Posted on 04/06/2009 7:04:19 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Each of these choices comes with consequences that affect both Herseth Sandlin’s fellow Democrats and Republicans in the mix.
n A run for re-election to a fourth U.S. House term — This is the safest option for Herseth Sandlin, which makes it as likely as any bolder move. Politicians tend to be risk-averse, and Herseth Sandlin is more so than most.
If she runs, then all other comers are almost certainly shut out. Barring a huge scandal, a Herseth Sandlin race in 2010 will look a lot like her 2008 race when the she won with 67 percent of the vote.
If she opts for another office, then there’s an open House seat. Every ambitious politician in the state will be licking their chops and we’d almost certainly see primaries in both parties. (I would predict a general election contest between Democrat Brendan Johnson and Republican Dusty Johnson should this seat open up. Johnson vs. Johnson.)
Herseth Sandlin recently sent out a fundraising e-mail asking donors to show their “early support” for her re-election. Some might see this as a sign she’ll play it safe. I see it as her keeping her options open.
n A run for governor — The congresswoman has not been shy in admitting that she’s considering running for the office once held by her grandfather, Ralph Herseth, and narrowly lost by her father, Lars Herseth. If the family connection isn’t enough, a victory in this race would wrest the state’s executive office from three decades of GOP rule and give her plenty of time to still serve in the U.S. Senate.
Herseth Sandlin would most likely face Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who has been raising money for years already and would otherwise be a safe bet as South Dakota’s next governor.
(Excerpt) Read more at mitchellrepublic.com ...
Of the three options, a run against John Thune is the least likely choice for Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. Too risky. I think she wants to run for Governor, but is being pressured by Nancy Pelosi and others to stay in the House, at least for the time being.
Daschle wouldn’t consider running again? He lost by a narrow margin in a year that was great for the GOP.
I don’t think Daschle would run again. He’s getting up there in years and his withdraw from the HHS post damaged his standing. Anyway, I think his party wants someone younger.
We have to reject status quo thinking like that. Did she vote for the Obama budget? YES. Opportunity knocks.
Would Daugaard beat her for the governorship (assuming it’s an anti-Obama year)?
Daschole is a joke.
IMHO, it would be close to 50/50. I would rate Daugaard a slight favorite in that senario.
If she runs for gov that may be the best thing then. You can be sure that as 2010 gets closer the election will be less favorable to dems. In that way, we get her seat and also boot her from winning higher office.
Now is her chance at Governor (the longest held GOP seat 1979-), if she doesn’t run this time there will be an incumbent Republican in 2014.
Thune leads her comfortably in the polls. I doubt she’ll run for the Senate.
Uh, the author is on the pipe or has a dry sense of humor.
Was the article written last year ? One reason to stop Herseth-Sandlin from being Governor is when Tim Johnson dies in office, we’re going to need a Republican to appoint his successor. She’d probably have herself appointed to the vacancy.
In addition to current senator Tim Johnson.
South Dakota, the Blazing Saddles state.
Nope it was written this past Saturday.
“when Tim Johnson dies in office”
Good point. He and Ted are on borrowed time.
Hopefully Daugaard would beat her.
I feel she may chicken out and run for the house again while waiting for Johnson’s seat to open up. I figure she’d rather be a Senator than a small state Governor.
Daily Kos is deeply saddened with Thune’s high approvals. The moonbats were hoping SD would be in an anti-Bush mood after Rummy closed down a military base in SD. They thought Thune would be vulnerable to an anti-Bush wave.
If SD’s House seat opens, Gov Mike Rounds should run for that seat.
“They thought Thune would be vulnerable to an anti-Bush wave.”
In 2010 with a new President?
THe Dems are hoping to exploit anti-Bush sentiment for as long as possible. Notice the Messiah keeps saying he inherited problems. I think this plan won’t last past Labor Day. Notice that the MSM is suddenly reporting good economic news. That would mean the Messiah officially owns the economy. There could be some small upward trend in the market. But in a few years, I expect the market to crash again once the Messiah’s policies are fully enacted.
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