Jimmy Rigged

Epic Fail.

Republican Jim Lee who is a former candidate for state ag commissioner, ward county commissioner, and farmer from Max - made a case yesterday in Bismarck to increase the number of legislative districts.

Lee wants to see the number of legislative districts go from 47 to 54. His rationale being that that the increase in districts would diminish the impact seen on re-districting rural areas.

The reaction?

Very cold. North Dakota winter cold.

Chairman of the Legislature's re-districting committee and Republican Ray Holmberg waived his sassy little finger from side to side with his hand on his hip while saying "nuh-uh I don't think so girl". It didn't go quite like that but in my mind I like to cast Ray Holmberg as that sassy supporting actor who can't muster enough spotlight to take the lead role. Holmberg has stated that the panel will not recommend the addition of districts.

Funny to think that republicans don't want to see more republicans added to the legislature. That is also assuming that republicans would have been elected in those new districts.

All I have to say is "get it Holmberg" (snaps finger).

Stuck between Berg and a Sand Place

Not since the release of Catwoman and Rush Hour 3 have I never been so...unexcited for a movie in my entire life. OH! I get it. Duane Sand's first political advertisement is meant to look like a movie for a trailer. That's a relief because if it was a movie, I would have assumed it's sequel would be a straight to DVD release.

8/8/11 was the launch date and it is still the feature on the main page of his website and the only upload on his youtube channel. Has Duane run out of a little bit of creativity?

I will give him this - he is trading good barbs with Rick Berg. He also threw out the only hail mary that he has which is that Berg is the the only Republican seeking a seat in the Senate that voted yes for Obama's debt deal. Hard to believe, but I don't think that that singular vote is going to be detrimental to Berg as Pomeroy's vote for health care. Sand has also called Berg a "big-spending candidate" who doesn't deserve a promotion to the Senate. It's like high school, but way less interesting.

So I got Duane's side of the story and to be fair I wanted to hear Rick's. So in visiting Rick Berg's campaign website I didn't find a response. I assume that Berg will follow in Hoeven's footsteps and duck and dodge like he did with Mathern (Governor's Race in 2008) and Potter (Senate Race in 2010). In all actuality Hoeven (at the time) and Berg isn't really hurting enough to respond. Although, I did not find Rick Berg's proverbial "b*tch please" response, I did find little diddy:

 

Rick Berg does not live by the North Dakota way, I am not even sure if I do. But I haven't seen substantial change from him and his comrades that were ushered through in 2010 nor have I heard barely anything come out of his mouth that didn't include the words spending or Obamacare.

His hot button words and ploys worked for North Dakota voters in 2010, with Heidi Heitkamp waiting in the wings he will have to come up with something better for 2012.

“You throw the sand against the wind . And the wind blows it back again....again.....again....and AGAIN?!? (Seriously)

Of course the famous quote from William Blake actually reads:

“You throw the sand against the wind. And the wind blows it back again.” Much more beautiful being in that context than the one that I am referring to. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to (for the forth time) candidate Duane Sand. Duane Sand has decided to take on the man who did something he could never do....defeat Earl Pomeroy. In looking at Duane Sand's website www.nochanceinhell.com (kidding, google it..) the three time runner up wastes no time not only bashing President Obama but Rick Berg as well. That makes me like him a little bit more than the average republican....but then I slap myself and regain an intelligent mindset.


Republicans and Democrats across the state have released a unison "huh?" and there may be one thing that we both can agree on....this guy doesn't stand a chance. I mean even on his wikipedia page, the first paragraph outlines his political stumbles.

And wikipedia is smart enough to recognize that Duane Sand not notable or reliable. So they put a disclaimer on the page. (I know that's not what they mean, but it is pretty funny right?) 


Not to mention thanks to Alvin Jaegar (for once) the Secretary of State and it's website is good for something....outlining Sand's lackluster campaign record! Let's take a trip down memory lane:

2000 - Senate against our homeboy Conrad 

2004 - Against Earl the Pearl Pomeroy

2008 - Because it wasn't bad enough the first time.

So let's look at is this way 2000, 2004, 2008 - all presidential years. I hate to tell you Mr. Sand, riding the coattail of republicans on a national level hasn't helped you even in the most promising of years for you. Not to mention you are now taking on the establishment in your own party. I mean best of luck to you because I would love to see you both dismantle each other and you leave a chink in Rick Berg's armor so ND Democrats can officially retire him from politics.


Oh I forget, he is endorsed by Sharon Angle. Who can forget that political treat? So does this mean Sand is a tea party candidate now? Well let's check our standard tea party candidate requirement list:

Whelp, congratulations Duane. You win this....and at least and something for once.


Good luck.

Like Us....Love Us....Hate Us....Just do it.

Heit's Kamp says something....FINALLY

UMMMM, I hate to ask the DEM-NPL party this but....what was the other exciting news I missed? Don't get me wrong Pam Gulleson did get me excited but that was after I was told a little bit about past and googled her. THIS IS THE NEWS THAT NORTH DAKOTA DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

The clouds have separated and down has floated the messiah of liberal beings in this state. Heitkamp is one of a couple of democratic legacies (one of which being the Schneiders) who we as liberal but stock into breaking through to victory. Except for the fact that Jasper and Mac are in political marinade - soaking in liberal energy, intelligence, and experience that will make them more formidable candidates than they already are. I mean who could forget that completely adorable picture of Japser in a wheat field? I voted for him.

Having Heidi Heitkamp at the top of the ticket is what many view as the only hinging hope for democrats in this state. Even in the most bleeding blue moments in this nation (2006 and 2008) democrats haven't been elected with the ease that their counterparts have in other states...or at all. And not to mention that in 2010, the plague which almost completely obliterated every democrat running. Including my a couple of my favorites (JoNell Bakke, Bob Thorne, Louis Pinkerton, Ben Vig, and Lisa Wolf)  - such a shame.

So hitting the field for the democrats (tentatively and hopefully) would be Heitkamp (Senate), Gulleson (Congress), and Taylor (Governor...maybe). That's as strong of a ticket as the democrats are going to see, so if democrats believe in prayer - they better get to going now...and if they don't - they better start.

Other offices that are up for election this cycle are:

Auditor - Who a very qualified democrat named Daryl Splichal lost to a very unqualified Bob Peterson last election.

Treasurer - Anyone could do this job as Republican and only female member of higher elected off in this state has routed all of her duties to the legislature....as result of the very micromanaging republican controlled legislature and her lazy self. Can I start cranking the rumor mill or maybe the curiosity mill and say that the recently elected party treasurer and former candidate for Fargo Commission - Melissa Sobolik would be a nice addition to this female empowering ticket. Sobolik made very impressive splashes in her first go about in elected politics. She remains active, engaged, relatable, and visible although she was not elected.

Insurance Commissioner - Now this one in 2008 was a heart breaker. I mean COME ON...WHEAT FIELD! No but seriously, Jasper Schneider campaigned his political a*s off and Adam Hamm did jack nothing and still won. Barely, with less than a percentage point. So does this mean that Hamm is the most vulnerable republican candidate for statewide office...or was Schneider that damn good? I say both.

Public Service Commissioner - All I have to say is poor Cheryl Bergain. Maybe third time is a charm? She would be an excellent commissioner, but can't seem to catch a break.

Superintendent of Public Instruction - Now this position is supposed to be nonpartisan and by logistical nature is but current sitting Superintendent Wayne Sanstead by no secret is a democrat and has appeared on campaign literature in the past. In 2008, rumor has it that this was his last term. Does that mean that fellow liberal and challenger in 2008 Max Laird will take another stab at the ticket? Or Sanstead was very personable with former District 3 Democrat and educator Lisa Wolf and has her begged for the spot. Laird has the name recognition but I believe that Lisa Wolf would be awesome.

All this election talk has me excited for 2012, it will be a tough year for democrats but if they solidify a strong ticket with equally strong staff I believe we can turn some those reds to blues. These names aren't even confirmed and some aren't even rumored, just a couple of my thoughts and opinions. Additionally, these names don't mention some names of those that were ousted in 2010 that could be good candidates like mighty mouse Ben Vig.

Only time will tell, but these people need to hurry. I don't care what anyone says, democrats need a head start on republicans and there is no time like the present. They are now saying if we stick, we'll win. FALSE - if you work your a*s off you may have a pretty good shot.

The NO SH*T moment of the day.

All I can think about every time I see him is Joe Biden saying "a noun, a verb, and 9/11"

Courtesy of Politico.com

She Says She Shells By The Sea Shore

SOOOO in thumbing through the Fargo Forum today, I ran across a big advertisement featuring the face of First Lady...excuse me Former First Lady of North Dakota Mikey Hoeven. I forget sometimes that we have a new Governor....The advertisement read -

"What do you do when life challenges your faith?"

HER WORDS
HER VOICE
YOUR PAPER

Which gets me all excited because I am hoping that every time I open up a newspaper I hope to hear Mikey remind me that I am one of her kids and that I should stay off of drugs and alcohol if I am not 21 (ironic huh?). Ok, ok, ok....so I am not so delusional and I know that means that she will be writing for the SheSays section in the Fargo Forum meant to inspire women in Fargo/Moorhead and BEYOND! I am not saying that she will be writing about conservative politics (because that would actually require her to know something about politics that doesn't involve smiling and waving) but isn't this a little bit unfair because it does by default give additional exposure to Governor...(dammit excuse me) SENATOR Hoeven? My mind continues to be boggled because the Fargo Forum is the shining beacon for fairness in this political world.....wait nevermind, that is completely wrong.

Just another way that the Senator Hoeven can get some additional spotlight and adoration for being absolutely worthless.

PS - I am actually kinda curious to hear what she advices North Dakota women to do when life challenges their faith....because I'm sure not all North Dakota women can sprinkle a million dollars on the problem to make it go away.