Broadcaster Press 11 October 21, 2014 www.broadcasteronline.com Is Rounds destined to be the ‘accidental senator’? By Bob Mercer Former Gov. Mike Rounds was on the ropes. Then a bunch of national Democrats came pounding into South Dakota this past week. They promised to spend $2 million against him in these last four weeks before the Nov. 4 election. Mike, if you’re reading this, remember your manners. Send a thank you. They probably saved your candidacy — and they probably helped deliver the Republicans‚ dream of winning every statewide elected office in South Dakota. Rounds is the Republican Party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate seat that Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson is giving up. A variety of publicopinion surveys in recent months consistently showed Rounds leading the four-candidate field to replace Johnson. The surveys also showed Larry Pressler gaining ground. Pressler is running as an independent. He was a Republican when he served three terms in the U.S. Senate. Johnson beat Pressler in 1996. Meanwhile this year’s Democratic candidate, Rick Weiland, and the other independent candidate, former Republican legislator Gordon Howie, seem stuck. Pressler had several points in his favor. He deliberately sought middle ground. He promised to serve one term. And the fastest growing bloc of registered voters in South Dakota was the independent column. When the latest round of Survey South Dakota polling came out last week, Rounds still led. But Pressler was within the margin of statistical error: Rounds 35 percent, Pressler 32, Weiland 28 and Howie 3. The polling results happened to coincide with an announcement from a big political action committee that it would spend $1 million against Rounds on Weiland’s behalf. The next day, the national Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee declared it would send $1 million into South Dakota to help Weiland. And guess what? Pressler immediately became the target of attacks from Republican and Democratic operatives alike. The Democrats‚ best hope of stopping Rounds was Pressler, not Weiland. South Dakota is part of a national battle for majority control of the U.S. Senate. Democrats have it. Republicans want it. Mike Rounds would never caucus with the Democrats. Rick Weiland would never caucus with the Republicans. But Larry Pressler might caucus with either side if he won. That is a good part of Pressler’s appeal for many voters in South Dakota this fall. Being a swingman could put Pressler in position to wrangle important gains for South Dakota. But in attacking Pressler, in the strange hope that Weiland could overtake Rounds, the national Democratic forces might have guaranteed a Rounds victory. This isn’t the first time that Rounds has found gold. In 2002, when he was running for the Republican nomination for governor, his two better-known rivals spent too much time and money attacking each other. The insurance man with the black tee shirt and the wholesome family and the winning smile raced right past Mark Barnett and Steve Kirby for the victory. Now it seems, here we go again. Many called him the accidental governor. This time he would be the accidental senator. 1815 Miscellaneous 1815 DISH NETWORK - $19 Special, includes FREE Premium Movie Channels (HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz) and Blockbuster at home for 3 months. Free installation and equipment. Call NOW! 1-866-820-4030 (MCN) DISH TV RESELLER - SAVE! Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months). FREE Premium Movie Channels. FREE Equipment, Installation & Activation. CALL, COMPARE LOCAL DEALS! 1-800-390-3140 (MCN) FREE $50 WAL-MART GIFT CARD & 3 FREE issues of Your Favorite Magazines! Call 866-932-0426 (MCN) Get Lightning Fast High Speed Internet. AT&T U-Verse® Plans starting at $14.95/mo! BUNDLE & save more with AT&T Internet+Phone+TV. CALL NOW. Offers End Soon! 855-980-5126. nani HERO MILES - To Find Out More About How You Can Help Our Service Members, Veterans and Their Families in Their Time of Need, Visit the Fisher House Website at www.fisherhouse.org (MCN) OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR InogenOne - Regain Independence & Enjoy Greater Mobility. 100% Portable! Long-Lasting Battery. Try it Risk Free Call 800-619-5300 ***For Cash Purchase Only*** (MCN) REDUCE YOUR CABLE BILL!* Get a whole-home Satellite system installed at NO COST and programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HD/DVR Upgrade to new callers, SO CALL NOW 1-800-830-7187. (MCN) REDUCE YOUR PAST TAX BILL by as much as 75 Percent. Stop Levies, Liens and Wage Garnishments. Call the Tax DR Now to see if you Qualify 1-800-721-2793 (MCN) Please Recycle! KNUTSON FAMILY DENTISTRY Dr. Richard Knutson Dr. Matthew Knutson Dental Excellence for Children & Adults Cosmetic • Implants General Practice •Single Visit Crowns Braces For Adults & Children •Invisalign HOURS: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30 1714 East Cherry Street, Vermillion 605.624.6291 Miscellaneous 1830 SAFE STEP WALK-IN TUB: Alert for Seniors: Bathroom falls can be fatal. Approved by Arthritis Foundation. Therapeutic Jets. Less than 4” Step-In. Wide Door. Anti-Slip Floors. American Made. Installation Included. Call 888-744-2329 for $750 Off (MCN) Rummage Sales 1870 905 Crestview Drive (Vermillion) Saturday, 10/25, 9am-5pm Sunday, 10/26, 9am-5pm Don?t miss this one. Something for everyone!! Too much to mention. Come and See!! 1840 Lost and Found STEEL BUILDINGS - Must Go 1-70'X150', 1-80'X125', 1-91'x211' May Split. Call 1-800-411-5866 Today & Save Thousands!!! (MCN) Lost over D-Days weekend a women's turquoise colored bike with a broken cup holder. Have you seen it? (605)547-1054. SUPPORT our service members, veterans and their families in their time of need. For more information visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org Quality grain augers, galvanized tube, Emron paint, 1 1/4” thick flighting, and hydraulic raise, 402-649-6711. nani 1830 Rummage Sales 606 S. Norbeck (Vermillion) Saturday, 10/25, 9am-3pm Table saw, welder, miscellaneous household items. Please Recycle 1850 Agriculture Ag Equipment For Sale: Buffalo- Henke 440 feed mixer wagon, apron discharge, scale always shedded, excellent condition, 402-340-3453. 1875 Livestock - Poultry Two miniature mare horses, free to good home. (605)366-6247. 2000 Notices Is food a problem for you? Does weight affect the way you live? Overeaters Anonymous meeting in Vermillion, Saturdays at 9:00am. Newman Center, 320 E. Cherry St., (across from the MUC) Pillow Cleaning Have You Ever Had Your Pillows Cleaned? October 25th, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. New Location! Concordia Lutheran Church 7 S. University, Vermillion Make your pillows look like new. All types of bed pillows can be cleaned. Contents removed from old pillows, cleaned, sanitized, deoderized and re?uffed with choice of new ticking (new outside material). For more information call 712-378-2918. New Feather and Down Pillows Available. e Ladies Aid CITY MEETING The City of Vermillion will be holding a public meeting at City Hall (25 Center Street) on October 29, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss several proposed alternatives for improvements at the intersection between Main Street and Center/Court Streets. During the meeting the City will present the alternatives and then have time for public input. Contact the City at 677-7050 with any questions regarding the meeting. Teen Gazette meeting next Wednesday evening A few weeks ago The Plain Talk announced the intention to start a Teen Gazette internal newspaper within it’s pages. That plan is still in the works. We have received a small number of inquiries and have heard of students in multiple schools that would potentially be interested in helping kick this project off. So, this upcoming Wednesday at 6 p.m., The Plain Talk will hold a short, informal meeting with parents and their prospective future journalists at The Plain Talk located at 201 West Cherry Street. The project’s purpose and plan will be talked about and we will see which skill sets match those students involved. If one can not make the meeting we encourage you to call 605-624-4429 or email alan.dale@plaintalk.net. Students currently in 10th-12th grades are encouraged to get involved.