By Denise Ross

It takes more than just a nice guy to helm a state in the midst of economic troubles. That was Sen. Dave Knudson’s clear message as he’s wading neck-deep into a 2010 primary against the sitting lieutenant governor, Dennis Daugaard, who happens to be a very nice guy.

Knudson, the Senate majority leader, contends that Daugaard lacks the leadership skills that the times call for, however.

Jobs are really the over-riding issue in the 2010 campaign. The whole reason we have revenue problems is because people are out of work. … It would be my first priority to go out and drive South Dakota’s economic development. … I think the times call for a strong leader.

The challenge that confronts state government calls for not just somebody who’s a nice guy but for somebody who can confront and solve problems.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Knudson of Sioux Falls took several meetings at the Dunn Bros. coffee shop during his three-day campaign swing through the Black Hills.

Knudson spent the first part of this week hob-nobbing around the Black Hills. He offered up few details, although he did say he met with Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks. Beyond that, he answered questions about his meetings with phrases like “one-on-ones,” “a dinner” and “some small groups.” Very well, then.

So Knudson knows he needs to work to defeat Daugaard, who’s been raising money for years and who has the vocal support of Gov. Mike Rounds.

I don’t want to minimize the challenges, but they would be much more difficult to overcome in good times. The times call for leadership, and that’s me.

Knudson has already peeled off former Rounds chief of staff Rob Skjonsberg and former Rounds press secretary Mark Johnston. And he made a splash by collecting, I’m told, an eyebrow-raising $250,000 at a recent Sioux Falls fund-raiser. He held off on asking for money while in the Black Hills this time, though.

You want to make converts and gain supporters. … I’m not that well-known out here.

As he gets to know us West River types, Knudson is pushing his experience as a business lawyer and his work promoting the business climate of Sioux Falls. He has 34 years putting deals together as a lawyer; he is on the board of directors for the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and he’s on the steering committee for Forward Sioux Falls.

He also says he has the ability “to bridge different views.”  For example, Sioux Falls’ giant Sanford Health has long been a client of his, but on July 7 the CEO of the Avera Heart Hospital - a Sanford rival - is hosting a fund-raiser for Knudson.

That’s an example of my ability to get people to understand my strong commitment to fairness.

Given all the media attention Knudson’s gotten himself with his West River tour - and the increasing attention that will now be paid to the GOP primary (which also includes Brookings mayor Scott Munsterman and Buffalo Gap rancher Ken Knuppe), I’d say we should be hearing more from Dennis Daugaard very soon.

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