“I suspect some of the South Dakotans are facing really uncomfortable cuts right now, and there’s going to be some grief over that,” said Blanchard. “I doubt, however, that this is going to express itself in any serious political backlash. Right now, the Democratic Party is so small in the state, I just don’t see how it can mount much of a counterattack.”

Despite their reduced numbers — only 24 seats out of 105 in the Legislature — Democrats have been trying to put themselves in a good position for 2012, targeting education and health care cuts.

Voters may need that reminder. By the time Election Day rolls around, it will have been a year and a half since the Legislature approved $127 million in cuts, and there will have been another legislative session.

Still, criticism of budget cuts could be a winning message for Democrats in some districts.

After the Democrats’ electoral disaster in 2010, many Republican lawmakers are from districts that have historically been receptive to Democratic messages.

Democrats hope voters, who elected a Republican in 2010 after years of voting for Democrats, might have buyer’s remorse.