South Dakota Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin was elected Monday as one of three leaders of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of more than 50 U.S. House Democrats with a fiscally conservative, bipartisan approach to governing.

Herseth Sandlin said her election as co-chairwoman for administration gives her additional standing in a group of lawmakers that could be especially important in the coming administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama has promised to end the old ways of operation in Washington and seek compromise instead of stalemate. That is work the Blue Dog Coalition already pursues, Herseth Sandlin said. The group, formed in 1995, is committed to "governing from the center," a concept that South Dakotans embrace, she said.

"I think this will be of tremendous value to South Dakotans for me to be in this role," Herseth Sandlin said.

The Blue Dog Coalition's focus on fiscal responsibility and "living within our means" is crucial to dealing with record federal deficits, she said.

"We can't simply keep passing on mountains of debt to the next generation," she said.

The group also promotes policy proposals that represent the generally rural districts similar to South Dakota that a majority of its members represent. Among immediate goals the group has is to work toward a balanced budget, although Herseth Sandlin acknowledged that will be difficult anytime soon.

Herseth Sandlin will share the Blue Dog Coalition leadership with Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana and Rep. Charlie Melancon of Louisiana.

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com