"I believe this federal land grab is a solution in search of a problem," said Noem.  "Multiple use management of these lands has been successful. We should continue what has worked in order to preserve and protect these lands and to ensure these lands are available to be enjoyed by the public."

"This bill would open the door to the possible reduction and elimination of grazing on the designated lands; It would threaten the rights and livelihoods of those with grazing permits in the proposed wilderness areas; and it also has the potential to compromise the control of forest fires, prairie dogs, and noxious weeds in the designated areas. Wilderness designation would also adversely affect motorized recreation and rock hounds," said Noem.

"We need to look no further than the Black Hills to see how the federal government manages the land we hand over to them. Our federal forests have been neglected and mismanaged by the bureaucracy and now we are dealing with an extremely serious pine beetle epidemic and the threat of catastrophic fire,” Noem said.

The bill, S. 3310, would designate as wilderness areas nearly 50,000 acres in the Indian Creek, Red Shirt, and Chalk Hills areas of Western South Dakota. There is significant opposition to this proposed wilderness designation from those who live near, use, and who own grazing rights to the lands at issue.

There is overwhelming local opposition to S 3310. The county commissions in Pennington, Custer, Meade, Fall River, and Jackson counties have passed resolutions opposing the wilderness designation. Over two dozen South Dakota organizations oppose the wilderness designation including the South Dakota Stockgrowers and Black Hills Regional Multiple Use Coalition. Governor Rounds also opposes this wilderness designation.

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“Last week Kristi described this Administration’s environmental regulator as the most anti-farmer, anti-rancher, anti-small business EPA in U.S. history. She asked Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin to join her in calling for Administrator Jackson’s resignation. Instead of joining Kristi in sending a clear message to Washington opposing the bureaucratic grip these regulators are placing on South Dakota ag producers, the incumbent Congresswoman produced a slick television ad with nothing more than beautiful shots of our state and empty rhetoric,” said Kristi Noem for Congress Campaign Manager Joshua Shields.

“Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin’s latest ad speaks of stopping the EPA, but South Dakotans deserve, and expect, more than simply drafting a bill with no chance of passage. Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin should join Kristi immediately in calling for EPA Administrator Jackson to resign,” said Shields.

“Now the EPA is looking into regulating traditional ammunition. Kristi Noem strongly opposes the EPA taking this step. Where will Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin stand? On the side of South Dakota gun owners and hunters? Or on the side of the most anti-farmer, anti-rancher, anti-small business and now the most anti-hunter EPA in U.S. history?” said Shields.

THE EPA IS WORKING TO REGULATE...

AMMUNITION

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headed by Lisa Jackson is now considering a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), a leading anti-hunting organization. This petition would ban all traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976. When originally passed by Congress, the law expressly exempted ammunition.”—EPA considers ban on traditional ammunition, Examiner.com, 8/26/10

DUST

“Farmers and ranchers getting fined for creating too much dust? As part of a Clean Air Act the Environmental Protection Agency is asking for twice as strict dust regulations.”—Senators fight against potential EPA dust regulation, KHAS-TV, 8/3/10

& DELAYING E15 ETHANOL

“From our vantage point in South Dakota, it's hard to understand why the Environmental Protection Agency is delaying a decision about ethanol blends yet again.In many ways, waiting puts some plans for the growing industry - one that's key to South Dakota's future - on hold. It's the EPA's job to ensure that the Clean Air Act standards are met, but it also feels as though officials at the agency are dragging their feet.”—Delaying E15 ruling is limiting ethanol industry, Argus Leader Editorial, 6/24/10

YET CONGRESSWOMAN HERSETH SANDLIN HAS DONE NOTHING BUT PRODUCE TELEVISION ADS AND INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT GOES NOWHERE.

HERSETH SANDLIN AD TRANSCRIPT: “In Washington, they call this fly-over country. They look down from 30,000 feet and don’t care about our agriculture, the 2nd Amendment, or our fiscally conservative values. I’m Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and that’s why I’m working to stop the EPA regulations that hurt agriculture. I took on liberal leaders to protect our right to own guns, and fought people in both parties who want to just throw money away. I approve this message because no matter which party is in charge, I do what’s right for South Dakota.

HERSETH SANDLIN PRESS RELEASE: “Rep. Herseth Sandlin is a cosponsor of H.R. 4396, the Save our Energy Jobs Act. Introduced by Rep. Pomeroy, this bill prohibits the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions without the explicit direction or authority from Congress to do so.”

H.R.4396

Title: Save Our Energy Jobs Act
Sponsor: Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND] (introduced 12/16/2009) Cosponsors (22)
Latest Major Action: 12/16/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

HERSETH SANDLIN PRESS RELEASE: “Rep. Herseth Sandlin is a cosponsor of H.R. 4572, introduced by Rep. Skelton, which would amend the Clean Air Act to make clear it does not allow for regulation of greenhouse gases as it relates to global climate change, would amend the 2007 Energy Bill to stop EPA from including indirect land use changes in determining American renewable fuels policy, and would broaden the definition of renewable biomass to strengthen the American biofuels industry.”

H.R.4572

Title: To amend the Clean Air Act relating to greenhouse gases, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Skelton, Ike [MO-4] (introduced 2/2/2010) Cosponsors (17)
Related Bills: S.636, S.3381
Latest Major Action: 2/2/2010 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

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Contact: Joshua Shields
605.323.8601

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“Seniors have worked hard and paid into the system and as South Dakota’s next U.S. Representative I will protect Social Security for those in retirement and nearing retirement.  I will oppose any efforts to privatize Social Security.  For younger workers we need to look for bipartisan solutions that will keep the program solvent,” said Noem.

“I will also work to repeal the trillion dollar health are bill passed this year that includes $500 million in cuts to Medicare.  The bill puts bureaucrats between patients and their doctor and pays for it with cuts to essential programs like Medicare.  This is the wrong direction for health care,” said Noem.

“I wanted to make my position clear on this issue before others use the standard Washington, DC Democrat playbook to try and distort my record and scare seniors,” said Noem.

View the signed pledge here.

“This poll reflects what I am hearing on the campaign trail, South Dakotans are frustrated with the growth in overnment, the reckless spending and the borrowing against our children’s future.  It’s irresponsible.  This poll shows that a growing number of South Dakotans are ready for their only voice in the U.S. House to speak on behalf of them,” said Noem.

“Polls will go up and down, we expect this race to be very close until Election Day - which is the only poll that matters,” said Noem.

From Rasmussen Reports:

“The latest numbers mark an improvement for the Republican challenger from the 49% to 44% lead she held in July. The month before, right after her Republican Primary win, Noem, a member of the state House of Representatives, jumped out to a 53% to 41% lead over Herseth-Sandlin.

“This is the second time the challenger has crossed the critical 50% mark in matchups with the incumbent. Herseth-Sandlin in several months of surveys has come close only one time, picking up 49% support in February.”

For full poll results click here.

By Matt Lewis, Politics Daily
Posted: 08/3/10

Whether or not 2010 turns out to be the "Year of the Woman" in politics, South Dakota is a state to watch. In what some have dubbed the "hottest" race of the year, two accomplished and charismatic female candidates under the age of 40 are competing for the state's lone seat in the House.

Since winning a special election in 2004, Democratic Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, 39, has easily won re-election to South Dakota's at-large congressional seat. But this year, she faces a tough challenge from state Rep. Kristi Noem, 38.

A July 9 Rasmussen poll, taken just after Noem won the GOP primary, showed her leading Herseth Sandlin by a 49-44 percent margin, with 4 percent supporting a third candidate, and only 3 percent of voters undecided. National Journal calls the race "very winnable" for Republicans.

Roll all's Stu Rothenberg, who wrote about the race and interviewed Noem, tells me, 'She's a terrific candidate -- personable, articulate, attractive, not easily ruffled...very polished."

As a consequence, Democrats in this normally stoic state are starting to freak out. The executive director of the state's Democratic Party has already called Noem an "extremist," and Noem's liberal opponents have dubbed her "South Dakota's Palin."

That's not necessarily a comparison that should hurt Noem in conservative South Dakota. It also isn't much of a stretch to compare her to Alaska's former governor. Noem's Facebook page describes her as "a wife, mother, farmer, rancher, small business owner, and South Dakotan." Apparently, Noem is a hunter. And liberals who took to making fun of the names Bristol, Piper, Track, Willow and Trig might soon come across the names of the Noems' children, Kassidy, Kennedy, and Booker.

Noem's public image is meant to contrast with that of Herseth Sandlin, a graduate of Georgetown University and Georgetown Law School. Herseth Sandlin has probably spent more time in the last 20 years in Washington, D.C., than in South Dakota. After winning in 2004, she married former Texas Congressman Max Sandlin.

Ousting Herseth Sandlin won't be easy. The Herseth name still carries a lot of weight in the state. Herseth Sandlin's grandfather, Ralph Herseth, was a popular conservative Democratic governor, and Herseth Sandlin continues to benefit from his reputation.

She has dominated politically, winning 68 percent of the vote in 2008 and nearly 70 percent in 2006. But it's unlikely to be easy this year.

"I think she's vulnerable," Mike Mears of Concerned Women PAC, says of Herseth Sandlin. "I think this is the year that South Dakota politicians start matching up with South Dakota citizens."

Clearly, 2010 is different for incumbents, and Herseth Sandlin wisely saw that coming. She voted against the bank bailout legislation championed by President Obama and opposed her party's leadership on health care legislation, a move which almost drew her a primary challenge from the left. She later cut a deal with her potential Democratic primary opponent, promising that if he stayed out of the race [as the Rapid City Journal reported], "she would not vote to repeal" the legislation. As Noem campaign manager Josh Shields told me, "That's exactly what people are frustrated with in Washington, D.C. – the backroom deals."

Herseth Sandlin is working hard to portray herself as a conservative Democrat, and the test will be whether or not she can sell that image in this environment – or whether Noem will allow her to do so.

Having already posted a "fact check" video in response to Herseth Sandlin's first TV ad, Noem is aggressively contesting the incumbent's claim to conservatism. Noem's counter talking point? That when voters realize how Herseth Sandlin votes, they won't like it. "The fact that Herseth Sandlin's voting record – 95 percent of the time with [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi – is something that really resonates with South Dakotans," says Josh Shields says sarcastically.

Voters are also about to be reminded that Herseth Sandlin was a co-sponsor of the union-friendly Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), aka "Card Check." Abortion and other social issues may also play a role in the race. Noem is supported by conservative groups such as Concerned Women PAC, The Susan B. Anthony List, and FRC Action PAC, while Herseth Sandlin has previously been backed by the liberal, EMILY's List.

Another wild card is that South Dakota's Republican Sen. John Thune is running unopposed this year. Thune has plenty of money anyway, and seems happy to share his bounty with Noem. He recently hosted a fundraiser for Noem in Rapid City, and has another planned for her in Sioux Falls. Thune's PAC has already contributed to Noem, and there's speculation he might send even more money to her campaign. No word yet on when, or if, Sarah Palin will be coming to the state to endorse this "Mama Grizzly."

“I am serious about cutting spending and while this decision won’t put our fiscal house in order by itself, it’s a clear step in the right direction. Just because a clause in the House rules allows Members of Congress, including our own incumbent Congresswoman, to spend taxpayer money on campaign-style mail pieces in an election year doesn’t make it right. If we are going to get wasteful spending under control, we have to start somewhere,” said Noem.

If elected, Noem would respond to constituent requests but would not send out completely unsolicited, campaign-style mail pieces using the “franking” privilege available to Members of Congress that uses tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds.
 

Reps. Chet Edwards (D-Texas), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) and John M. Spratt Jr. (D-S.C.) need to keep in mind the fate of former Reps. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) and Sue Kelly (R-N.Y.).

Kelly, first elected in 1994, had only one tough race (in 1996) before she was upset in 2006. In the two elections before her defeat, she drew 67 percent and 70 percent. Leach had a tight race in 2002 but coasted to victory in 2004. Two years later, he was upset by Democrat Dave Loebsack , who was widely dismissed by national Democrats.

This cycle, Edwards, Herseth Sandlin and Spratt face the same problems that their one-time Republican colleagues did in 2006. Can they swim against the current and win re-election? The prospects of all three Members are less than bright right now.

Edwards, 58, has been a Republican target for years, and the National Republican Congressional Committee almost got his scalp in 2002, when he was forced to run in a dramatically redrawn district. But as Mark Twain might say, reports of Edwards’ political demise were greatly exaggerated, and he has continued to defeat all kinds of challengers.

A member of the Budget and Appropriations committees, the Texas A&M graduate knows his district. His record has been conservative enough, and his support for the military (and military spending) has been robust enough, to allow him to win re-election even in difficult cycles.

Over the years, I have found the Congressman to be unusually approachable and down-to-earth. He readily acknowledges his challenges this year but notes that he has always found a way to win re-election, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

But 2010 isn’t shaping up to be “about” Edwards, and that’s bad news for the Congressman, who has a policy of not releasing his poll numbers.

Multiple polls (only one of which was conducted by a Republican firm for Edwards’ opponent) show the same thing: Voters in Edwards’ district continue to like him but are now intending to vote for GOP challenger Bill Flores. Edwards represents a very Republican district, and he trails Flores by double digits.

Edwards is running a very aggressive race against Flores, and his hopes of pulling out another win rest on his ability to localize the contest. The Congressman has the resources to do so. He ended June with $2.1 million in the bank and has been hammering Flores, a former Houston oil executive, for everything from misstating his voting history and failing to take steps to save the Big 12 Conference to taking a position that would kill the expansion of a nuclear power plant in the district.

I wouldn’t count out Edwards just yet, but he has an uphill fight.

Far north of Edwards’ district, in South Dakota, Herseth Sandlin suddenly finds herself with unexpected problems. In a contest that some politically incorrect observers are already calling the “hottest” race of the year, Herseth Sandlin, 39, faces state Rep. Kristi Noem (R), 38.

Both women are personable and attractive, but this time Noem is the outsider who should benefit from a strong Republican environment in the state and nationally, as well as from some obvious contrasts.

The Congresswoman, who is married to former Texas Rep. Max Sandlin (D), now a lobbyist, graduated from Georgetown University and Georgetown Law School. Noem attended Northern State University in Aberdeen and South Dakota State University, but she returned to the family farm after her father was killed in a farm accident.

South Dakota is a top agricultural state with more than one-third of our income coming from agriculture. It is important that our only voice in the U.S. House of Representatives have firsthand knowledge of our state's No. 1 business.

Kristi Noem has broken horses, fixed fences and hauled grain to an elevator. She has lived and loved this life. So have her husband and their three children.

Her opponent Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin's connection to the farm is that she was born on one 39 years ago. She obtained her undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Her husband is a lobbyist.

Noem has served two terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives, where she is assistant majority leader. She knows people in the know from across South Dakota on both sides of the aisle.

I have heard Noem speak. She can talk and debate with the best. Make a point to meet her and to listen to her. You will be impressed.

Herseth Sandlin is an incumbent who claims to be a Blue Dog Democrat, but records show she, too, has been to the federal spending trough.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knows she can count on Herseth Sandlin, and records show that to be true 93 percent of the time.