By Denise Ross

Well, not quite. But Rep. Brian Dreyer, R-Rapid City, normally the picture of podium composure and maker of substantive comments, had difficulty walking away from Saturday’s crackerbarrel in Rapid City as his foot was in his mouth.

Well into a multi-layered discussion about legislative committee procedures, the size of hearing rooms, term limits and night committee meetings, freshmen legislator Dreyer tried to defend the current protocol - which does not make regular practice of nighttime committee hearings.

In trying to agree with Sen. Mac McCracken, R-Rapid City, who had spoken before him, Dreyer might have achieved the technically difficult rhetorical maneuver of deference wrapped in an insult.

McCracken, who has 8 years under his belt and chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, said:

It’s up to the committee chairs to stay on schedule.

Dreyer then said:

You can train any chimp to run a committee.

Rep. Jeff Haverly, R-Rapid City, was then kind enough to provide Dreyer with a spoon, the most suitable utensil in reach with which to continue digging a hole.

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