Not only are we backing Rick Weiland in the white-hot South Dakota Senate race, but we're going to help get out the Native American vote. Isn't democracy awesome?
The political gods are smiling on us, gifting us a real race in South Dakota and putting yet another roadblock in the GOP's attempt to win a Senate majority.
But it's not just the emergence of a legitimate three-way race in a state Republicans had already penciled in as an easy win, it's the fact that we can actually upgrade our caucus on the "better Democrats" front from the outgoing Democrat Tim Johnson. I mean, look at Democrat Rick Weiland's answers to our endorsement questionnaire. This isn't a Blue Dog that we're backing. We're backing a genuine prairie populist at a time when control of the Senate hangs on the line. We're not holding our noses on this one, we're in full-heartedly.
Money is now flowing into the state, but much of it is outside spending which can't be coordinated with the campaign. The DSCC is spending a million simply bashing Republican Mike Rounds. They don't care much if Weiland or independent Larry Pressler wins, figuring either will caucus with the Dems. Their efforts are helpful! But if we want a true populist champion to win, it's up to people like us to help Weiland directly.
But that's not all! Check out this Reddit Ask Me Anything with ace South Dakota political journalist David Montgomery. Asked by our own Jeff Singer what Weiland's path to victory looked like, he answered:
1) Hold his current support. 2) Draw as many moderate and liberal voters from Larry Pressler -- while driving as few Pressler voters to Rounds. 3) Withstand a likely barrage of negative advertising. 4) Keep Rounds' support as low as possible. 5) Turn out the vote on reservations and in Sioux Falls on Election Day.
The first will be easy, the second is on Weiland's campaign, which is why we're raising money for him, the third we can't control, the fourth is being taken care of by the DSCC's negative ad barrage, and the fifth? I bolded that last one because we're going to directly do something about that. In addition to Weiland, we're fundraising for a PAC focused on turning out voters at South Dakota reservations: the South Dakota NDN Election Efforts PAC. This PAC is run by friends of Meteor Blades and Navajo, and can literally provide the margin of victory in an election that will likely be won by hundreds of votes.
Here's my goal: I want to raise $50,000 for this Native American GOTV effort. Their ideal budget is $200,000, but let's start with a more realistic goal. Prove me wrong and too conservative and let's blow by that goal. I'm in for $100 to Weiland, $250 to the GOTV effort. I only need you to chip in $3 for each.
If you've already given, pressure is off you. But there are hundreds of thousands of you who still haven't engaged, and in this 50-50 election, the side that sits on the sideline will lose. Don't let it be us. So how about it? Three bucks to have a progressive senator from South Dakota? Another three bucks for those fighting hard to bring out the Native American vote? Do it. Now.
Please go below the fold for more information on the South Dakota NDN Election Efforts PAC.
P.S.: The PAC is run by State Rep. Kevin Killer. Here's how he describes his PAC:
The purpose of the SD NDN PAC is to support Native American interests and issues through election efforts. These include supporting candidates, initiatives and voter registration and mobilzation that will protect, respect and uphold the rights of Native Americans living in South Dakota.
As GOTV efforts occur in this election, the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires) will be uniquely positioned to help influence the US Senate race. Working on various political campaigns since 2004 has provided a unique perspective to say with the right amount of resources invested in the the right communities, there is an opportunity for Native Americans to make their voices heard and felt at the National level.
As we work with the Federal Government through our unique relationship established by the 1851 and 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaties it is important that we have Senators who understand and respect this partnership by working with tribes on a equal level. Leaders such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, Inkpaduta have died to protect these rights for future generations.
Native communities in South Dakota are trending younger and by investing resources into this race, we are making an effort to protect the rights of future generations. Having been a candidate elected in part by the youth vote, I know first hand of the potential this generation has and what is required to get them active.
Our Native communities suffer from some of the worst statistics imaginable but we have the opportunity to reverse these through your investment in this race. This election will have an effect on all of us and we need to do what we can to ensure our future generations will have the rights and abilities to move our Native communities forward.
-Rep. Kevin Killer
Here is their Facebook page.
Meteor Blades wrote this primer on the American Indian vote last year.
Here's some local media coverage of Rep. Killer's GOTV efforts. This is about as grassroots as you can get. Your donation will help pay for gas for GOTV vehicles, lodging for organizers, radio ads (which are a big deal in the reservations), and food for volunteers.
What are you waiting for? Chip in now, and let's win this Senate race!