Ex-S.D. Rep. Thune to Challenge Daschle

[papau]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-3589192,00.html

Ex-S.D. Rep. Thune to Challenge Daschle

Monday January 5, 2004 6:16 PM
By DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Rep. John Thune, R-S.D., intends to run against Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle this fall, GOP sources said Monday, giving Republicans the type of high-profile challenger they covet against one of President Bush's most persistent critics in Congress.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Thune intended to disclose his plans at a party dinner in Sioux Falls, S.D. ``He'll be announcing his intentions, which are to run,'' said one official.

Thune is expected to delay a formal announcement of his candidacy for a brief period, although he intends to begin raising campaign funds immediately, officials said.

The race would be his second bid for the Senate, following his narrow defeat in 2000 at the hands of Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson. Johnson prevailed by 524 votes after a multi-million-dollar battle marked by television attack ads.

[goobergunch]

1. *rather grumpy kick*

:kick:

[worldgonekrazy]

2. Thune will be easily dispatched

One, Daschle is a rather popular politician in South Dakota precisely because he is a moderate. The state does lean a bit more conservative than Daschle, but they are willing to compromise.

Second, and more important IMO, is that Daschle has a very influential position in the Senate that ensures that the concerns of South Dakotans will be heard. This is NOT true of Thune. I can see the Republicans trying to neutralize this by guaranteeing Thune a position of leadership, but I don't think they can or will offer anything close to Senate Minority Leader.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

3. Thune was holding out...

... for something. Why risk being a two times straight loser of elections? This was the talk in the local politics columns this past month, when such talk came up concerning Janklow's soon to be vacant seat in the House.

[Moderator]

4. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=297904