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Hobo Day Too Good for Pressler and Politicking?

I must now turn my fire on my alma mater, South Dakota State University, for political favoritism and restriction of free speech. Apparently they (and there's dispute as to whether "they" is the Hobo Day Committee or President David Chicoine himself) will not let Independent candidate Larry Pressler putt-putt through the Hobo Day parade on his old John Deere D.

Kevin Woster captures the supreme irony that USD and NSU are letting Pressler grace their homecoming parades with his tractor while the state's great land grant institution nixes Pressler's ag homage. Woster also explains that State hasn't banned Pressler from the October 25 parade; they've just said he can only participate if a student organization sponsors him.

That rule sets the Independent at another disadvantage to main-party candidates with campus party machines. But incumbents get an even better deal: the Hobo Day Committee up and invites Governor Dennis Daugaard, Congresswoman Kristi Noem, and other sitting elected officials to ride in the parade.

Hobo LarryBut even those favored invitees dare not say anything political. Hobo Day Committee advisor Nick Wendell says candidates are not permitted to distribute any political campaign material during the parade. Why SDSU thinks its homecoming activities are somehow too good for politics while every other campus in the state makes no fuss over pols using their parades to practice organizing and propagandizing escapes me. The Hobo Day parade organizers should let candidates march and say whatever they want... as long as they wear Hobo duds!

Forget the tractor, Larry! If you can't get the campus thespians or the women's rugby club to sponsor you, forget the tractor and just walk the parade route. Instead of keeping your tractor running, shake hands on the street, then get up to the Back Yard for tailgating!

83 Comments

  1. Emmett Reistroffer 2014.09.30

    SDSU was also the only public campus where I found myself surrounded by a swarm of campus police when collecting petition signatures last fall in the tailgating area before the foot ball game. The protested when the police told me to leave and the President himself came over and threatened me. They literately told me that the 1st amendment doesn't apply on campus.

  2. tara volesky 2014.09.30

    They wouldn't let Mike Myers in either, but he is still going to go and walk the parade route. South Dakota State University shutting out the Indies? What a joke. Go Yotes, they are much more diverse and open-minded. The Indies are in!!!

  3. Bob Klein 2014.09.30

    This has been Hobo Day policy for several years now. I don't get it, but it isn't new.

  4. tara volesky 2014.09.30

    They need to change it Bob. The status quo has got to go.

  5. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.09.30

    Oh- that's what the Backyard is. I thought it was a bar/party place. When I taught in White in the late 70s, one of the favorite place for us young teachers to go was the Ram Pub. They had a lighted disco dance floor on the top level. Woo-hoo!

  6. Jana 2014.10.01

    Just thinking that since Mike won't debate, maybe the parade is a good place to get him actually debating the issues.

    Students, get your phones out and ask Mike real questions on the parade route.

    Here's one. "Will you support Elizabeth Warren's push to give students the same rates as the federal government gives the big banks? ...you know the rat bastards that tanked the economy and cost middle class American families trillions of dollars..."

    Or here's another. "There's a great deal of talk about the student loan bubble...what will you do to avoid bankrupting an entire generation of students?"

    Surely we can come up with more and get good old smiling Mike on the record.

    Heck, there's probably some good questions to ask Governor D.

    Philosophy majors and minors...this is your chance!

    If you get a good video clip, send it to Cory...you could be famous...still in student loan debt up to your eyeballs, but famous. More importantly, you will get them past the pablum that is their hyper-partisan platitudes.

  7. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.10.01

    That's great Jana. On point and very funny. Yeah.

  8. Jana 2014.10.01

    OK, here's another one might wipe the less than genuine smile off Mike's face:

    "You're one of the founders of Common Core education...how come you don't talk about it?"

    Or this one:

    "Mike, are you with Ronald Reagan on gun control and immigration reform?"

  9. Jana 2014.10.01

    This is too easy.

    "What will your federal balanced budget cost South Dakota?"

  10. Jana 2014.10.01

    Heck, in his last ad he and grandpa Don wanted to talk about real issues like the Keystone Pipeline...so talk to him and get him on the record with your camera phone.

    "Hey Mike, do you support foreign companies being able to trample on farmers rights to their land?"

  11. JeniW 2014.10.01

    Rounds used the federal stimulus money to balance the SD budget, what is he going to use to balance the federal budget????

  12. SDTeacher 2014.10.01

    I'm thinking Weiland should hire Jana and JeniW to write his next ad. Just questions. It'd be brilliant.

  13. Bill Dithmer 2014.10.01

    A "lighted disco dance floor."

    The Blindman

  14. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.10.01

    Jana, JeniW, I'd love to get those questions and Mike's reactions on video. Send a crew to Brookings October 25... but watch out! The Hobo Day Committee may treat you the way they treated Emmett and try to shut you up for engaging in political speech on a public street.

  15. Jana 2014.10.01

    OK students...if Mike gets his way to repeal Obamacare you are off of your parents insurance once you graduate. Guess how much that is going to cost you out of pocket just so he can get his anti-Obama merit badge.

    Does that inspire any questions?

    Here's a hint. That's not South Dakota common cents...that's major money leaving your pocket and going to insurance executives...like Mike.

  16. Bob Klein 2014.10.01

    Jana, according to this morning's Argus, Rounds has chosen to remain in the grandstand. I suppose he'd rather not waste his time mingling with actual voters along the parade route.

    For anyone who wants to know, I believe the grandstand will be along Medary Ave between 8th St. and 10th St.

  17. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    So, shooting and editing the ad would be easy. Just get a bunch of shots of MR in the grand stands waving and smiling. Have a bunch of people calling out Jana and JeniW's questions to him, while he just sits there waving...smiling... waving...laughing... Question graphic on screen the whole time reads: "How come Mike Rounds only shows up when there's no debate?" Closing voiceover, "Hey Mike!"

    Nice work ladies!

  18. Lynn 2014.10.01

    Mike would rather be hanging out with his cronies safely guarded in the stands at Hobo Days than answer questions from voters or show up to debates. Is this what South Dakota needs in Washington DC? Vote Rick Weiland

    This message was paid for by the average non crony citizens of South Dakota.

  19. Lynn 2014.10.01

    Bill Fleming did you notice that the volume of Pressler's TV ad is very low when he speaks? I hope Larry was compensated for that. You really have to listen to hear what he says.

  20. Jana 2014.10.01

    Well played Mr. Fleming, well played.

  21. Bob Klein 2014.10.01

    Only prob with the ad, Hobo Day is Oct 25. Not much time.

  22. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    No, I didn't notice that, Lynn. So when you listened really carefully, what did you hear? Anything good? Or same old same old. Did he try to play the "Honesty Card?" LOL

  23. Lynn 2014.10.01

    Bill it was the same old Larry in the commercial that annoyed me as being an ineffective Senator and not taken seriously at all by his colleagues in Washington. Whatever ad agency did this ad screwed up though. lol

  24. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    I gotta tell ya, Cory, some of the best "ads" I've "seen" for Rick and against Rounds have come from the talent that comments here on Madville. Dithmer's EB-5 condensations and other scenarios a few weeks back were priceless. And these new ones from Jana and Jeni are right on the money. Let's hope the Weiland crew and the Dem PACs are reading your blog. You've got a killer creative department working here for the sheer fun of it. That always makes the best stuff. Plus it proves the latest "hive mind" meme. "Nobody is as smart as everybody."

  25. Jana 2014.10.01

    Mr. Fleming, I blush.

    So how about we spread the fun to Mr. Daugaard and SDSU Summa Cum Lately graduate Kristi Noem.

    I'll start.

    "Governor Daugaard, the people that are hurt by your refusal to expand Medicaid would more than fill the stadium...which team are you rooting for?"

    "Kristi, how do I apply for your slacker degree?"

    "Kristi, can I borrow the staffer who earned your degree?"

    "Governor, was Jesus a carpenter or a philosopher?"

    "Kristi, America's in crisis...why are you always on vacation?"

    "Governor Daugaard cares about education...said no one ever"

    "Governor Daugaard cut the cheese and turned his back on students." (too obscure with the Bel Brands corporate welfare reference?)

    "Governor...could you pick me up some Legos next time your at the Mall of America recruiting welders for your friends?"

    Ugghhh...

    I need some help here gang.

  26. Jana 2014.10.01

    Hey South DaCola...can you turn some of these into memes and make them go viral?

  27. Lynn 2014.10.01

    Jana your on a roll and it just disgusts me what these so called elected representatives of South Dakota can get away with.

  28. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    Wow. Jana's on fire! Bravo! LOL

  29. Jana 2014.10.01

    How about a generic parade sign...

    South Dakota Republicans - Where usury and gambling are virtues

    What are your values?

  30. Jana 2014.10.01

    Mike

    Would you send my kid to war?

  31. Jana 2014.10.01

    Somebody get a picture of Mike, Kristi and Dennis with a kid in a wheelchair or hospital bed.

    Caption:

    "Tough break kid, but my politics are more important than your preexisting condition."

    That's a gift that just keeps on giving.

  32. Jana 2014.10.01

    Mike - Would you send my kid to war?

  33. Jana 2014.10.01

    How about we help Howie out.

    Picture of Mike or Dennis with the caption.

    "I Proudly Support Common Core"

    Feel the burn with the Tea Party crowd.

  34. Michael B 2014.10.01

    I wish we had a woman running against the three middle aged men to shake things up a bit.

  35. Jana 2014.10.01

    Me too Michael...but in the meantime we have Susan Wismer and Suzy Blake. Let's give em hell.

    To wit:

    If South Dakota families plan budgets at the kitchen table...shouldn't a woman be there?

    Pass Medicaid Expansion Now!

  36. Jana 2014.10.01

    Change that to "Shouldn't a Mom be There?"

  37. Jana 2014.10.01

    The more I think of it, the more I think we could cut the campaign funding gap by going viral and social with the ideas our own Bill Fleming has come up with.

    Cory, run a contest for best viral memes and parade signs. I bet we could raise enough money to make it worth their while. I'm in for $20.

  38. Jana 2014.10.01

    Here's another.

    9,000,000,000 pennies (Visual of a shiny penny)

    Mike Rounds idea of South Dakota Common Cents.

  39. Jana 2014.10.01

    From the memory hole on Initiated Measure 15

    Voters = No to corporate welfare
    Daugaard = Voters are stupid

    Send Wismer and Blake to Pierre

  40. Jana 2014.10.01

    Tag that last one with "Make everyone smarter"

  41. Jana 2014.10.01

    Rounds Meme

    "I was against Obamacare before I was for it and after I was against it to get elected"

    "Wait...What?"

  42. Jana 2014.10.01

    Rounds Meme

    "I balance the budget the old fashioned way."

    "I ask Washington politicians to bail me out."

  43. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    Cool idea, Jana! A series of Facebook posters maybe? Post them on the Madville FB page and spend whatever money is raised to "boost" them in key SD voting demos.

    Are you up for it Cory? Jana's got a treasure tribe of concepts right here on this thread. Now all you need is a team of crazed digital artists with itchy trigger fingers and a willingness to freely share use rights. LOL

  44. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    "treasure TROVE not tribe... stoopid spell check...

  45. Jana 2014.10.01

    Thomas Nast style cartoon.

    Rounds throwing big bag of money labeled "deficit" on top of Daugaard.

    Daugaard throwing same bag on top of kindergarten kids and teachers saying "I think this is your responsibility
    '....or "tag - your it"

  46. Jana 2014.10.01

    New Logo for GOED

    Governor's Office of Exceptional Deception

  47. Lynn 2014.10.01

    Jana how about Education priorities

  48. Jana 2014.10.01

    Let me think on that one Lynn...I'll get back to you.

  49. Jana 2014.10.01

    Picture governor on phone and Tony V in cartoon shirt that says "Son-in-law" like in the Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles.

    Copy.

    "Governor, the parents are on line one wondering when we'll get back to them on education funding."

    Governor responds

    "Tell them to suck it, I'm on the line with the Keystone Pipeline masters and you know how those Canadians hate to be put on hold."

  50. Jana 2014.10.01

    Picture of Governor handing a hammer to the Valedictorian on the graduation stage.

    Copy

    "Harvard's overrated kid...my donors need help, get to work."

  51. Bill Fleming 2014.10.01

    Jana, I had a similar concept to your Nast-style idea, only instead of a bag of money, the icon would be a lunch counter of "sh*t sandwiches." Some say "Deficit," some say "EB-5," some say "End Medicare" "1%ers" ... etc... you get the picture.

    Caption: "Mike Burgers" or "Hold your nose if you vote for Rounds" ...or "Rounds Chow Line" wharves.

  52. Jana 2014.10.01

    Footall Scoreboard

    EB-5 $140,000,000 in red

    Education 0

    Caption "You knew the game was rigged from the start"

  53. Jana 2014.10.01

    Picture of the Governor at Ribbon cutting and superimpose headlines.

    "Governor give $5,000,000 to French Bel Brands"

    "Schools unable to hire teachers."

    "South Dakota holds on to lowest paid teacher status"

  54. Jana 2014.10.01

    Bill, I love Thomas Nast...and your idea!

  55. Jana 2014.10.01

    Mike standing with a group of short country club donors at a cocktail party.

    Caption

    "I love the little people...with big wallets."

  56. bearcreekbat 2014.10.01

    You folks are making my day! Thanks!

  57. Jana 2014.10.01

    Side by side pictures.

    Kristi in the infamous Yada Yada talking on the cell phone in ag committee picture juxtaposed with Corrina Robinson in military uniform.

    Caption at bottom

    "Who do you trust with America"

  58. Jana 2014.10.01

    Picture of Kristi with her friend that is a boy and not her husband on the Great China Wall

    "Elect Me...I need the vacation time."

  59. Jana 2014.10.01

    Side by side pictures.

    Kristi with her friend who is a boy but not her husband on the Great China Wall and a picture of Corinna in Afghanistan.

    Caption

    "Who do you trust with America"

  60. Jana 2014.10.01

    Side by side picture

    Kristi in her Bloomingdales flannel on her horse. Corrina next to a tank.

    Caption:

    "Your going to stop ISIS with that show pony?"

  61. Jana 2014.10.01

    Side by side pictures.

    Kristi getting her fake degree from Pressler hating SDSU and Corrina getting a medal pinned on her for combat experience.

    Caption:

    "Some people earn their honors"

  62. Jana 2014.10.01

    Wish I could draw or at least spell photoshoppp.

  63. Jana 2014.10.01

    Rounds picture with superimposed gorrilla and coal smoke stack.

    Caption:

    "Remember promises of Hyperion and Big Stone II?

    "Some things are full of hot air"

  64. Jana 2014.10.01

    I draw a stick figure and my mother still puts in on the refrigerator...so sad.

  65. Jana 2014.10.01

    Side by side pictures

    Mike Rounds standing near the FEMA sandbags around his river front mansion and patients sitting in a waiting room...forever.

    Caption:

    "Some people deserve government assistance"

  66. Jana 2014.10.01

    Nast style cartoon with DD and cronies (Appropriately labeled KXL, French guy in a beret with Bel Brands, Wisconsin Employment agency, Chinese guy labeled EB-5, sitting on bags of money smoking cigars and drinking martinis. Kid in raggedy clothes and elderly woman in a wheelchair holding a cups that say "Education" and the other "Medicaid"

    Caption:

    "Buzz off, can't you see I'm doing the state's business?"

  67. Jana 2014.10.01

    Rounds and Daugaard standing together.

    Caption:

    "If your not related to us, your best bet to get a job is hard labor"

    "Why nepotism matters"

  68. Jana 2014.10.01

    Picture of Pat Powers with a quote bubble saying "Poopy pants"

    Caption:

    "Political discourse deserves better."

  69. Jana 2014.10.01

    Nast style again

    DD and Smiling Mike trying to push a door shut with bags labeled EB-5, deficit, Indian foster children, WI Employment agency, deficit, education, Common Core etc. busting out the side.

    Caption:

    "Nothing to see here folks, move along"

    or

    "Power corrupts. Absolute Power corrupts absoluteley"

  70. Jana 2014.10.01

    A whole series of Alfred E. Neuman Mad Magazine inpired caricatures drawn of DD, MMR, JT and Kristi With the classic "What, Me Worry" at the top and the controversial issues (EB-5, Education funding, Medicaid, Fraud, Native American Adoption, decaying road and bridges, Common Core, Herpes more favorable than Congress,worst Congress Ever, etc) at the bottom.

  71. Jana 2014.10.01

    Caricature of Mike Rounds with protesters behind him carrying signs with EB-5, Deficit, Big Government, falling poll numbers etc. behind him being introduced by an aid to Dick Wadhams.

    Caption:

    Don't worry sir, we brought in the Big Dick.

  72. Jana 2014.10.01

    Cartoon Background: female protesters with signs with the words 'reproductive rights,' 'equal pay' 'contraception' 'education cuts' 'healthcare' 'war on women' 'Headstart' 'Real virgins' 'show ponies are people too' etc.

    Foreground: Aid telling SDGOP elephant

    "Don't worry sir, we'll get them back in the kitchen as quick as we can"

  73. Jana 2014.10.01

    Picture of DD and Chinese businessman:

    Caption:

    "Oh don't you worry about cheap labor, you could learn a thing or two from us."

  74. Kurt Evans 2014.10.01

    Emmett Reistroffer wrote:
    >>"SDSU was also the only public campus where I found myself surrounded by a swarm of campus police when collecting petition signatures last fall in the tailgating area before the football game."

    Cory Heidelberger wrote:
    >"The Hobo Day Committee may treat you the way they treated Emmett and try to shut you up for engaging in political speech on a public street."

    I was allowed to walk in the Hobo Day parade with a decorated campaign vehicle and several assistants during my independent campaign for Congress in 1996, but Thune assistant Ryan Nelson told me they got a letter that said, "John Thune may not walk the parade route."

    I'm guessing even many Democrats would agree that's outrageous.

    Most of Brookings County seems to be controlled by fascists, and I think the SDSU campus police department may be run by closet Satanists.

  75. lesliengland 2014.10.01

    gee, cory, tell us more about this university with apparent scruples.

    jana, funny. nepotism is really it, isn't it? leadership sd-our next crop. education by Koch Bros.-follow our lead! qualifications, hell, who do yah know? transparency-how would that ever work? GOAC chair loyalty-that's what i'm talkin 'bout!

  76. Kurt Evans 2014.10.01

    Jana wrote:
    >"Governor, was Jesus a carpenter or a philosopher?"

    He was both. The carpentry paid better, but the philosophy left more of a legacy. :)

  77. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.10.01

    Great work Jana! That was a fun read. Bill, how are the illustrations coming?

  78. Anne Beal 2014.10.02

    Back to the original topic: only student groups March in the Hobo Day parade. If you want to participate you need to be invited by a student group. Nothing new here. This is the way it has always been as long as I can remember.
    Jana has lost her mind. Let's start with the interest charged on student loans: it's one of the funding mechanisms for Obamacare. Figure it this way kids: you get to stay on Mommy & Daddy's insurance until you are 26. Try to pay off your student loans before then.

  79. Kurt Evans 2014.10.02

    I'd written:
    >>"I was allowed to walk in the Hobo Day parade with a decorated campaign vehicle and several assistants during my independent campaign for Congress in 1996 ..."

    Anne Beal wrote:
    >"only student groups March in the Hobo Day parade. If you want to participate you need to be invited by a student group. Nothing new here. This is the way it has always been as long as I can remember."

    Then you can remember less than 18 years. I have pictures.

  80. Kurt Evans 2014.10.02

    Larry Kurtz posted:
    http://www.sdsucollegian.com/lifestyles/article_5f5739cc-498c-11e4-8362-0017a43b2370.html

    From that story in the SDSU campus newspaper:
    >"With 635 students in attendance in the Volstorff Ballroom, the two experts shared their knowledge... They wrote a book on the importance of sex, 'Love Her Right: The Married Man’s Guide to Lesbian Secrets for Great Sex!' ... Masturbation was a topic that got the crowd chatting. They discussed the need to explore your own body to find out what gives you the most pleasure."

    Can you get an education like that at USD?

    South Dakota State University: We put the "loco" in "in loco parentis"...

    But at least they're sheltering students from exposure to the notorious twin evils of political involvement and basic American citizenship.

  81. lesliengland 2014.10.02

    maybe there is no sex going on at sdsu, cory?

    but anne beal, isn't she a feared pol together with her hubby for the SDGOP, so obstruction is the mantra and maybe she'll cite her source badmouthing the ACA? holding breath.

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