unveiling his Congressional campaign, Sioux Falls minister Steve Hickey has dropped out of the race and endorsed one of his erstwhile rivals, Rep. Kristi Noem, R-Castlewood.

Volesky drops out

I received an email from Ron Volesky, also sent to dozens of other media emails across the state, at 10:38 a.m. Bizarrely, the email was blank from my perspective. But apparently other people can read it; Seth Tupper at the Daily Republic has the text:

Story: Gubernatorial candidates pledge support for business

PIERRE — Four of South Dakota’s gubernatorial candidates pledged their support for low taxes and a business-friendly environment Thursday at a candidate forum sponsored by the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chamber of Commerce gubernatorial forum liveblog

Four gubernatorial candidates — Sen. Dave Knudson, Sen. Scott Heidepriem, Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Sen. Gordon Howie — are speaking at the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce's gubernatorial forum. (Also be sure to check out the results of the Chamber's straw poll of its members.) Brief notes:

SD business community sounds off

Members of the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce sounded off today at the Business Caucus lunch today. I just heard the results presented at the Chamber's legislative dinner in the Ramkota, where momentarily a guvernatorial forum will begin.

Thune not attending conservative conference

A lot of media attention is focused at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where a lot of major national Republican politicians with 2012 aspirations are making appearances.

Where's the South Dakota Democratic Party?

At the Hughes County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner today, some pretty sharp attacks were leveled at Democrats, such as these choice bombs from South Dakota Republican Party chair Bob Gray:

Thune: Won't endorse in primaries

Sen. John Thune said today he's unlikely to make endorsements in South Dakota Republican primaries this year.

Story: Republican bring optimism, attacks to local party dinner

PIERRE — South Dakota Republicans might not have to worry about winning elections this November — if all their candidates show up to vote, they might already have a majority.

Story: Five Republicans in race against Herseth Sandlin

PIERRE — In 2008, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin beat her Republican challenger by more than 30 points.

GOP meeting photos 2

More photos from the Hughes County GOP:

Hughes County GOP liveblog 3

Updated throughout the evening

It wouldn't be a political event...

...without Sen. Frank Kloucek showing up:

Hughes County GOP liveblog 2

Updated throughout the evening

Photos from the GOP dinner

This is one of the rare events where I really, really wish I had a photographer helping me out. Not enough time to take good photos and take all the notes and publish all the posts I need to.

Hughes County GOP liveblog thread 1

I'll be updating this post (and probably some others as this gets crowded) throughout the evening with general notes, so keep checking back.

Political ground zero: Hughes County GOP convention

I'm sitting here in the main ballroom at the Ramkota in Pierre. The room's largely empty, but political campaigns are in full swing. All the tables are littered with literature from everything from gubernatorial and Congressional candidates down to local would-be legislators.

Killer kills own bill

While sitting in the House Transportation committee this morning, I was treated to a relatively unusual sight: a legislator urging the committee to defeat his own bill.

Nelson claims wave of support after NRCC highlights Curd

The National Republican Congressional Committee is saying it hasn't endorsed anybody by placing congressional candidate Blake Curd on a list highlighting promising politicians.

Thune in the Capitol

Sen. John Thune, in town to speak to the Hughes County Republicans' Lincoln Day Dinner tonight, stopped by the Capitol at 1 to speak briefly to the House and Senate Republican caucuses. I'm told he intended to mostly answer questions from the lawmakers — probably not for more than 10 to 15 minutes in each caucus.

Argus Leader: Noem entering Congressional race

Pat Powers continued to demonstrate he's got the best Republican Party sources in the state today (it helps, of course, when you're a fierce advocate for them) with the scoop, confirmed by the Argus Leader, that Rep. Kristi Noem, R-Castlewood, is entering the race against Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Legislative candidate protests GOP "interference" in Congressional primary

I received an interesting press release from District 24 House candidate Jim Sheehan. Sheehan, of course, rose to prominance in the district as the organizer of a "tea party" event in Pierre before deciding to run for legislature.

Chicago Tribune looks at anonymous commenting

Right as the South Dakota blogosphere is convulsed with debate over the Hamiel-Turbak Berry bills, the Chicago Tribune has an article looking at the issue.

More on the Daugaard ad

Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard said today right after the Senate adjourned that his 90-second commercial will air during the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, and several times in between. He won't be bombarding viewers with repeat airings of the spot.

Knudson bill to reorganize department advances

Sen. Dave Knudson's bill to reorganize the Department of Tourism and State Development passed its first hurdle today despite vigorous opposition from Gov. Mike Rounds' chief of staff.

What's a Secretary of State candidate to do with $20,000?

I asked Democratic Secretary of State candidate Ben Nesselhuf that exact question at Thursday evening's Hughes and Stanley County Democrats legislative dinner.

Daugaard going on the air

There's no point raising money if you don't ever use it for anything, and Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard is the first out of the gate in the 2010 governor's race with a big TV ad campaign.

Polar Plunge politicos

Here's some shots of South Dakota politicians leaping into ice water Wednesday as part of the Polar Plunge fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

"Joni the Fairy Princess"

Bob Mercer, reporting from the House floor, notes that Rep. Joni Cutler, R-Sioux Falls, walked onto the floor wearing a tiara and pink translucent wings.

Senate committee kills alternate redistricting proposal

PIERRE — Legislators defeated a bill Wednesday to change how legislative districts are drawn.

From today's print edition: Tea party enthusiasm

My story in today's print edition covered gubernatorial candidate Gordon Howie's campaign rally in Fort Pierre last night:

Want to see Dennis Daugaard jump in the Missouri?

If you do, better break out your checkbook. This Wednesday in Pierre by the American Legion cabin is the second annual Polar Plunge event, part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run fundraising drive for the Special Olympics.

Daschle stuck in D.C. snow

The Daily Republic has a great catch today — footage from a Washington, D.C. Fox affiliate of a correspondent (citizen correspondent?) driving around in the big blizzard the East Coast had this weekend, coming across a stuck motorist — and finding it was ex-Sen. Tom Daschle. The man helped push Daschle's car out, on camera.

Online nymity

The South Dakota blogosphere is all a-twitter over two new bills introduced past the last minute by Rep. Noel Hamiel and Sen. Nancy Turbak Berry.

Herseth Sandlin's shift on the EPA

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin this week announced she was signing on to a bill to curtail the Environmental Protection Agency after the agency's new Renewable Fuel Standard rule incorporated a controversial factor called "international indirect land use" that could threaten corn ethanol.

Obama appoints Rounds to 'Council of Governors'

Just got this press release from the governor's office about Gov. Mike Rounds being appointed by President Barack Obama to a 10-member "Council of Governors." The council includes five Democratic governors and five Republican governors.

Rounds: Campaign funds maintaining list of supporters

Bob Mercer had a great catch a few days ago, noting that Gov. Mike Rounds had filed a campaign finance report reflecting $439,875 in the bank and expenditures of $92,043 — including $69,298 on "salaries."

Quiet day at the legislature this afternoon

Just had an update from Senate Majority Leader Dave Knudson and House Assistant Majority Leader Kristi Noem. Both houses, convening early at 12:30 p.m. today, expect to do little more than address their consent calendars today before adjourning.

Pat Powers gets his recognition

Blogger/campaign manager Pat Powers, after his earlier (joking) complaints, got himself introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Brock Greenfield.

The culprit found!

House Speaker Tim Rave declined to name names but revealed the cause of yesterday's voting machine outage: a legislator from the back of the room on the far left column of desks spilled pop on the circuit board.

Mitt Romney to fundraise for Thune

The National Journal's Hotline On Call blog reports that ex-Massachusetts governor and potential 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be visiting Sioux Falls Feb. 19 to raise money for Sen. John Thune.

Thune to spread the wealth

So what exactly IS Sen. John Thune going to do with the $5 million he has in the bank despite no credible challenger? I asked him about that on today's conference call with the South Dakota press.

Thune and rights for terrorists

Sen. Thune's weekly conference call starts in an hour, which to me says there's no better time than to finally write up an exchange I had with him on LAST week's conference call. (Yes, I know, I get behind on non-deadline stuff.)

Tim Rounds files underage drinking bill

Rep. Tim Rounds remains convinced his bill to allow 19- and 20-year-olds to drink is the right thing to do. And despite doubts among his peers in the Legislature, Rounds said many of them agree with him.

Rule 5-17

HB1002 was scheduled to be reconsidered today after its narrow, bipartisan one-vote defeat Monday. The bill, which permits liquor sales on Sundays, Memorial Day and Christmas Day, was the subject of heated debate, so its backers brought an amendment weakening the language. Instead of making those sales legal unless a community opted out, it would give communities that wanted to permit sales on any or all of those days the ability to opt in.

"I don't see a problem at all"

Voting on a noncontroversial house bill on the consent calendar, HB1089, was just interrupted by a spate of voting machine problems. When a legislator is unable to vote by the machine, he or she calls out his or her vote and the clerk enters it in manually. For every vote there's usually one or two legislators calling out their votes. This time, though, there was a chorus.

Thune's fundraising: a visual guide

In today's Capital Journal, my article on campaign fundraising was accompanied by a graphic I made showing each major candidate's fundraising graphically. It looked like this.

Munsterman raises $55,254; spends $123,137

Ex-Brookings mayor Scott Munsterman's report wasn't online for my fundraising wrapup that ran in today's paper, due to what Munsterman said was a clerical error requiring him to refile the report. But it's online now, and it's an interesting report — even more interesting than last year's report would have been.

Bipartisan disagreement

Rep. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, came up to me a little while ago with an interesting fact.

Separated at birth, cont.

When Pat Powers suggested a certain resemblance between myself and Public Utilities Commissioner Dusty Johnson, I was skeptical and didn't quite see it. But I'm increasingly prepared to surrender the point: Rep. Ed Iron Cloud just walked up to me to tell me about a State-Tribal Relations Committee meeting — but prefaced his remarks by saying that he had just walked up to Johnson, thinking he was me, and gotten a few minutes into his pitch before Johnson said, "I think you're looking for David Montgomery."

Delegation statements on President's budget

From my inbox to your RSS feed or browser, here's what South Dakota's representatives in D.C. think about President Obama's proposed budget.

Curd cash breakdown

According to the Curd campaign, Congressional candidate Rep. Blake Curd has raised $144,331.50 for the primary election and $37,050 for the general election.

Primary cash and general election cash

In my last post, I said I'd revisit the issue of funds raised for the primary election versus the general election. Then I didn't. Whoops.

Checking the numbers: Big and small donations

Secretary of State and congressional candidate Chris Nelson has a post up on his Facebook page after getting significantly outraised in the fourth quarter of 2010 by his primary rival Rep. Blake Curd:

Herseth Sandlin raises $224,424.05 in fourth quarter

Alright, let's try posting about fundraising again, slightly less hastily.

The perils of jumping the gun

For about nine hours, this post was an elaborate analysis of gubernatorial candidate Scott Munsterman's fundraising numbers, how they compared to other candidates and what they meant for his candidacy.

Getting his name out

One of my stories in today's paper was about a significant new multimillion-dollar marina/shopping/restaurant development planned for Fort Pierre.

Knuppe raises $14,183.84

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Knuppe's dark horse candidacy had a quiet 2009 in fundraising, bringing in $14,183.84. That's just more than the $13,426.46 he spent, leaving him $6,170.40 cash on hand.

Bernanke confirmed 70-30

The Senate just confirmed Ben Bernanke for a second term by a 70-30 vote, after a cloture motion succeeded 77-23.

Knudson raises more than $500,000 in 2009

In a conference call with reporters, Sen. Dave Knudson just said he raised "in excess of $500,000" for his gubernatorial campaign in 2009.

Knudson leading push to reorganize Tourism & Economic Development

Sen. Dave Knudson introduced a bill today, SB140, which would significantly reorganize the Department of Tourism and Economic Development into independent departments.

Thune to vote against confirming Bernanke

Republican Sen. John Thune plans to vote against the reconfirmation of controversial Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke this afternoon.

Congressional responses to the State of the Union

Here's how South Dakota's congressional delegation responded to Obama's State of the Union address this evening:

Senate skipping town early tomorrow

It's going to be a short week for one house of the Legislature.

Legislative picture time!

It seems like school all over again as the members of the House of Representatives arrange themselves for an official portrait. Everyone lined up next to their desks, closed the desk-tops, and smiled up at the rear balcony as Speaker Tim Rave tried to take attendance and see if anyone was missing. Unlike school pictures, however, the whole thing was done in less than five minutes and no one (to my knowledge) brought out a beachball or tried to make a goofy face.

Tax hikes in Oregon

Oregon voters on Tuesday approved two measures raising taxes both on wealthy individuals and on corporations.

Thune vs. Obama on budget cuts

Earlier today I took a look at some rhetoric from Sen. John Thune's open letter to President Obama about the budget. Here's a look at the substance of one of Thune's proposals:

Johnson announces birth of sixth grandchild

Release from Sen. Tim Johnson's office:

Daugaard raises $710,000 in 2009

I'm apparently not on the Daugaard campaign's media email list, but I see from near-simultaneous posts on Bob Mercer's and the Daily Republic's blogs that Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard raised more than $700,000 for his gubernatorial campaign in 2009, giving him $1.2 million cash on hand.

Who's to blame for the deficit?

The short answer: everyone.

Heidepriem raises $339,000

Sen. Scott Heidepriem's campaign is out today with a press release declaring he raised around $339,000 for his gubernatorial campaign in 2009.

Thune keeps raking in funds

Sen. John Thune, still without a declared Democratic challenger for reelection in 2010, continued his strong fundraising in the fourth quarter of 2009. Later today his campaign will announce they've raised around $898,000, leaving them a war chest of $6 million.

Senate defers and adjourns, too

The Senate, which had barely mustered a quorum of 18 members with the late arrival of Sen. Mike Vehle, just followed the House's example and adjourned after deferring all action — even the consent calendar.

House defers all action to tomorrow

I'm now sitting in the House, which has a quorum (by a fair margin, it looks like) and is on routine business like approval of reports.

Daugaard: "I think we're going to have a quorum"

Legislators are whipping out cell phones to call their comrades who aren't here, seeing who's going to show up late and who not at all.

A lot of empty seats in the Capitol

It's about 4:30 now, when both houses of the Legislature are scheduled to convene. And there's a lot of empty seats. They'll count in a moment to see if they have the necessary 18 senators and 36 representatives to convene.

Curd outraises Nelson in fourth quarter [Corrected]

Congressional candidate and state Rep. Blake Curd raised $125,000 more than primary rival and Secretary of State Chris Nelson in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Legislative session today still on... for now

I just called the Legislative Research Council to ask about today's scheduled 4:30 p.m. (CST) meeting of the House and Senate. All committee meetings today were cancelled and the sessions of the full houses were pushed last week back from their normal early afternoon starts due to bad whether, which was expected to make travel difficult.

Impact of winter weather on state budget

On a media briefing about the ongoing storm, Greg Fuller with the state Department of Transportation was just asked how the severe weather South Dakota has had over the last month will impact the department's budget.

Rounds to lawmakers: No new spending

When past legislatures have passed budgets exceeding Gov. Mike Rounds’ proposals, he has worked with them.

Gov. Rounds' "Top 10 Changes I'll Face As A Former Governor"

Thursday night saw the Ramkota in Pierre packed for the awards gala of the 2010 Governor's Conference on Tourism.

Full story: Thune TARP amendment fails

PIERRE — An amendment sponsored by Sen. John Thune to end the controversial Troubled Asset Relief Program failed in the Senate Thursday.

Thune amendment fails to get 60 votes

Sen. John Thune's bill to end the controversial Troubled Asset Relief Program picked up 53 votes in the Senate but failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to cut off debate. The measure was withdrawn.

Republican praise for Europe

American conservatives aren't known for their love of Europe. In fact, Europe seems to be a frequent punching bag for conservatives who see it as some combination of socialist, godless, pacifist and decadent.

Supreme Court overturns campaign finance law

Huge news from the Supreme Court this morning: in a 5-4 decision the court ruled that corporations (and probably labor unions) can spend freely on political advertisements from their general fund rather than having to set up political action committees.

Packed house at the sex offender hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing on bills relevant to the sex offender registry is pretty full, including with some legislative leaders. In addition to Senate Minority Leader Scott Heidepriem, who's on the committee, House Majority Leader Bob Faehn and House Minority Leader Bernie Hunhoff are both in the room watching. This is one of the most interesting non-budget issues facing the legislature this year, and the crowd's interest seems to reflect that.

Thune formally introduces bill to end TARP

Sen. John Thune just finished speaking on CSPAN-2 introducing his bill to end the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program, which would direct the $320 billion of unspent TARP money to debt reduction and end further TARP spending.

How much would you pay for news?

The New York Times announced today it will, by 2011, start charging for access to its Web site.

A Pyrrhic victory in Massachusetts?

This is pure counterintuitive speculation on my part (one of my favorite hobbies!), but here's a scenario where the GOP's triumph yesterday in Massachusetts could end up hurting them.

Herseth Sandlin still a no...

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin today said the current Senate bill doesn't do enough to win her vote for health care reform. In a statement she had several objections but only highlighted one: the so-called "Nebraska compromise" in which the federal government will pick up the cost of expanding Medicaid for Nebraska but not other states.

Johnson: options remain for health care reform

PIERRE — The election of Republican Scott Brown as a new senator from Massachusetts Tuesday has cast doubt on Democratic plans to pass comprehensive health care reform, but Sen. Tim Johnson said Democrats have several options left to pass a final bill.

Curd statement on Mass. senate

"I join with many South Dakotans tonight in celebrating the victory of Massachusetts Senator-Elect Scott Brown.  This is an important win for America and for South Dakota, for Brown will be the 41st Republican Senator, and so throws a wrench into the Pelosi-Reid-Obama plans for the worst health care bill in American history.

Thune TARP amendment up for a vote

Want to see whether Senate Democrats will be running scared after Republican Scott Brown's victory yesterday? Watch today or tomorrow, when Sen. John Thune's bill ending the TARP program comes up for a vote today. He's been pushing this for a while and hasn't been given the time of day by Democratic leadership; many of his measures never made it out of committee. Today he's due for a vote, and I can definitely see it passing. (Whether or not President Obama will sign it is another matter.)

Chris Nelson hails Brown victory

Spin however Democrats might (and they will try), Scott Brown's victory in Massachusetts is unqualified good news for Republicans. As someone who used to hold Scott Brown's new seat, President John Kennedy, once said (though I'm sure he didn't originate this), "Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan."

How reconciliation would work

Jeff Davis at The New Republican has a fascinating post on the options for Democrats if they can't get a 60th vote for health care now.

Brown wins in Massachusetts

The AP is reporting that Republican Scott Brown has beaten Democrat Martha Coakley in the Massachusetts Senate race.

Johnson, Thune find common cause: Haitian orphans

South Dakota's two senators are on opposite sides of the bitter partisan fight in Congress over health care reform, but today both Sen. Tim Johnson and Sen. John Thune are pushing the same cause: Haitian orphans.

Howie calls for more cuts

PIERRE — Gubernatorial candidate Sen. Gordon Howie (profiled here) called today for sharp budget cuts this year.

What do you do when no one understands a bill?

That's a question the Senate Education Committee just dealt with when debating SB25. A bill to repeal what Education Secretary Tom Oster said is a provision in the law that no one follows, it got a "Do Pass" motion right away — and then half an hour of questions as legislators realized they didn't know exactly what the bill did.

Just asking...

But why is the prospect of Massachusetts (a reliably Democratic state) electing a Republican senator so much more shocking than the prospect of a reliably Republican state like South Dakota, Nebraska or Louisiana electing a Democratic senator?

Interesting idea out of Nebraska

The Associated Press is reporting that Nebraska legislators are considering county consolidation, reducing the state's 100+ counties down to 30 or so. Proponents claim it will save money while preserving local control; opponents say it won't save any money while making government less local and less convenient.

Pierre real estate appraiser to run for District 24 House

Pierre real estate appraiser Terry Leibel is the fourth District 24 Republican to declare his candidacy for the two state House seats opening up in November.

The curious excise tax compromise

Democratic negotiators in Washington have apparently come up with a compromise to bring labor unions on board with the excise tax on high-value health care plans that unions — who often have negotiated high value plans — have been fiercely opposed to.

Hunhoff: Proposed Dem budget caps not ironclad

Republicans yesterday criticized Democratic proposals to cap increases in government spending at 3 percent or the rate of inflation as tying the hands of government. Sen. Dave Knudson, a gubernatorial candidate, likened it to putting on a straitjacket and then diving into a river.

Republicans call for budget cuts

Legislative Republicans broke with Gov. Mike Rounds Friday and called for significant budget cuts this year to eliminate the state’s $32 million structural deficit.

Herseth Sandlin might vote for health care reform? Not a huge surprise.

Republicans have been beating the drum over the last several days about reports that moderate Democratic Representatives such as Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin who voted against the House version of health care reform last year might vote in favor of the compromise bill.

Knudson retiring from law

The Argus Leader's Jonathan Ellis has the scoop that Sen. Dave Knudson, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, is retiring from his business law practice to focus on his campaign for governor. Now I know what Ellis and Knudson were huddling about after the Republican leadership's press conference today.

Levity in the Senate

Sen. Thomas Dempster, R-Sioux Falls, just delivered a statement to the senators encouraging them to attend a reception tonight at the Cultural Heritage Center. Dempster said senators should go there to learn about how Pierre became the state capitol — and then recited, in a less than scintillating statement, the vote totals for each of the towns in the running for state capitol in one of the several popular votes taken in the 19th century.

One way to solve FTE growth...

...declare it doesn't exist.

"Thune 2012" bandwagon grows among insiders

Sen. John Thune's name keeps getting tossed around more and more as a 2012 dark horse candidate. The senator himself insists he's focusing only on his 2010 reeelection campaign but in a recent conference call with reporters refused to make a Shermanesque statement ruling anything out.

Fact-checking Rounds on ACT scores

One surprising claim Gov. Mike Rounds made in his State of the State address is that South Dakota's ACT scores are better than any other state with the same or higher number of students taking the ACT test.

Rounds and DUSEL

Gov. Mike Rounds has been talking about the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Lab at Homestake for some time now during his State of the State. It's a subject about which he seems genuinely excited — and more excited every time he talks about it.

Not tooting his own horn

Gov. Mike Rounds told reporters Monday he wasn't going to take a victory lap in his State of the State speech today.

State of the State quick hits

Quick hits about Gov. Rounds' State of the State address beginning now:

Governor: Across-the-board cuts not the answer

PIERRE -- Gov. Mike Rounds said Monday he’s skeptical about some lawmakers’ calls for broader spending cuts this year.

Wasson endorses Curd

As Bob Ellis reported last night, Thad Wasson has ended his long-shot campaign for Congress.

Breaking: Sen. Johnson moving up?

Could 2011 be the year Sen. Tim Johnson finally gets a committee chairmanship?

How Democrats will (try to) move health care reform to passage

An explanation of all the procedural back-and-forth. Beware: this gets complicated.

Breaking: Thune in Iraq

Sen. John Thune's office just announced that the Republican senator traveled to Iraq today on a Congressional tour with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

Health care reform beyond the polemics

My article in today's print edition of the Capital Journal looks at some of the ways the health care reform bill will impact South Dakota (and the country) beyond the high profile debates over taxes, Medicare cuts, public options (and/or lack thereof), mandates, and so forth.

Getting the poll results you want...

Polling is a really useful tool for understanding politics. But polls can also be misleading — especially when you move away from simple favorability ratings and political horse race questions to asking people about issues they might not understand.

My story on the PPP polls

PIERRE — Six months away from the gubernatorial primaries, a majority of South Dakota voters have yet to form an opinion about any of the candidates seeking to run the state, a new poll finds.