Will Michael Bennet Be As Bad At The DSCC As Steve Israel Has Been At The DCCC? Take South Dakota...

US Attorney Brendan Johnson-- Michael Bennet forced him out of the race

Anna Madsen is a progressive theologian from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She's also a trusted Daily Kos blogger who understands the difference between a real Democrat and a side of bacon. In March we talked about why reactionary Blue Dog Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, would be a disaster for the Democrats if she runs for the South Dakota Senate Seat Tim Johnson is giving up next year-- a disaster whether she wins or, more likely, loses. This week, Anna explained it from the perspective of a Democrat living in South Dakota-- and I highly recommend that you read her entire post, since these excerpts strip out the poetry.

I know that South Dakota is predominantly Republican.

I know that often, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted Democratic.

But I also know that on the big issues, on issues central to the Democratic party, on the no-thank-you-we-don’t-eat-that issues, she voted with the Republicans.

  South Dakota Democrats, please do not forget:

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in 2004, a position which was discriminatory then and, by looking at national trends, is considered regressive now.

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted against the Affordable Care Act of 2009, a bill overwhelmingly supported by the Democrats, rallied for by President Obama, and which protects the most vulnerable of our society (and, keep in mind, any one of us can become vulnerable in this way at any sudden moment). All the while, she had health insurance paid for by the very ones who could not afford it for themselves, and against whom she was voting.

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (was the sole Democrat who) voted nay in 2009 to a bill that protected consumers from credit card companies’ abusive and regressive policies against which customers had no recourse.

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted against extending unemployment benefits for those deeply hurting in the economy of 2010.

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin voted against the Energy bill of 2010, which would have allowed for higher safety standards for off-shore drilling, removed a liability cap for oil companies, and boosted solar and wind power on federal land (to name a few benefits of the bill).

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin signed a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2010 insisting that Bush’s tax breaks for the wealthy be extended.

But reports from Inside the Beltway are that conservative corporate whore Michael Bennet, who has taken over the DSCC chair from the startlingly successful Patty Murray and is likely to fail as gigantically as she succeeded, is adamant that the DSCC get behind Herseth Sandlin, a kindred spirit, while many DSCC staffers are expressing a preference for Johnson's son, Brendan, South Dakota's U.S. Attorney. Brendan Johnson is a regular, normal Democrat, not a Republican calling himself one like Herseth Sandlin. Did I mention she' was one of the most lock-step NRA shills in Congress?

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) is already working behind the scenes to brush aside Brendan Johnson, son of Senator Tim Johnson, in favor of former U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin... Herseth Sandlin is probably more conservative than half the Republicans currently in the U.S. Senate... The Republican Party of South Dakota might actually have a hard time finding a more philosophically solid conservative candidate.

Because of his job as U.S. Attorney, the younger Johnson can't discuss politics. Ryan Casey, chairman of the Lincoln County Democratic Party, is spearheading a Draft Brendan Johnson drive. Six other county Democratic party chairmen have signed onto the effort, remembering all too well what a disaster Herseth Sandlin was for South Dakota working families. Early today Rick Weiland, a former Tom Daschle aide, semi-officially threw his hat into the ring, amid reports that Brendan Johnson isn't going to do it.

“Brendan and I have had some pretty serious conversations about this,” Weiland said. “He’s focused on his job. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel that Brendan (wasn’t) going to get into this race.”

Meanwhile Ryan Casey, who led the “Draft Brendan Johnson” movement, related a similar conversation he had with Johnson on Tuesday.

“He informed me that he was going to continue to focus on his responsibilities as U.S. Attorney,” Casey said. “I’m pretty certain at this point that Brendan won’t enter the race for U.S. Senate.”

Casey said he’s now supporting Weiland, and sent an email to “Draft Brendan” backers urging them to do the same.