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Weiland Fundraiser: Familiar Message, Call to Action, New Music!!

By twuecker on 2014.06.07

Surrounding an afternoon of national attention as the "#1 Trender" on MSNBC's The Ed Show, Rick Weiland continued his busy campaign with another four-town day that ended with family, friends, and supporters in his hometown of Madison.

At a fundraiser sponsored by a half-dozen local couples at the Lake Madison home of Jeff and Trudi Nelson, Weiland covered the message that he's taken to all 311 incorporated municipalities in the state (and another hundred or so unincorporated locales).

He discussed how recent court decisions and political temerity allow our country's political process to be under big money's control and our need to "Take it back!" by electing someone whose vote isn't for sale to the closest-connected lobbying interest or the highest corporate bidder. Weiland fielded questions on his proposed expansion of a Medicare option for all Americans and worked to set up the contrast between himself and opponent Mike Rounds (who Weiland says was busy shaking down dollars in Dallas, TX, while Team Weiland was shaking hands in Dallas, SD).

But the message that resonated most with this particular liberal blogger was Weiland's impassioned call for Democrats around South Dakota (and, remember, there are proportionally more of us than there are in Iowa, Wyoming, or Nebraska) to step up and vote in November. Coming off a Democratic gubernatorial primary that brought only 11% of South Dakota Democrats to the polls, Weiland told the gathered crowd that success in the U.S. Senate depends on Democratic voters getting as fired up about his campaign as he is. To continue South Dakota's three-and-a-half-decade run of bipartisan Congressional delegations, Weiland said, Democrats at all levels of involvement really need to perform this fall.

Rick closed out the evening with a performance of his own, pairing up with brother Ted for a few numbers, including this new ditty from the campaign team that brought you the best political music video of the season:

twuecker

If one’s home is defined exclusively by physical location, then I’m only about half South Dakotan. I was born in Kansas and lived there until my family moved to South Dakota when I was six. I spent the last 9 years living as a Mount Rushmore State expatriate, first in Minnesota and then in Ohio. However, for as long as I’ve been able to answer for myself when asked the question “Where are you from?”, the answer has always been “I’m from South Dakota.” To my way of thinking, home is more than where you reside. Home is where you long to be in the quiet moments when nothing else is on your mind; it’s who you care about and why you pay attention to a particular news item or milestone; it’s how you view the vast array of environments you encounter and what lens you use to see the world around you. Within that broader interpretation, South Dakota is—and always will be—my home. At this particular point in time and for the foreseeable future, South Dakota is also my physical home. I live in Brookings, where I work as a higher education administrator. My family still lives just down the road in Madison, and I’m fortunate to spend as much free time as possible on a family acreage in the Black Hills. I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from SDSU, and this blog gives me a chance to more fully incorporate that interest and experience into my life. Coursework in state and local government or newswriting and reporting doesn’t inherently make me a more valuable contributor to the blogosphere than anyone who reads, writes for, or comments on these pages. I do hope, however, that this background gives me an eye for what might make an interesting topic and an ability to present the topic in a way that encourages thought and conversation. I readily associate myself with the identity of the Madville Times as “liberal media” for this great state. I am a registered Democrat and have campaigned for more than my fair share of progressive candidates in local, statewide, and national races. I don’t agree with everything said by individuals using the same “liberal,” “Democrat,” or “progressive” labels I use, but I find that my own views align more often than not with such folks and are more likely to align with them than with individuals who label themselves as “conservative,” “Republican,” or “traditional.” It’s important for all readers to understand that the labels I choose to use and the opinions I choose to express as a Madville Times author are solely reflective of me as an individual. Nothing I write here should be interpreted as the opinion of my employer (the South Dakota Board of Regents acting through the Administration of South Dakota State University) or of any group with which I affiliate myself personally or professionally. Likewise, my contributions carry only my personal authority and reputation as a private citizen and member of the greater South Dakota community—the same authority available to any Madville Times contributor. Nothing I write, unless explicitly stated, carries any added authority or reputation from individuals or organizations willing to associate themselves with me. All that said, I think it’s time for you, Dear Reader, to stop reading about me and start reading about the countless topics of greater importance contained within this site. I look forward to our discussions, debates, and discoveries!

24 Comments

  1. grainofsalt 2014.06.07

    Wow! Listened to Weilands interview on the Ed Show. He answered the questions that he was asked, and in an easy to understand way. It was amazing. It was refreshing. I was blown away! Who knew this was possible? (I've obviously been listening to too much Bosworth and Rounds and not nearly enough Weiland)

  2. CK 2014.06.07

    I find this an absolutely fresh breath of air, especially after the Republican primary fiasco. Sing on, Rick, sing on!!

  3. owen reitzel 2014.06.07

    My wife and I were there and it was a great time. Hopefully he'll be able to get his message out.

  4. 96 Tears 2014.06.07

    Refreshing to see a candidate who says what he means so that you know where he stands. And he's having fun. This may get contagious.

  5. Lynn 2014.06.07

    "Still lookin for that guy named Rounds" I love that! Great campaign songs. They should get some playtime on local radio stations across the state.

  6. Lynn 2014.06.07

    songs should get "airtime" across the state.

  7. Jim in DC 2014.06.07

    I follow grainofsalt's wow with WOW! Rick's responses were genuine and not full of back talk/don't answer the question bs. Even threw in a shot at Koch. SoDak would certainly benefit with him in the senate seat. Got a bit of a Tom Daschle vibe going on there.

  8. caheidelberger 2014.06.07

    Lynn, that line is a winner. It should be played and replayed on Twitter all day!

  9. Roger Cornelius 2014.06.07

    "lookin' for that guy named Rounds" could well have been Staces' campaign slogan.

    Rick has a dynamic personality, and he listens. The people I know that have met him have been impressed and moved by the warmth he generates.

  11. Nick Nemec 2014.06.07

    "My vote's not for sale or rent, don't just work for the one per cent. Not riding in corporate jets"

  12. Deb Geelsdottir 2014.06.07

    That was just plain wonderful! Witty, clever, funny, honest. I love it. I think I'm in love with Rick Weiland.

    I'm sorry Blindman, but you have been replaced. I hope you can bear up to this loss. Can't we just be friends?

  13. Mike S 2014.06.08

    We Man is done before this starts, even if your plant Pressler sucks out votes, it still won't be close. Screen shots to u!!

  14. Mike S 2014.06.08

    So some crappy singing gets votes, yep we have the low information voters located at another wacko liberal circle jerk.

  15. Mike S 2014.06.08

    Screen shots for up and comer. Hehe! Losers!

  16. mike from iowa 2014.06.08

    Mike S-who is this "we" you speak of. Do you have worms?
    Here is your low info voter from C4P-Conservaweasels for Palin. Enjoy,sport.

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    wandrako • 2 days ago

    This is on a little different subject but you all may be able to give me the answer. There was a beautiful MD running for office in SD I think. She lost after a nasty race where she was treated terribly. Who is she? Did Sarah support her? She is a top consultant on electronic medical records and found out she had lost the race on Megan Kelly's show. She seems like a great candidate and sure needed help from someone like Sarah. Maybe next time. Not sure what office she was running for but was treated a lot differently from her male adversaries

  19. JeniW 2014.06.08

    Mike S., you are so funny, that you and Deceitful Mike R. should form a comedy team. Never mind, you already have. LOL

  20. caheidelberger 2014.06.08

    I'm trying to figure out the relevance of screen shots to Mike S's little tantrum. I'm also looking for the evidence of Pressler being a Dem plant. That thesis has less evidence than the still entirely unsubstantianted accusations of plants in the GOP primary. Do you have anything other than cheap insults to back up your claims, Mike S.?

  21. Tim 2014.06.08

    Right wing troll Cory, they don't need relevance or facts. On another note, I apologize for my language yesterday, got so fired up my head exploded, will try to keep it toned downed a bit.

  22. grainofsalt 2014.06.08

    I'd love to see Steve Hildebrand use his 2008 Obama election talents to help Rick Weiland get elected.

  23. caheidelberger 2014.06.08

    Tim, I use such words myself sometimes. I just try to keep them away from the blog. I'd like those highly educated Girls' Staters to be able to read these articles and realize they should take up blogging (and campaigning for Weiland!) instead of welding.

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