I have thought about this for awhile. Have Jeff and I had our disagreements? Oh, yeah. But there is one thing I like about Barth, he speaks his mind, and believes what he believes. He is an Old Skool Democrat and liberal.
Someone asked me the other day, “Who has a better chance of beating Noem?” I said, Varilek of course, but let’s face the facts, neither one will be able to beat the Republican money machine and the West River podunks who love a congressperson in tight Wrangler jeans. I don’t want to see either Barth or Varilek in tight jeans, heck, I don’t even want to see them in a Snuggie. But I do want whoever runs against Noem to needle the heck out of her.
So why Jeff Barth?
Because he will truly question her on her record and won’t let her slither away. Varilek, not so much.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST2K4U_XQ5Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/youtube]
Barth has a very interesting 5-minute video on You Tube where he tries to make his case, with a good bit of humor and tenacity.
I agreed with l3wis, we need a Democrat or an opposition candidate to poke a sharp point into the balloon otherwise know as Noem. The only way someone other than a GOP can win in South Dakota is by having very focused views and principles. Mr. V may be a nice guy but he is to weak being a real Democrat. He may have the money and big names but it does not give him the right to be Tim Johnson, Jr.
Mr. V may have thought he was safe with his recent marriage pronouncement but he is not. He should have pressed a solid case in favor of it, instead he chose to cheat what might be his real feelings. We do not know. Right now I have a bad feeling about where he stands on many other principles.
With the limited dollars available to the Democratic primary winner, all funds should go toward someone whose gut reaction to such a volatile issue was based on basic principle. Thanks Jeff Barth for reminding of a simple fact of life. You have shown us what principles are like in real life and how they can effect people.
We may not always agree with you Jeff, but your gut reaction shows you have principles.
Barth will defeat Noem. He will play her like he just played Varilek. The state chess champion knows how to checkmate his opponents.
CL – I hope you are right. It would be refreshing to see someone like Barth beat Noem.
Varilek sounded very scripted today on Bill Janklow’s idea of public radio; Barth is scheduled for an interview, too.
The video is cute as Hell: Varilek may have to evolve.
Thanks to Barth and the web-news trolls talking about this ad nationally we look like backwoods bumpkins again. All this ad is missing is a corn mash still. How embarrassing.
I enjoyed the ad. Barth understands the problems that SD is tired of.
I still don’t know if he has the money to win anything but he is certainly more inspiring than Varilek.
LK – Your right, Varilek is scripted.
Brian – Embarrassing? Really? The son of a diplomat who personally had genuine blue-collar work experiences is not embarrassing. He is someone who can reach a cross the table and relate to anyone. Representatives are meant to represent us all, not just the established few.
This ad is fun, and truthful. The one thing I love about Kermit is that he has a sense of humor, and we have had many great laughs. This ad made me laugh. And if Jeff wins the primary, I will help him.
Jeff is certainly creative compared to Varilek. Have you seen Varilek’s mailings? He appears unimportant measured (literally) against his former and current bosses. Big pictures of them, little picture of Varilek. It is as though he wants us to think Dems are voting for former or soon to be former Senators and not for him.
It is neat to see how you can promote yourself on YouTube these days for no money at all. Which makes the last line “this ad paid for by” even funnier.
I’m sorry…if you are embarrassed by this ad, it is only because you suffer from serious self-esteem issues. While not entirely unheard of around here (How many times was I anxiously asked “What do you think of Sioux Falls?” when I first moved here?), I’ve seen largely positive reviews from the pundits around the country who have seen it. And the rubber chicken falling from the sky is priceless!
It’s interesting to watch Barth’s YouTube pc…….
Then watch yesterday’s KELO pc, “Dems Talk About Quirky Ad”, where they show Varilek’s ad that he did last Xmas when he says, “I want my little girls to grow up in a State with leaders they can be proud of.”
Varilek has lived in Washington D.C. for years……Win or Lose, does this mean he intends to relocate to South Dakota to raise his children!!??
Then watch today’s AL pc, Noem Calls Allegations ‘Hogwash’, …….pay close attention to her disingenuous response when Jonathan Ellis asks why the AL still has not rec’d the documentation regarding her attendance.
She also talks about how she and her staff prioritize meetings……….she tries to justify her absence at her first AG committee meeting in favor of attending a meeting regarding wind energy.
Really…………
This is the response from South Dakota’s lone representative in the U.S. Congress, an AG STATE!!
As I read the Noem story, all I thought about was how pathetic our press (both local and national) has become. The headline on both TV and in the newspaper is Noem calling the allegations ridiculous, and the meat of the story is her explanation that committee meetings overlap. Is it possible? Probably not, but we’ll never know as NOBODY asks a followup or demands proof. Today’s news cycle, from Fox to KELO, will be that the story is done because Kristi has a simple explanation.
The Barth ad might be the SD political ad of the year —and it was probably produced for pennies.
He just might win the primary. If he does, he faces an uphill battle, but will be quite a campaign, to be sure. And depending on the weather on election day, lightning might strike.
I’d pay a cover charge to watch a Barth-Noem debate.
The ad was just on MSNBC.
As for Snooki, she has had a tough month, the house was in session 10 days. Was she there? http://rncnyc2004.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012-congressional-calendar-for-us.html
Talk about bang for the buck. And no commission to an out of state ad agency.
For anyone who thinks the congressional race is a slam dunk, go ahead and double down on your bets.
I’m going to cool my jets and wait and see.
Good ad. Imaginative and entertaining. Barth will get some money in donations from it now that its national news.
He was a bit out of breath, he should probably take up hiking or biking.
I think Barth’s resume puts Noem’s to shame.
And I would agree, he probably needs to get in shape, but I am not one to talk
Heck, he was walking DOWN HILL!
Take your meds THC and there’s no reason for you to be sorry. You are obviously too busy counting your toes to have come up with this political ad. You libs are wound a bit too tight. You make it interesting though, I just pull the pin and watch you red eyed crazies go BOOM. I’m….a… bit…winded…typing…this …. post… HEHE.
I was thrilled to hear that Jeff Barth was running, and recently was thrilled to see his video. I worked for the Minneahaha County Treasurer during the huge debate that was the “new & improved” state system. Barth was on our side the whole time, and was seen in our office regularly talking to Pam and others to see what he could do. Unlike a few of the other commissioners at the time, Barth wanted to help us in any way possible, and would not rest until we were able to do our jobs without frustration. I am so happy to give back to him now with my vote!!
One reason that Noem could have been too busy to attend all her various meetings is because she was cramming two or more years of college into one, plus earning her unsupervised intern credits.
“I was thrilled to hear that Jeff Barth was running”
I hope he isn’t (physically), he might not make it to the finish line
“One reason that Noem could have been too busy to attend all her various meetings is because she was cramming two or more years of college into one,”
The only thing she ‘crammed’ was probably some money into someone’s pocket to get this sweet ass deal.
It’s kinda ironic, because she sped everytime she drove, so maybe she sped thru her degree, which also was probably illegal.
Barth might make more of a race out of this than I imagined last week. The guy is on fire and maybe he will come up with some good lines to go after Noem.
If he can roll all of this up and become a lovable bomb thrower that hits the populist cords he might have a chance.
If I was going to pick the nominee I’d want a fighter rather than someone calculating.
That means Barth over Varilek.
Varilek isn’t calculating either, just very predictable.
Detroit and Mike are right. Varilek is just using the same tired formula of the establishment GOP/DEMS to try and make a showing against Noem. If they were actually trying to win they would have worked with Mr. V to build a deep seated message.
Hearing both the other day was painful (Mr. V) and fun (Barth). Even if I did not agree with some of his ideas, Barth was a real Democratic candidate speaking. Varilek acted like a calculating, establishment Republican trying to go up against Noem. I do not want an establishment GOP running against Noem and my values.
The political consultants would like a Mr. V to win but they are mostly interested in keeping the ad commissions they will be receiving. So keep playing it safe Mr. V and if you happen to pull out a win next week, start planning a future out of politics.
“but they are mostly interested in keeping the ad commissions they will be receiving.”
Exactly. They know Varilek will be able to raise more money, or at least establishment money, which will be spent on advertising. Barth will speak his mind and go grassroots, and that pisses them off.
I guess Barth was happy about my endorsement, not so happy about this post:
http://www.southdacola.com/blog/2011/01/increasing-taxes-on-liquor-doesnt-harm-the-liquor-producers/#comments
But after re-reading it, I stick by it, I disagree with Jeff on this issue, I also disagree with him on the Keystone Pipeline, but it doesn’t mean as a whole I can’t support him as a candidate.
I’ve had the same kinda of relationship with another politician, and I am perfectly happy with it. Your best friends will always disagree with you, but will also practice diplomacy in that disagreement and understanding.
Once they stop doing that, they are no longer your friend.