Linda Daschle has endorsed Dick Gephardt

[goobergunch]

http://www.rollcall.com/pub/49_30/hoh/2997-1.html

Anyone here have a Roll Call subscription?

[UnapologeticLiberal]

1. My school does

Am I allowed to post the entire article, since the only way to read Roll Call online is to pay $200/year for a subscription?

In any case, here is the excerpt about Linda Daschle endorsing Gephardt:

Daschle Endorses Gephardt? While Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has thus far remained neutral in the presidential race, Linda Daschle confirmed that she has decided to back Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.).

The Senator's wife, a prominent lobbyist at Baker Donelson, has contributed $1,000 to Gephardt's White House bid. While some people on K Street sprinkle money to various candidates and keep their options open, Linda Daschle told HOH that she's endorsing Gephardt - even though she has friendships with many of the candidates. "Iwish them all the very best," she said. "I just happen to think Dick Gephardt has what it takes to win and succeed in the White House."

She wrote a check for $500 to Gephardt in March and then doled out another $500 in June, according to Federal Election Commission records.

"Number one, there's an existing friendship that goes back well over a decade," Daschle said. "Two, because of that friendship I feel like Ireally know Congressman Gephardt and his wife, Jane, and I think they would be great in the White House."

She downplayed any suggestion that she may convince her husband to endorse Gephardt as well. The Senator backed Gephardt's first presidential campaign in 1988 but has said he may not issue an endorsement to anyone this time because he is now serving as leader.

And it's worth noting that at least one member of the Daschle family is rooting for the presidential campaign of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. FEC records show that Jill Daschle, the Senator's daughter-in-law, recently contributed $500 to Dean for America.

When asked whether there will be a "healthy debate" in the family about the race, Linda Daschle said, "I'm sure there will be. We just like to be good Democrats, as you can tell."

Make this a September to Remember