The South Dakota GOP touts as Big Breaking News its appointment of fresh-faced political director Justin Rollins, a young man whose résumé is apparently so thin that one year of playing football and running track at Black Hills State warrants mention.
But a glance at Justin Rollins's Twitter account causes me mild alarm. He has no Tweets (alarm #1), and he offers the photo you see here (alarm #2).
Smoking, playing cards... oh no! The SDGOP didn't hire Rollins; it hired Herman Cain's campaign manager Mark Block!
The first time I ever met Justin Rollins he was literally, I mean that in the fullest sense of the word falling out the door of the Main Street Pub, wearing a backpack he "borrowed" from a transient, the day after the Strollers show in Vermillion....excellent choice SDGOP.....not
I met Rollins once last year and I liked him. He was funny and obviously worked hard. He is not overly experienced but he'll do fine.
Justin Rollins is a joke. In the 4 years I was at USD, I think he was in year 4 when I started there, he did nothing but make a mockery of himself and every organization he was involved in. I'm sure he will do the same for the SDGOP. First, Gant brings on Pat Powers, now this? What kind of circus is the GOP running on this state?
A circus that wins elections.
...wins an election in 2010 when Republicans won every statewide office by huge margins. Worth noting: the campaign Rollins led for Gant produced one of the lowest vote Republican vote totals on the statewide ballot. Granted, the Secretary of State race was a three-way, but even if we give Gant all of the Lori Stacey votes, Gant's margin is indistinguishable from Daugaard's and Barnett's and notably lower than Jackley's, Sattgast's, J. Johnson's, and D. Johnson's.
Most of the GOP does not like Rave leading the party and they are quite upset with Noem for picking her PAC's campaign treasurer to be SD GOP chairman. Noem isn't doing what's best for the party only what is best for her.
Sounds like he will put the party in party. The Grand Old Rotten Party (GORP) needs gallons of alcohol as a preservative and amnesia agent.
Jason Gant continues to put the 'Pat' in patronage jobs. By the way, is it true he has a political PAC to make sure that Republicans are elected?
Justin is a good guy. A very affible hard working youn man that will relate well with mom & pop South Dakota across the state. He also is a visible gesture of respect to the Conservative West River folks.
It took a lot of courage for Tim Rave to step up to the plate and take on the job, especially after the board sweeping wins of 2010. Thankless job as it has been shown to be. Good choice with Justin.
Stace I'm sure you were at the meeting when Rave was elected Chair. Here's what I was told happened. A letter was sent out that said all of you county party folks better vote for Rave. And it was signed by Noem, Daugaard and Thune. County party activists didn't have a say in any of it they were just there so the party could meet quarum and rubber stamp. That is one thing that has to change. A lot of people are concerned about Rave and rightfully so. First move was to hire an out of stater and say good ridance to all of those who have worked so hard for the SD GOP.
Stace I think you are one of the good legislators. Rave is not very high on my list.
If you would have met Justin Rollins four years ago you may have said negative things about him. However, knowing Justin for 6 years, he is a very loyal man and really stands up for what he believes in. I have seen him mature very much over the past 2 years and he has been working his butt off in every job he has had since he graduated. There are many people his age who are working minimum wage jobs at fast food restaurants with a college degree, but he is not one of them. Maybe if us liberals and conservatives would quit bashing each other all the time and stop being so hell bent on opposing each other all the time, then we could actually get something done in our government. Congratulations Justin Rollins i know you will work hard and do a great job.