Ex-Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) heads to IA today to endorse Chet Culver

[Debi]

What do you all think of that? Good for Culver? Good for Daschle (08)?

Wonder how Vilsack feels....:shrug:




(From NJ Hotline Wake Up Call)

[pstans]

1. Here is the info on Daschle's speeh

Tom Daschle - Setting America on a New Course
Wednesday, 1 February (8:00 PM) Memorial Union
http://www.lectures.iastate.edu/browse.php

I think it is good for Culver to have a big-name Democrat backing him. It will only be good for Daschle if Culver wins because it basically turns the governor of Iowa into a supporter if Deschle would decide to run in 08.

As far as endorsements go, I don't put much wait into them. Look at where Dean's endorsements got him. The endorsement that probably helps the most is newspapers because people trust them everyday for their news.

[Debi]

2. I agree with you about big name endorsements

They only help if the big name is then going to go out and raise money or sway voters. Just lending a name doesn't do anything, really.

Still happy to see Chet doing well :bounce:

[tom2]

3. At tonight's speech?

Do you suppose Daschle will make the announcement at the ISU lecture? I might stop by to see.

Culver seems to be getting some support from senators and former-senators that were friends of his dad, but I don't see where that is worth that much here in Iowa.

[Debi]

4. Unless they are willing to come back to Iowa to do Fund Raisers

and GOTV work for Culver, I'll agree. Now, if they do raise money for him and do hold rallies to gear up the Get Out the Vote drive for him it could very well help him.

Let's remember that Culver's dad left the Senate twenty-five years ago, Chet was about 15 at the time. Could it possibly be that HE has developed a relationship with these people in the six years he's been Iowa's Secretary of State? :shrug:

[tom2]

5. As Secretary of State?

I suspect there is a Senate brotherhood club at work here, or at least Kennedy's support is via Culver's dad. Kennedy and others could help Culver this summer and fall, and I hope they do, assuming Culver gets the nomination.

But I wonder what Daschle is up to? He has been visiting Iowa lately, and I wonder if he is thinking about a presidential or VP bid? An early backing of a likely winner in the governor's race might pay off for Daschle in 2007/2008.

[Debi]

9. Oh, yeah, he's running

But I won't complain as long as it helps Culver.

[progressoid]

6. It may help a little, but not a lot.

I often wonder how much endorsements help and/or hinder a candidate. For those that vote the way the wind is blowing (the ones that just see a popularity contest), I suppose it helps.

May also help in getting larger donation$.

[tom2]

7. Not tonight

I was at the Daschle lecture tonight, and there was no mention of the governor's race. It really would not have been the appropriate forum anyway as he was an invited guest in a lecture series at the university.

Daschle did a nice job, especially in the question and answer session. My favorite part was when he was asked about the domestic wiretapping. Although he could not discuss what they are doing, he did say that the White House asked permition to do that very type of domestic spying when they asked for war authorization to invade Afghanistan after 911, and the White House was told clearly "NO" by Congress. So they knew perfectlly well that it was illegal, according to Daschle.

Now, if mild-mannered Daschle can say what the president is doing is illegal, why does our governor feel compelled to say that it probably is legal? Sorry, I guess that is relevant to another thread.

By the way, Daschle is really a charming, mild manner guy. Go meet him if you get a chance. My guess he is that he will be poking around Iowa quite a bit.

[pstans]

8. Thanks for the report Tom

[Debi]

10. Here's the endorsement - DMR

Daschle also weighed in on the Iowa governor's race by endorsing Democrat Chet Culver.

Daschle's backing isn't expected to translate into votes in the June primary, but could be an added boost for Culver's fundraising, tops in his party's field last year.

"I'm not here to tell any one Iowan how to vote. I wouldn't do that," Daschle said during a visit to Culver's campaign headquarters.

<snii\p>

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060202/NEWS09/602020374/1056

[Broke Dad]

11. Daschle is running for President

I was at Daschle's speech and it was pure presidential politics. He did everything but say, "For that reason (oil, deficit, etc.) I am announcing my candidacy for President of the United States tonight."

Daschle is a smart guy. I just wish he would have offered solutions to the problems that he highlighted (and we all know about) in his speech. I am afraid that he is too much of an insider to clean house in DC. The man can raise money though . . . so campaign finance reform is a footnote to him . . . his only reference to it was in response to a question about healthcare reform.

Too bad none Iowa's Democratic leaders were at the speech, including Culver. . . Ames is just up the road from Des Moines.

[Hardrada]

12. Boy, this sounds like a real winner!