SD: History not on Kerry's side, but state Democrats ready to try

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Some election watchers give John Kerry a small chance of becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to win in South Dakota. But for Kerry to take the state - where 48 percent of registered voters are Republicans - he will have to overcome a long history of South Dakotans electing Republicans to the nation's highest office.

"There's always a chance," said Bill Richardson, head of the political science department at the University of South Dakota. "I think it's remote, but there is always a chance based upon what can befall President Bush that's way out of his control."

The economy and the status of the war in Iraq are the main potential pitfalls for Bush, Richardson said. Negative developments on one or both of those fronts could lead to a Kerry win in South Dakota, he said. The war Iraq could be a particularly sensitive issue for South Dakota, where a high percentage of people have been called to serve with National Guard units overseas, said Richardson.

"Those numbers add up and become highly visible, and sooner or later attempts to link them to Vietnam connect with people. That's where Kerry (a Vietnam veteran) might be able to get some traction," said Richardson.
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/8129954.htm

[Mattforclark]

1. That's right!

South Dakota is a swing state! We should throw money into it, and win its 3 electoral votes. South Dakota already has 2 dem senators, and after the special election, it will have an all dem congressional delegation. I mean, its obviously a blue state in the making. But we should ignore Florida, because it has a Republican governor.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. I think the Kerry campaign means it when they say a 50 state campaign

and if the flow of internet donations keeps up, they'll have the money to do so.

we CAN win Florida, just as we did in 2000, of course we have a better chance in FL than SD or MT where I live, but we are going to fight the Republicans on every front.

[jburton]

3. Maybe Daschle will even vote for him!

Somebody let Tom know that votes are secret, so he won't be scared to vote with the Democrats.

[nator311]

4. we've come close a few times

in 72, 76, 88, and I think 92. So it is definetly worth a shot. If Kerry comes here a lot and proves that he respects the concerns of SD, he can win here. After all, it already has 2 dem senators and soon might also have a dem in the House representing them.