Jun 19
GOP curiosities
By Denise Ross
Not having grown up around insider party politics, I’m not well-versed in the traditions of state party conventions. I always find explanations of the mechanics and logistics the most fascinating cultural artifacts.
So perhaps it is tradition, the way the SD GOP has structured its speakers for its convention this weekend.
On Friday, the convention kicks off with breakfast with Joel Dykstra, candidate for U.S. Senate. Chris Lien, candidate for U.S. House, will be the featured speaker at a noon luncheon. U.S. Senator John Thune will be attending a special reception at the South Dakota Hall of Fame and the Governor’s Banquet on Friday evening will feature Gov. Mike Rounds.
Isn’t it odd that the one guy who won’t be running for anything in the future has the prime speaking slot? That might very well be tradition. Probably is. But still …
Chris Lien and Joel Dykstra both have uphill battles heading into November, which is not typical for most Republicans running for anything in SD. Perhaps the state GOP isn’t used to having to maximize every opportunity.
Even more surprising is that Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, running for gov in 2010, is nowhere on the program. He’s made the Lincoln Day rounds plenty, but he could lay out some kind of policy initiative or announce some new project he would take on as Lt. Gov. Couldn’t hurt the fund-raising equation.
And Thune, potential VP candidate, I don’t know, shouldn’t the SD GOP be making very, very much of him? He’s the giant killer on the verge of turning into a giant himself.
That’s my arm-chair convention planning - worth what you paid for it. For the party faithful’s sake, I hope Gov. Rounds does NOT say anything about “working together,” as people will still be digesting their dinners. And even loyal soldiers can stomach only so much.
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Interesting points. I think this is the way they always do it - particularly the Governor speaking at the last banquet. As for Daugaard, he may not have a speaking event but he is the chairman of the convention, so he will be getting plenty of exposure as well.
Maybe Rounds could change it up a bit just this one time, and at the conclusion of his droning speech he could ask if all the Highway Patrolmen could please stand.
Denise, seriously, where is all this “Thune might be VP” stuff coming from? Other than the SD press, I’m just not hearing even a peep about such a possibility.
Have you guys been smoking the JT kool-aid?
(…yes, that’s my favorite Sibby style mixed metaphor.)
Fleming - Big points for the mixed metaphor. Keep ‘em coming.
As for Thune-as-VP, Chris Matthews has already declared that he WILL be McCain’s choice, period. So there’s that. Plus when JT turns up on national cable TV, his intro always includes the obligatory “possible vice presidential pick” descriptor. Then there was that Washington Post list from a few weeks back. It ain’t just me and my esteemed colleagues in the SD press / blogosphere who’ve been smoking Murdo Kool-aid.
I know the SD Dem / liberal crowd hears nails on a chalkboard whenever talk of any John Thune accomplishment goes on. I’m afraid you’ll have to endure this VP talk until McCain chooses somebody, and that somebody busts through a cinderblock wall serving up pitchers full of cherry-flavored, sugary yumminess that will leave us all with attractive red mustaches. -Denise