President, Vice President, Something Else, Nothing

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Daschle Re-Enters Political Arena

Wednesday September 21, 2005 8:01 PM

By MARY CLARE JALONICK

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle's interest in public office isn't necessarily latent: he has set up a new political action committee and plans a Jefferson-Jackson Day speech in the politically pivotal state of Iowa.

Daschle, who was considered a possible candidate for president in 2004, has quietly eschewed most publicity since his defeat to Republican John Thune last November. But Steve Hildebrand, director of the new committee and Daschle's former campaign manager, said the well-known Democrat from South Dakota ``is not going to rule out opportunities to play important roles in public service.''

``It could be president, it could be vice president, it could be something else,'' Hildebrand said. ``It could be nothing.''

He said Daschle's Iowa speech, scheduled for the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Nov. 5, will probably be his most political since last year's election.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5293402,00.html