SDPB Dakota Midday's Paul Guggenheimer discusses a new Rasmussen poll with "political junkies" Denise Ross and David Kranz. The buzz: McCain leads Obama in South Dakota by just 4 percentage points, 44% to 40%—a statistical dead heat. Compare that to Rasmussen's last check of South Dakota's temperature in March, when McCain held a 10-point lead, 48% to 38%. Rasmussen thus shifts South Dakota from the "Likely Republican" to "Leans Republican" column.
Can Obama be a contender here in Bush country? "When donkeys fly," says Kranz.
Close: an Obama win or even a darn close fight between Obama and McCain in South Dakota could send a lot of Democrat donkeys flying right to Pierre as a new Legislative majority.
But just in case donkeys do start showing some feathery growths... if there are any Clinton holdouts still hunkered down in their bunkers, understand that your vote could matter, even here in South Dakota.
It's quite possible that Obama will win South Dakota. But I suspect it's academic. I think he will win the general election by a landslide.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, an Obama victory in South Dakota would not necessarily translate into a Democratic majority in the state legislature. I doubt there is much of a link between the two. There might even be an inverse relationship.
I have heard: We South Dakotans like to send Democrats to Washington to "bring home the bacon," but we like to elect Republicans in state to ensure that the "bacon" doesn't come from our own hides.
I heard the show on "Dakota Midday" today (Tuesday). I continue to be a little peeved at the apparent taxpayer-supported leftist slant of NPR and SDPB (but not peeved enough to stop listening to them; they're less bad than everybody else). They suggested that the Democrats might take over our state legislature in November. That is a real stretch. The Senate, maybe. The House, not likely.
If Democrats ever gain control of the House, the Senate, and the Governor's office, I believe that a state income tax will follow. I would hate that, unless it's Cory's plan where other state and local taxes go away. (That is your proposal, isn't it, Cory? Correct me if I'm wrong.)
If Obama can fire up voters who usually don't bother, those voters could help local Dems in close local races, even if Obama doesn't win the state.
ReplyDeleteIncome tax—you got it righ, Stan! I'm for an income tax, but I want it to replace, dollar for dollar, our regressive property and sales taxes.
Glad I put the right words in your pen, Cory. As I've said before, I think your idea is fine, although perhaps too idealistic. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI overlooked your other point, that the general enthusiasm for Obama in November could skew the state election by causing a massive Democratic turnout. No doubt about it.
So I herewith issue a wake-up call to any of my fellow Republicans reading this: Get your patooties to the polls in the fall, and tell every Republican you know to do the same.
Even if the Dems get complete control of Washington, the same does not have to happen in South Dakota unless we (Republicans) let it.
Actually, with a do-nothing Republican President and a do-nothing Democratic Congress, I'm surprised more people aren't voting Libertarian!
ReplyDeleteIf the people of SD are so bedazzled by the empty suit Obama and his charm, then they had better not complain when their taxes go up (payroll, Social Security, capital gains, income) to fund all of his promised new social programs. Ever wonder why the leaders of terrorist nations favor Obama over McCain? You should. If he wins and appoints Supreme Court justices, how do you think they would have ruled on the right to own guns?
ReplyDeleteI too beg all Republicans to get out to vote in November. The future direction of our country does depend on it.
If SD ever gets an income tax, you are dreaming if it will replace property or sales taxes. It will simply be another tax on top of what we pay now.
ReplyDeleteAn income tax is inherently unfair also. If we work hard and make money, while Joe Blow down the street doesn't work and sits back and collects his freebies from the gov't, once again those who are responsible will be supporting those who aren't. This is already the way the federal income tax works. Why in the world do we want to add another unfair tax to those who actually pay taxes?
Indirectly, that's what I was saying in my earlier comment. The sales and property taxes would never go away.
ReplyDeleteI will oppose a state income tax in South Dakota until the war is lost (meaning that we stick it to ourselves) or I die, whichever comes later.
As for the Libertarian party, I really consider myself of that stripe, but I have registered and generally vote as a Republican.
A vote for a Libertarian candidate in the upcoming election (instead of a vote for the Republican) would be the equivalent of 1/2 of a vote for the Democrat. So you see, my philosophy is motivated by pragmatism and politics. At least I ain't lyin' to myself.