Tony Post, SDGOP Ignore Dissatisfaction with Noem, Obsess over SHS

Last updated on 2011.08.08

Minnesota transplant Tony Post has a problem. The South Dakota GOP that he now directs faces unrest from arch-conservatives who see that Congresswoman Kristi Noem is not one of them. Those grouchy Tea-flavored voters, the ones who flew Noem's banner so proudly in 2010, now call her a "conservative" in quotes only (will CinQO replace RINO as the new right-wing taunt?). With "severe disappointment," they see Noem supporting violations of the sacred Constitution. They see Noem falling for the "default lie" and caving to the Democratic Establishment. Talk of a primary challenge against Noem isn't just my own little Operation Chaos; it's starting to bubble up from conservative commenters.

So with faith in his new Congresswoman eroding, what does Tony Post do? Change the subject to Stephanie Herseth Sandlin:

Herseth Sandlin Cashes In, Registers as a Lobbyist

PIERRE - According to congressional records, defeated former-Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has officially joined her husband and the legions of other well-heeled lobbyists in Washington, DC to curry favor from her former colleagues for the highest bidder. Documents on file with both the Office of the Clerk in the U.S. House and the Senate Office of Public Records confirm that Herseth Sandlin is now officially a lobbyist.

"Herseth Sandlin is now officially cashing in on all those connections she made while serving in Congress by offering them up to the special interests who can afford them. We knew Herseth Sandlin's lobbying was only a matter of time when she chose to stay in Washington, DC rather than come back to South Dakota after the election last November. We're confident South Dakotans won't soon forget Herseth Sandlin's trip through the revolving door if she ever attempts to seek office again," said South Dakota Executive Director Tony Post.

Senate Office Of Public Records Link:
http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=chooseFields

House of Representatives Office of the Clerk Link:
http://disclosures.house.gov/ld/ldsearch.aspx

This press release shows the pathology of the South Dakota GOP's obsession with Herseth Sandlin. Tony, Tim, if you didn't notice, you beat Stephanie last year. We've known about her lobbying turn since winter. Her lobbyist status is no more news now than John Thune's lobbyist turn was after he lost to Tim Johnson in 2002. It is no more news than the fact that your current Congresswoman is managed by a well-heeled Washington lobbyist with a million-dollar mansion.

Tony, your fixation with the SDGOP's 2010 opponent is blinding you to the very real problem of growing dissatisfaction among the base with your 2012 incumbent candidate. Not that Jeff Barth or Matt Varilek or I mind. Just carry on, Tony. Keep earning that fat SDGOP paycheck....

Update 16:35 CDT: Tony is doing such a great job that even his counterpart, South Dakota Democratic Party chief Ben Nesselhuf, wants the GOP to go easy on Post for his out-of-state ignorance of South Dakota history:

It's true &ndash Tony Post is new in town; new, even, to South Dakota. That's why we urge the SD GOP to cut him a break. He probably didn't know all the ins-and-outs of The Thune Group &ndash how it attempted to railroad DM&E projects through Congress (yes, pun intended), its unscrupulous dealings with MetaBank and convicted felon, Dan Nelson, or how odd it looked to have its sole employee still working on behalf of its clients after that employee became a member of Congress. (That folks, is one rabbit hole of a revolving door...) [South Dakota Democratic Party, "We'd Be Scared, Too," 2011.08.05]