Plainsman - "Senate candidate Dykstra"

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Plainsman - "Senate candidate Dykstra"

An energy package proposed by the so-called "Gang of 10," a bipartisan group in Congress, has some good provisions, but is also too much of a compromise, Republican Senate candidate Joel Dykstra said.

"I'm very disappointed with the rush to give away what I think are a couple of very important potential resources that we need to be utilizing," he said in an interview at the South Dakota State Fair.

Dykstra said the country must continue talking about oil production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. He also opposes giving away the first 50 miles of potential offshore drilling.

"I think that's arbitrary and it fails to appreciate the technology and the ability the oil industry has to develop it safely and the ability the regulators have to make sure it's done that way," he said. He said all other countries develop their offshore reserves before they go elsehwere to buy imported oil.

"Why can't America do that?" he said.

He said the Gang of 10 proposals, which could be considered when Congress returns from its August recess this week, are perhaps well meaning, but that "there's more to compromise than the neutralization of conflict."

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., is one of the original members of the Gang of 10. "Sen. Thune and I agree on most things, but not everything," Dykstra said. "I'm not afraid of being independent."

Meanwhile, he said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's selection as Sen. John McCain's running mate is great news.

"I thought it was a good demonstration of his commitment and his leadership ability," Dykstra said. "Certainly he's able to make a decision that really changes the whole playing field.

"I think he's shown that he's the one who is really about changing the way Washington does business as opposed to a selection like (Sen.) Joe Biden that is just more of the same," he said. In terms of experience, he continued, Palin has more than Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

"I think people with the right stuff are able to rise to the challenge," Dykstra said. "The ability to choose the right people is one of the biggest parts of the president's role and in her case it's something she's done anyway."

Dykstra said voters continue to talk about the fact that Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., has decided not to participate in any debates this year. Johnson has said his speech is not yet where he wants it to be and that South Dakotans know where he stands on issues.

"They're disappointed; they think there's something wrong about that," Dykstra said of the lack of debates.

"It's not an issue of embarrassing or trying to put Sen. Johnson in a bad place, but I think there are options and ways of alleviating those concerns and still give the voters a chance to see the candidates operate," he said.

Dykstra is planning a series of town hall meetings this fall.

"I'm confident that we will be able to overcome the part of the debate issue that we would have benefited from in terms of exposure," he said.

Johnson has also been telling voters he has not missed a vote since his return to the Senate from his brain injury, and that this past year has been his most successful ever.

But Dykstra said the issue is not about the last year or the last 20 years, but the next six and the next 50 that will unfold based on decisions made today.

"So what kind of America is this going to be?" he said.

South Dakotans are grateful for federal dollars coming back to the state to fund projects, but they are not convinced that would change based on the outcome of the election, he said.

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