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SDDP Exec Crago Speaks Friday on Direction of Democratic Party

The Democratic Forum of Sioux Falls (which sponsors this blog—thank you, friends!) hosts what could be a newsworthy program this Friday. Zach Crago, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, will deliver what I believe will be his first extended public remarks since the midterm election. Crago will discuss the recent election and, according to the Democratic Forum, "what the party needs to do to plan for the future."

Democratic Forum is open to the public, and speakers generally do big Q&A, so let's warm up some questions for Crago! Here are the top five that jump to my mind:

  1. What current SDDP projects are working and should continue?
  2. Closely related to #1: What metrics indicate those projects are working?
  3. How much money does the SDDP need to raise to be competitive with the SDGOP?
  4. What does the SDDP do to overcome disillusionment among donors and reach that competitive level?
  5. How long can we keep you as party exec?

Meanwhile, here are the top five things you won't hear Crago say on Friday:

  1. I'm quitting the SDDP and joining the Libertarians to help them capitalize on their role as South Dakota's true opposition party.
  2. Ssshhhh... we're luring the Republicans into overconfidence.
  3. I'll be bringing a proposal to the State Central Committee at its December 13 meeting to amend the SDDP constitution to choose all nominees for statewide office via online polls on the Madville Times.
  4. Now that South Dakota voters have declared that EB-5 is not a political liability, the South Dakota Democratic Party will raise $140 million by forming its own Regional Center to compete with the state in recruiting and managing EB-5 investments. (Hey, wait a minute—that's not a bad idea!)
  5. And now presenting our next Democratic Party chairman, Larry Pressler!

You can hear what Zach Crago really has to say and pitch your own questions about the future of the South Dakota Democratic Party Friday noon, November 21, at the Sioux Falls VFW, 3601 South Minnesota Ave.

35 Comments

  1. Roger Cornelius 2014.11.19

    The #1thing for Zach Crago to do is to read Madville Times threads and comments about Democrats have suggested and want from their party.
    There have been some good ideas expressed, of course not all ideas can be implemented, but they should be incorporated into the SDDP ongoing strategy.

  2. grudznick 2014.11.19

    I certainly hope this Mr. Crago fellow, should he retain control of the SDDP despite the masses clamoring for Mr. H to take the reigns, doesn't read the bloggings here because he could take all the things I've said I like about the SDDP and not do them, and all things I've said were bad about libbies and do them, and then how horrible would all of that be for me?

  3. Tim 2014.11.19

    grudz, anything we libbies can do to make your life miserable, just ask.

  4. Troy 2014.11.19

    Roger,

    As a partisan Republican I can only hope Crago takes your advice. Can you get him to implement these ideas across the nation too?

  5. larry kurtz 2014.11.19

    South Dakota: Land of Infinite Villainy.

  6. larry kurtz 2014.11.19

    Troy's primrose path is paved with platinum platitudes.

  7. Taunia 2014.11.19

    Imagine the entire nation reading DWC. lololol

  8. larry kurtz 2014.11.19

    Troy: nothing pleases me more than your owning your view of the thirteenth most polluted river in the US.

  9. Troy 2014.11.19

    Larry,

    Just hoping you get the Democratic Party you want, made in your image.

  10. GoJacksJC 2014.11.19

    Could be quixotic, but I wonder if it might be worth investigating utilizing a strategy like the state's Dakota Roots (http://www.dakotaroots.com/)program to try to entice progressives who have left South Dakota to return [maybe call it Liberal Lineage]. The probability of success could be improved by establishing an initial dialogue with the progressive expatriates to see what could prompt a return to SD. We could start with people from elsewhere who already donate to the SDDP. This initiative could potentially increase the number of Democrat voters and donors.

    Regardless, I think the party needs to adopt a more organic/grassroots model rather than simply asking for donations. This could be in the form of town halls and forums, particularly in non-election years, to establish and sustain regular communication with local individuals who might not currently vote Democrat but could in the future.

  11. Taunia 2014.11.19

    We're all going to have to go back to the basics and start over at the very local levels. There aren't a lot of people that know how to do the basics anymore, but the basics are critical and the building blocks if we ever want anything to change.

    1. Can SDDP host a Wellstone-equivalent 3 day program in early 2016 for candidates, staff and organizers, using the talents of former and current office holders and issue campaigners?

    2. Can SDDP hold monthly conference calls with SD Democrats (with a callin number) to keep in a more personal touch with and listen to concerns, questions and suggestions of the voters?

    3. Can SDDP implement a rapid response program where information on a hot issue (such as during the legislative session and election) can be distributed to encourage discussion, research, understanding and encouraging contact with a voter's electeds/candidates?

    4. Can the SDDP develop a program wherein there is more education with individual county committees and officers on strengthening the individual county committees? ie: basic community organizing, voter registration drives, canvassing, GOTV, candidate search/vetting, effective campaigning and fundraising as a committee?

    5. Will SDDP provide access to and education of voter software programs (Nation Builder, NGP/VAN) to county committees to encourage local voter contact, education and support for county candidates and incumbents?

    6. Can SDDP keep a running blog or email-type base of current state issues, where the parties stand, legislative movement, etc. - a voter education base?

    ~these are off the top of my head that I do not see available at the state website.

  12. Roger Cornelius 2014.11.19

    Taunia,
    I don't read any blog where I am not allowed to comment because the blog owner is a coward and fears the truth, I also don't read blogs that don't a recognizable name.

    As to Troy and his typical DWC comment, shallow, Crago cannot be expected to implement SDDP strategy across the country, but Troy always seems to have a problem with reality.

    The partisan Democrat has been dying to ask how he feels about helping some of the corrupt Republican politicians get elected. I have come to believe that the SDGOP takes a pledge to endorse corruption.

  13. Taunia 2014.11.19

    Haven't been to DWC in a long time myself, Roger, although I will happily saunter over there if Rounds is indicted, just to show my support.

    I'm certain nothing has changed over at the unremarkable echo chamber. Integrity is not in the vocabulary over there.

    I'm grateful for most of the well-reasoned people who comment here and grateful Cory is providing this forum.

    I hope SDDP is taking notes and notice of this place.

  14. grudznick 2014.11.19

    Tim, if you just keep doing what you've been doing, I will be miserable. Oh, so miserable.

    Mr. H, if Mr. Pressler actually does run against you for party chair that might be your closest race. Otherwise you are a giant boot in.

  15. judy judy 2014.11.20

    Taunis

    Your "to do list" is insightful and contains much of what should be done. Ironically, except for providing local parties with organizational tools and training, it mirrors much of what the SDDP claims they are doing. All of which goes to show you if you don't have people motivated and capable of following a plan, a plan won't do you much good. For example, the state party's constitution requires the Party to hold a least four Central Committee meetings a year. It has held only three since last October. Worse yet, the state party has held only three Executive Board meetings since last October too. So much for communicating with members and so much for supervising the staff and submitting the organization to review and accountability.

    The state party has been in bad shape for a long time but it entered a free-fall situation when Ben Nesselhuf and Krago took over. Ben simply didn't believe in organization so he abandoned the County Party structure and concentrated all activity in his staff. If you will remember, he had such poor election results he resigned from his 4 year term as chair two years early and quickly moved to Iowa. This left Krago with an operating example which, being all he knew, he continued to follow in spades, with predictably disastrous results.

    Currently, the state party and its masters (whoever they are-- Who really is in charge anyway?) do not respect county parties and rank and file Democrats. It is a "wine and cheese" party that needs wholesale change before it can begin to effectively implement the true "grassroot", George McGover-like work Taunia writes about.

  16. John Hess 2014.11.20

    The majority of people want to live with relative harmony, not with the dysfunction they see. When the Democrats swept in power nationally a few years back they pronounced the virtual end of the Republican party. Stupid and short sighted. People (in the middle, swing voters) didn't like what they saw so the pendulum came back quickly. Even the slogan "Take It Back" sounds divisive like it's something that's only ours. A very nice moderate Republican (who believes in gay marriage even) just told me he stopped and talked to the local Democrats who were just too angry and it was very off putting. Cory has had ceaseless attacks on Ann Bosworth who was not a threat and is obviously a bit troubled. People observe this from a party that thinks they have more compassion (for everyone conceivably?). It's been a real hate fest and Bill wonders why people are turned off. Really? It tells me you're unable to see beyond your own perspectives. The comments on this blog confirm that so I doubt there's a future that any of you can bring to this party. If there is one (which seems very uncertain) it will be with centrists with a unifying message who probably feel there's no place for them right now.

  17. larry kurtz 2014.11.20

    Troy: that is happening in New Mexico while the people of my home state are dying slow, agonizing deaths by a thousand cuts. You are in my thoughts as praying for the Yellowstone supervolcano has become SOP over coffee every morning.

  18. Troy 2014.11.20

    John Hess,

    I agree. Both parties have this problem from their most fanatic. I can be and am friends with many liberals. Neither of us are bad people, corrupt, or stupid. We just disagree on what is best for the nation, its future, and its people.

    My first exposure to politics was as a Teen-Age Republican. I did literature drops, helped in parades, etc. to elect Republicans. And, as a person growing up in Pierre, my friends included the children of Governor Kniep, Governor Wollman, and School and Lands Commissioner Kane. My Grandfather knew McGovern very well even though they were on opposite side. During the 1980 Senate campaign, while in an Abdnor t-shirt, McGovern and I ran into each other and had a personal conversation. While I virtually oppose nearly every major policy of McGovern's, worked on Abdnor's campaign, and worked for Abdnor in DC, I never doubted McGovern's sincerity which is why I sponsored McGovern night at the Canaries stadium in honor to his service, a night where much of the night was two St. Louis Cardinal fans (McGovern and Abdnor) spend most of the night talking as old friends. Abdnor even made a donation to the McGovern Center at Dakota Wesleyan where if I recall correctly he has a small room (I've never been there despite an intention to stop and see it).

    If the essence of the Democrat message is Republican office holders and Republican voters are corrupt, this will not only not attract Republicans but will turn off Independents who in general a majority of have supported Republicans across the board with just a few exceptions.

    We aren't corrupt and the charge isn't believable. We just disagree.

  19. Les 2014.11.20

    Only 48 more states to go and y'll have em all up n runnin now that you have Mt and Nm all tuned up, Lar. I can't think of a better person to put in the job of SDDP chair than you Lar.

  20. larry kurtz 2014.11.20

    Les, if the money was there i would start a Dem version of DWC.

  21. jerry 2014.11.20

    John T. has a disturbing blog about the Imitated measure 18 and how there was an open forum put on by the Chamber of Commerce for both sides to defend their positons. Turns out they invited Democratic involvement in the forum as this was a Democratically pushed process that was passed, but there were no takers. So when there is an opportunity to show the difference between the parties and how they stand for actual economic development, the leadership of the party stays home. So that answers why voters stay home as well.

  22. leslie 2014.11.20

    even i got the wide-spread request, and though a petition circulator, was not well enough versed to address the media request at the last minute.

  23. tara volesky 2014.11.21

    There is not much difference between a Democrat or a Republican in SD. The only true Democrat that stood out was Rick Weiland.

  24. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.11.21

    John H, if your moderate Republican friend is any more comfortable with the anger, hatred, and ridicule that comes from the SDGOP party honchos, your friend is suffering a serious case of selective indignance.

    Jerry, if I'm in town an the Chamber wants a Dem speaker, I'll be happy to attend.

    Add Taunia to the short list for SDDP chair. We may need a Dakota Roots program like GoJacks suggests to bring her back, but it may be worth it!

  25. Bill Fleming 2014.11.21

    If there's one thing the GOP is good at, it's crying crocodile tears. Somebody call the wah-mbulence. LOL

  26. leslie 2014.11.22

    i asked les or grudz if they voted for I-17 but meant I-18, based on their bitching... my misrememberence.

  27. grudznick 2014.11.22

    Ms. Leslie, I must have missed your question. I have never voted for any interstate that I can recall. I really don't like big roads and hate riding on I-90 or that scarier I-190 thing that is like a little drag strip between the old Indian log cabin at Halley park and the roundabout turns out on the main interstate.

    I don't know where I-17 or I-18 are, but since I-17 must run north and south and I-18 runs east only I bet the intersection of the two of them is really bad and I would vote against both. I am against them.

  28. leslie 2014.11.22

    cory gonna throw yer ass outta here funny man/woman. it musta been les, yer twin. thx.

  29. grudznick 2014.11.22

    I'm very sorry, Ms. Leslie, if I have somehow offended you. Mr. Les is not my twin and in fact I often disagree with him and find him a disagreeable fellow. And while I admit to have often enraged Mr. H with my outlogicing of him in certain areas I really don't think it is warranted for you to call for him to put my head on a post right at this time. I'm am a fairly kind old man, and do not mean to offend you.

  30. leslie 2014.11.22

    not u personally, sir; just most of your posts are "trickiely" and intentionally repugnant

  31. caheidelberger Post author | 2014.11.22

    Hey, what are you two fighting about? And did anyone get video of Zach Crago's speech?

  32. Tim 2014.11.22

    I was going to ask if Crago said anything we haven't already heard.

  33. Les 2014.11.22

    Grud should have been an attorney eerrrrr maybe not. I guess Grud kickin leslie's a$$ at Maddville doesn't mean cheet.. Purty funny if nuttin else lessy poo. I voted yes to give more wages and yes to take them back in Deadwierd. Oh, and yes I voted for my choice of docs.

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