From the Argus Leader this morning... 

Formal Obama group blooms

Supporters expect senator to win S.D.

Jonathan Ellis
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Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid has a ground game in South Dakota following the creation of a statewide committee.

The Obama campaign is the first to establish a formal committee in the state, and it's a sign that South Dakota's June 3 primary might have some significance as the Illinois senator battles for the Democratic nomination against New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

South Dakota has 23 delegates, including seven superdelegates, who will participate in the August national convention.

The Obama South Dakota Statewide Leadership Committee has 150 South Dakotans signed up - among them some of the most prominent members of the state's Democratic Party. The honorary co-chairs of the group are Sen. Tim Johnson, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and former Sen. Tom Daschle, who was an early supporter of Obama's and is a national co-chairman.

Sioux Falls businessman Lon Stroschein said at a news conference Monday the group plans to double and triple its numbers in the next few weeks. Obama, he said, "represents an opportunity to turn a page on American history."

Obama holds a 135-delegate advantage over Clinton, but Clinton, according to polls, has an advantage in the April 22 Pennsylvania primary. That state has 158 delegates.

It isn't known what steps the Clinton campaign is taking to organize South Dakota. The national campaign's Web site contains no contact information for South Dakota. A national spokesman for Clinton did not respond to a request for comment.

You can read the enitre story at the Argus Leader online.

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Just 8 short months after nearly dying from an arteriovenous malformation, South Dakota’s senior Senator is back to work at the office.  Of course, he has been working form home since April.  Still, it is really great to see him at the office once more.   Thank God for this miracle!

 Johnson, back at work, says 'We're ready'

Faith Bremner

Argus Leader

Published: September 5, 2007

WASHINGTON - South Dakota Sen. Tiim Johnson told reporters Wednesday that if felt good to be back at work.

 "We're ready," he said during a briefing for South Dakota reporters in his office.

The Democratic senator had been working from home since his discharge in April from the National Rehabilitation Hospital, where he had been undergoing therapy to recover from a major brain hemorrhage he suffered on Dec. 13.

Johnson plans to attend Senate Democrats' weekly caucus luncheon and make a short speech Wednesday.

 At about 2:15 p.m., he expects to make a speech from the Senate floor, thanking his colleagues for their prayers and best wishes.

 http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/NEWS/70905043

 This is a really great day!

 Tim’s return to the Senate will undoubtedly reinvigorate those that hope to take the Senate for themselves.  Even before his return, ideologues on the right were making it known Tim was a target and that nothing would stop them from making harsh negative attacks.  So give Tim a big welcome back to work and make a donation to his reelection campaign.  http://welcomebacktim.com/

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Thought I would pass this along...hope to see you there. 

US Senator Tim Johnson and his wife Barbara Johnson Invite you to come see Tim at his Welcome Home Celebration An event to thank all South Dakotans for their support, thoughts, and prayers! Tuesday, August 28 Doors Open at 4pm Program Begins at approximately 4:30pm Sioux Falls Convention Center 1211 N. West Avenue Please RSVP Online, or call (605) 339-9700 if you have any questions.

Paid for by Tim Johnson for South Dakota

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I am not sure what the Family Policy Council has to say about this one, but I imagine hey would blame this on porn too. 

State Rep. Allen explains sex case: Fear made me play along

Laurin Sellers | Sentinel Staff Writer

August 3, 2007

TITUSVILLE - State Rep. Bob Allen told police he was just playing along when a undercover officer suggested in a public restroom that the legislator give him oral sex and $20 because he was intimidated, according to a taped statement and other documents released Thursday.

Allen has already denied any wrongdoing, but the recordings and documents offered new details about what he and police say happened on July 11 inside the men's room at Veterans Memorial Park.

"I certainly wasn't there to have sex with anybody and certainly wasn't there to exchange money for it," said Allen, R-Merritt Island, who was arrested on charges of soliciting prostitution.

 

This was a pretty stocky black guy, and there was nothing but other black guys around in the park," Allen, who is white, told police in a taped statement after his arrest. Allen said he feared he "was about to be a statistic" and would have said anything just to get away.

Allen, who couldn't be reached for comment Thursday, has repeatedly declared his innocence, his intention to fight the charges and his desire to stay in office.

Three undercover officers said they were staking out a nearby condo hoping to catch a burglar when Allen entered a park bathroom at about 3:30 p.m.

The officers, who didn't recognize the seven-year legislator, said they thought he was behaving suspiciously and thought that he was looking for a sexual partner, according to the reports released by the Brevard-Seminole State Attorney's Office.

In a written statement released Thursday, Titusville Officer Danny Kavanaugh recalled entering the restroom twice and said he was drying his hands in a stall when Allen peered over the stall door.

After peering over the stall a second time, Allen pushed open the door and joined Kavanaugh inside, the officer wrote. Allen muttered " 'hi,' " and then said, " 'this is kind of a public place, isn't it,' " the report said.

The officer said he asked Allen about going somewhere else and that the legislator suggested going "across the bridge, it's quieter over there."

"Well look, man, I'm trying to make some money; you think you can hook me up with 20 bucks?" Kavanaugh asked Allen.

The officer said Allen responded, "Sure, I can do that, but this place is too public."

Then Kavanaugh said he told Allen, "I wanna know what I gotta do for 20 bucks before we leave.' " He said Allen replied: "I don't know what you're into."

According to Kavanaugh's statement, the officer said, "do you want just [oral sex]?" and Allen replied, "I was thinking you would want one."

The officer said he then asked Allen, "but you'll still give me the 20 bucks for that . . . and that the legislator said, "yeah, I wouldn't argue with that."

As Allen turned and motioned for the officer to follow him to his car, Kavanaugh identified himself as a police officer by raising his shirt and exposing his badge.

When Allen was being placed in a marked patrol car, he asked whether "it would help" if he was a state legislator, according to a police report. The officer replied, "No."

Laurin Sellers can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 321-795-3251.