Governing doesn't think anyone watched Rep. Susan Wismer at the Dakotafest debate and said yesterday that Governor Dennis Daugaard will cruise to victory in November. The new Survey USA poll commissioned by KSFY, KOTA, and AAN agrees, pegging Daugaard at a steady 54% and Wismer at a rising but distant 34%. The comparable May poll put the split at 56–23.
But Survey USA also reinforces conclusions offered by Nielson Brothers Polling in August: even if Wismer can't catch Daugaard, voters will overwhelmingly approve Initiated Measure 18, the proposal launched by Democrats to increase South Dakota's minimum wage to $8.50. Both Nielson and Survey USA find majority support for the wage hike; where Nielson put the split at 52–28, Survey USA finds the split at 61–22, an insurmountable 39-point gap.
Those numbers point Wismer toward one clear path toward breaking 40%: find those IM 18 supporters and remind them that she's on their side and Governor Daugaard isn't. The Democratic Party's whole strategic point in placing IM 18 and other measures on the ballot (aside from promoting the general welfare) is to give Democratic candidates coattail issues that resist personal attacks and resonate with core South Dakota values. Get on those coattails, Rep. Wismer!
Susan also needs to appeal to 49,000 uninsured that can vote for her, Medicaid Expansion should be a key issue that makes a clear distinction between Daugaad and Wismer.
Along with minimum wage and the EB-5 that must be held around this crooks neck as well. He cannot deny any part of the EB-5 as he and ole Joop were joined together at the hip until the feds started snooping.
I agree with Roger that the Medicaid expansion is just as big of a problem, if not bigger, for Daugaard as either his opposition to an increase in the minimum wage or the potential EB-5 scandal. I would like to see Wismer tell voters how her support of the Medicaid expansion and an increase in the minimum wage would help all South Dakota voters. Whether this message would open enough minds, or get enough Dems to the polls to make a difference seems an open question, yet I don't really see other openings for Wismer.
Today Susan said she would have fired anybody associated with defrauding the state, you know, what Rounds didn't do and Daugaard reluctantly did by canceling Bollen's contract.
Democratic candidates at the local level need to take advantage on Susan's position on the minimum wage and Medicaid Expansion and explain to their friends and relatives the positive impacts of increased wages and medical insurance.
some percentage of the 49,000 are likely voters.
her best shot from my might standpoint is prolly going negative, big time, on daugaard big time; eb5 and medicaid expansion.
the child on the rez could be one of those 30-70 deaths waiting for medicaid, waiting for daugaard. this is far more serious than politics or palin's death panels. i understand ihs may not be up to the task? i may be wrong.