GOP accuses Democrats of swapping chili for votes in SD

[Tony_FLADEM]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The South Dakota GOP accused Democrats on Thursday of trying to buy votes by serving food at a series of get-out-the-vote rallies, but event organizers insisted their chili was legit.

The allegations came on the heels of a Wednesday chili rally in Rapid City hosted by Sen. Tim Johnson and Matt Varilek, who's challenging Republican Rep. Kristi Noem for the state's lone U.S. House seat.

A series of high-profile investigations were launched two years ago after candidates from both sides were accused of trying to swap food or food coupons for votes.

State GOP Chairman Tony Post said in a news release that the recent rallies were "eerily similar" to the events that sparked the 2010 investigations. That year, Democratic volunteers offered people at some rallies rides to polling places so they could vote early. Republicans accused Democrats of violating state and federal laws by offering people food in exchange for their votes.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/5cfacf5459724793bdfd97af82c0e120/SD--Chili-Rally-Row

[msrizzo]

1. Better be damned good chili. nt

[SheilaT]

2. If I were in charge of a rally,

I'd bake my amazingly delicious chocolate chip cookies. Now THOSE little sweethearts could definitely buy votes. Especially still warm from the oven.

[Permanut]

3. Dang, I wish I'd held out for chili..

I already voted for the Prez here in Oregon by mail, and I didn't get chili, or a cookie, or a pony. Next time I'll know.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. Typical Sodaker Repuk

response. Sodak is a typical Right to Work for less state,run by a hand full of business people tied to big Oil and big Ag. So Dak has the lowest wage base of all the Midwest States. Tons of low info voters,huge poverty issues,lousy schools and speaking of their single Congress Person,another Teabilly elected by the NRA and big Ag with tons of Koch money. Sorry to say,we met this Congress Person this past summer,just another empty suit looking out for her family interests and no one else. Sound familiar!!

[existentialist]

5. The national media unanimously categorizes South Dakota at large as a safe Republican seat, but

the national media supplies no reasons to support their categorization, and

the local Republicans are taking the election too seriously for it not to be at issue.

They fight over early voting extent and sites on the reservations (which) are Reliably Democratic IF the Indians turn out to vote.

They raise fights of chili and what not.

And Kristi Noem is even advertising on the Democratic Underground site.

If it's not an at issue seat, then why would they perceive it as necessary or worth their while to do such things?