Bob Mercer looks at the really nifty brand-owning poster the South Dakota Dems put up advocating better health care policy and sees an announcement for Sen. Angie Buhl's 2014 campaign for Congress:
Her views supporting legal abortion and sexual equality issues put her on the Legislature’s fringes but definitely in the national Democratic mainstream. The Democrats’ last three members of Congress from South Dakota — Tim Johnson, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Tom Daschle — all were pro-choice. A Buhl candidacy would attract national attention for a variety of reasons. And after South Dakota voters twice rejected abortion bans in the past decade, it could be that a Buhl candidacy focused on healthcare and women’s reproductive rights would be a winning combination. One of those bans was signed by Gov. Rounds, in a test of his character that didn’t impress either side as he squirmed over what was sent to his desk by the Legislature’s anti-abortion majorities [Bob Mercer, "Is Sen. Johnson Truly Backtracking... for Sen. Buhl?" Pure Pierre Politics, 2012.12.06].
Buhl vs. Noem? Buhl vs. Rounds? That could be the rock-'em-sock-'em campaign we've been waiting for. Buhl would provide a brilliant contrast to both Noem and Rounds on a debate stage. Mercer adds one key tactical reason Buhl could wage a formidable campaign against any South Dakota Republican: her candidacy would arouse the interest of outside backers who would see a chance to win back a South Dakota seat for a true progressive.
Get through the session first, Angie. Heck, get through both sessions. Noem didn't announce her 2010 candidacy until the waning days of the 2010 Legislative session, and she came out just fine. Do District 15's business, then give Noem or Rounds the business!
When it takes ignorant amounts of money and publicity to run for the House, it's never too early. I get that she needs to tend to state business to which she was elected to do, but it's never too early to get a candidate's name out there and test the waters for a US seat. And DCCC likes hard-working candidates that plan early and raise about a million $$ so they can get behind a candidate.
Run, Angie. The world needs more women in elected positions.
Angie is an energetic campaigner who makes very good impressions on voters. Contrast that with Noem's robotic talking-points-only style, you might see an exciting race emerge.
Noem wins 70-30
Rounds wins 80-20
As much as I like Sen. Angie Buhl, she doesn't have a snowball's chance running for Congress in SD. Mercer is just showing his diabolical penchant for stirring up trouble. His 3-sizes-too-small Republican heart would love to see someone as liberal as Angie Buhl get the Democratic nomination promising a Republican shellacking of her. Won't happen. SD Dems will put up Brendan Johnson and/or Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for federal races in 2014.
This could be fun... Imagine her and Kristi going head to head
"her candidacy would arouse the interest of outside backers who would see a chance to win back a South Dakota seat for a true progressive."
Progressive is code word for "New Age Theocrat".
Perhaps my memory is faulty, but I seem to recall a lot of comments a year or two ago that Ms. Buhl did not play well with others in Pierre. Not that she had different views, but she was openly disparaging of others & their legislation, violated decorum, and generally was hard to get along with... which was why all her legislation/proposed amendments were shot down.
I've worked with her back in college. She was a nice enough person, but not the easiest with which to work... I'm not sure she's matured enough to 1) go up head to head against seasoned politicians Rounds or Noem or 2) represent South Dakota in a national forum and show the proper respect to others (and earn it in kind).
I'm not saying she carries the wrong message... but I'm worried about the messenger.
Wayne, people could have said the same thing about me at your age. Some people still say that about me now at age 41. ;-)
Run Buhl in a primary, and we'll find out how ready she is for a statewide campaign!
Hey, Kristi, these rapes are at your hands:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/09/1167923/-Hey-House-GOP-How-many-Native-women-will-be-raped-today