Obviously, the shifting nature of the South Dakota House race has been something of a bad hop for Stephanie Herseth's campaign. It's clear that they didn't anticipate the accelerated nature of the race, which will apparently be settled in a
special election on June 1, if not before (state law stipulates it must be held within three months of Janklow's resignation).
So it's understandable that her campaign website isn't set up to receive contributions through a secure on-line form yet. Still, it's vital that they make a secure webform available before the end of the 2003 calendar year. I suggest that as many of us as possible shoot a polite and supportive e-mail to the campaign at webmaster@hersethforcongress.org reminding them that this is important and that we're standing by to shell out some bucks for this rising star. Be sure to mention the unbelievable success that Rep. Leonard Boswell recently enjoyed --$52,000 in one day according to MSNBC-- in on-line fundraising with the help of the Dean campaign, and that this was made possible only because his campaign provided a secure on-line form. It's also worth mentioning that the SD House race will be the only election nationally whichever day it's held, and so it's bound to take on a national character, and attract national donors.
Indeed, the next target Howard Dean's campaign should have for their Boswell treatment should be Herseth. This race will be an important test of national Democratic strength before the election. Moreover, if Herseth can be elected with the active support of Howard Dean, it will help dispel the notion that he doesn't play well in rural red states. Indeed, there's no reason Dean wouldn't play well in South Dakota, a state with many similarities to Vermont. I expect Dean will be very active here, but it can't hurt to gently nudge Dean in that direction either. (Yes, I'm assuming he'll be the nominee...)
And, because Herseth's sensible plans for Medicare and revitalizing the rural heartland are matched by her radiant beauty, here she is:
Stephanie's going to be hauling dynamite, she's going to need all the help she can get.