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Rick Weiland: Queerest Candidate in South Dakota!

Score another first for Rick Weiland: he is the first South Dakota politician I've ever heard referred to as "campy" and "queer." Not just campy and queer, but the campiest candidate in America and the queerest candidate in South Dakota. This is a good thing, says LGBT advocate Bil Browning:

For a straight man, Weiland is the queerest candidate in a bunch of stodgy conservative sourpusses and he's not afraid to tell anyone about his liberal plan to change the country. Weiland is tapped into what makes the LGBT community such a potent political force - the ability to be a little campy while fighting for justice for all people.

While Weiland is more than happy to talk about LGBT rights, he has zeroed in on the role of big money in politics and the damage it's causing to our government - a common refrain now from progressive politicians. Weiland, however, does it with such campy style that even the cynical find themselves falling under his spell [Bil Browning, "Rick Weiland: America's Campiest Political Candidate," The Bilerico Project, 2014.05.04].

Browning totally grooves to Weiland's Everywhere Man video. He also grooves to Weiland's roadtrip and to justice for everyone, as do a lot of voters and campaign donors.

Rick Weiland boring? Better drop that meme, Pat. Weiland is hitting notes that excite activists like Browning who see the tide rolling in their favor (Oregon! Utah! Idaho!) and may see a chance to pair a South Dakota electoral win to an impending courtroom victory.

Now if we could just get Stace Nelson to win the primary so we could see Nelson and Weiland go man on man. That battle would put Nelson's trumpeting of the Reagan line about flying "no pale pastels" in a whole new perspective.

15 Comments

  1. Kal Lis 2014.05.20

    Cue the South Dakota right wing nuclear meltdown in 5 ...4...3....2.....

  2. Bill Fleming 2014.05.20

    Hahaha. Great! Go Rick.

  3. Nick Nemec 2014.05.20

    Pat's benefactor, Mike Rounds, has to be the most boring man in America. Head in the sand, back bench, "please just show me where the bathrooms are" Mike Rounds is being, and will be, paid to shut up and sit down.

  4. Todd Epp 2014.05.20

    At least Rick's got that going for him. :) More significant is the coming lawsuit filed by the Rapid City couple challenging the ban on gay marriage in SD. With this group of federal district judges in SD, I put my money on a victory for the couple. (And maybe SD won't be 51st in the nation to recognize gay marriage afterall.) Then, it's up to the stodgy ol' 8th Circuit, which my guess will overturn the decision. That sets up an appeal to the Supreme Court, which I'm guessing, if they take the case to eliminate a conflict in the circuits, will affirm the district federal court and we have our own Brown v. Board of Education, right here in SD.

  5. Nick Nemec 2014.05.20

    Todd, do you know if the SD case will be heard in the Rapid City Federal Court? And it that's the case does that mean Judge Jeff Viken will decide the case?

  6. mike from iowa 2014.05.20

    The wingnut party just gets paler and older as the years go by. They can't seem to learn from their mistakes and are willing and ready to sacrifice 'murrica for their losing cause.

  7. Roger Cornelius 2014.05.20

    Arkansas is also among the most recent state challenges to gay marriage bans.

    On another note, Rick will be giving the keynote speech at the Little Wound High School graduation on Friday. I'm betting there will be honoring songs for both the graduates and for Rick.

    Following the meet and greet, Rick will be at "Pinky's" store in Manderson at 3:00 p.m.

  8. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.05.20

    Yeah Pinky! She is one of my favorite people on the Pine Ridge!

  9. Roger Cornelius 2014.05.20

    Deb,

    Pinky is my first cousin. My sister Rosemarie Dillingham is hosting him at the store with refreshments and good talk.

    Weilands's campaign just contacted me and said Rick will be playing his now famous song, "i've Been Everywhere Man'.

  10. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.05.20

    Rick at Little Wound graduation?! How'd he swing that gig... and how big a band is he bringing to Pinky's? (Remind me I need to stop and visit your cousin, Roger. Do they have wifi so I can live blog from the store?)

  11. Roger Cornelius 2014.05.20

    Cory,

    After I had my sister listen to Rick's song, she got inspired and wanted to help with the campaign. I contacted the campaign last month and made the arrangements for this weekend which coincides with his nieces high school graduation and the Little Wound graduation. Perfect timing.
    I reminded the campaign today how much my sister liked the song and they said Rick would indeed perform it.

    Will check on the wifi and let you know.

  12. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.05.20

    Is there cell service at Pinky's? If so, get a wifi hotspot to get online. I got one from Verizon; it's called a Jet Pack and it's great. I use it for home WiFi. It's cheaper and as fast as a cable.

  13. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.05.21

    You find the Jet Pack cost effective and as reliable, Deb? Wow -- I wasn't sure the technology was ready to compete with cable. But what's your data limit?

  14. Roger Cornelius 2014.05.21

    Cory, I'll have those answers for you in the morning.

    Most likely there is wifi at Pinky's and if not, the campaign will have what's needed.

    Cory, are you planning to attend both the graduation and reception?

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