Some observations on recent South Dakota political activities.
On the Republican side, as we’ve gotten the first of our primary elections behind us and gearing up for the run-offs, what is glaring is that it used to be “all politics is local”; today, it’s more like “all politics is national.”
Almost all South Dakota statewide and national office Republican candidates went out of their way to position themselves as Trump-aligned or at least give the appearance of such. Gubernatorial candidate Toby Doeden, for one, is building on his “outsider” candidacy, formed in the image and likeness of Donald Trump. It feels like a Doeden “mini-me” avatar of DJT! Trump endorsements of the likes of Ken Paxton in Texas and other Senatorial candidates are parroted by support/endorsements funneled through Doeden’s Dakota First Action PAC. Loyalty is the ultimate litmus test.
Unfortunately, South Dakota Democrats suffer from a similar ilk. As much enthusiasm, or at least respect, was on display during former President Joe Biden’s recent keynote at the McGovern Day dinner. The question that should haunt South Dakota Democrats is whether anything was learned from the 2024 election. Say what you will about dislike for Trump corruption and policies, he was returned to power because of rabid dislike for Biden, Democrats and key elements of their agenda, particularly in the areas of immigration (southern border) and the economy. And Biden waited far too long to exit the race.
In my opinion, DJT has wasted the nation’s time and attention span on a slew of personal obsessions: tariffs, Greenland, a ballroom, retribution, the outcome of the 2020 election and an ill-considered war. Pendulums swing, and the extent to which that happens (or doesn’t) will be the story of the midterms.
Bill KubatSioux Falls
