South Dakota windfall could boost Daschle

[Bandit]

http://www.thehill.com/news/102004/daschle.aspx

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota voters preoccupied with the question “What have you done for me lately?” were given a lot to think about in Congress this fall.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, engaged in the fight of his political life, managed to shower a remarkable amount of federal largesse on his home state over a period of a few weeks before Congress left town — from drought relief to ethanol tax credits and programs that could boost a local Air Force base. Now, as the Democrat’s reelection campaign against former Rep. John Thune (R-S.D.) enters its final, hurried stage, Daschle has the luxury of claiming credit for the projects around the state.
<snip>
“President Bush came to South Dakota with John Thune and me, on top of Mount Rushmore, and said, ‘No drought aid for you guys,’” Johnson recently told The Hill.

Johnson won by only 524 votes. Failing to secure the aid undercut part of Thune’s central message: He could better deliver for the state by working with the
Republicans in Congress and the White House.

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, called Bush’s failure to deliver a drought-relief package to the state the “single greatest political blunder by the White House in the entire 2002 election season.” He told Sioux Falls Argus Leader political columnist David Kranz, “That one goof quite literally cost the Republicans a critical Senate seat.”
<snip>
Daschle aides claim that their boss outmaneuvered the Republicans and got the issue through. Wadhams said Daschle “finagled” his way into co-sponsoring it and “ran to the front of the line.” All those projects could end up making a difference in South Dakota, a state with only 750,000 people. But the race is still a toss-up.

“Daschle is by far the most influential senator South Dakota has ever had,” Johnson said. “Without Senator Daschle chosen as leader in the Senate, we go back to the same of other small states.”

[UrbScotty]

1. AS much as I'm not a fan of Daschle...

I cannot overestimate the importance of him winning a fourth term.

The defeat of the Senate Democratic leader would be the biggest election-night news story besides who won the Presidency.

[Bandit]

2. I agree...it would rank right up there with the Defeat of Delay

I have been dissappointed with Daschle of late but he is still a True Blue Democrat. I expect Daschle to win and Delay to lose. call me nuts but.....