smuelectionprojectsd

McCain takes SD with a shakeup in the House & Senate

2008-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

McCain takes SD by 8%. Out of roughly 60 counties, Obama only carried about 15. The counties that McCain did carry, he usually won by a high percentage. Only one county was a dead tie.

I think McCain was always the clear winner of South Dakota, and Obama did not spend as much time campaigning there for the 3 electoral votes.

SD Secretary of State reports that rejected Measure 11 to reject abortions throughout the state. The pro-abortionists have held out strong stances. They have not backed down. There is a projected 700 abortion deaths a year, or about 85% of mothers not having a baby because "she did not desire to." I find it extremely hard to believe such a conservative state has so many pro-abortionists.

Another problem SD may face is that half of their House members will be new. There will be a quick learning period for the 34 out of 70 House members. 16 of the 35 members of the State Senate are also new, however most of them came from the House. Should be interesting!

All 3 Votes...headed to the GOP ticket

2008-11-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

With the final hours counting down to the election, South Dakota is considered a solid Red state. McCain has been leading for the past few months and I call this one McCain. Although SD is contributing only 3 electoral votes, every little bit helps for McCain.

SD - Lookin' Red

2008-10-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

With only 10 days to go, it looks like South Dakotans want McCain for their electoral votes. McCain has led in polls throughout the election and currently he is leading Obama 48%-41%.

McCain campaign spokesman, Tom Steward, said "voters in this region want a candidate who supports the Second Amendment, low taxes and a balanced energy policy that includes domestic resources." This seems to be a trend with other Mid-Western States.

Historically, South Dakota hasn't backed a Democratic candidate since 1964, although Bill Clinton lost by only a few points in '92 and '96.

Although the South Dakota Democratic party is calling for a surge in voter registration and voting drives, I still call the state a solid Red state.

Measure 11 to help McCain?

2008-09-21T13:16:00.001-07:00

South Dakota adds proposal for abortion restrictions to ballot for the second time. Measure 11 would ban abortions with the exception of rape, incest or the the case that the health and life of the mother is in danger. There was a similar, yet more restrictive proposal in 2006.

If passed, a doctor who performs an abortion, without proof of the above circumstances, would be under investigation for a class 4 felony charge.

Looks like the pro-life group is going strong in SD...a good note for the McCain camp.

Poll update

2008-09-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

McCain leads Obama 54% to 37% in a recent Rasmussen Report

50 days to go

2008-09-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

South Dakota is generally a Republican state. They have only voted 4 times Democrat: 1896, 1932, 1936, and 1961. Currently SD is considered a 'leaning Republican state.'

47.3% of the state are registered Republican voters, compared to a 37.6% of registered Democrat voters. Voting history: Bush carried the state in 2004, 60%-38%.

A recent story in the Daily Republic claims that there has been a surge in voter registrations...this time Democratic. Rick Hauffe, executive director of the Democratic Party in SD said "the shift in registration momentum is invigorating for a party that's been in the minority since 1979." He also said that it is time for the Republican domination to end.

The surge is a positive for the Democrats, but I still hold strong this state is on the McCain - Palin ticket all the way.