Posted on 02/21/2008 5:48:51 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
Former Republican Lt. Gov. Steve Kirby says he will decide within the next week whether to challenge South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson this November.
"I'm undecided but I am working feverishly on trying to come up with a decision in the next seven days," Kirby said Thursday.
South Dakota Republicans have been searching for GOP candidates to challenge Johnson this year. The Democrat's bid for a third term has attracted little attention as South Dakotans have focused on his recovery from a brain hemorrhage, and the election has been seen as Johnson's to lose.
Kirby is more well-known than other Republicans who already have announced, and he is a wealthy businessman who potentially could fund a Senate race. He says he is talking to people in South Dakota and in Washington, including some members of Congress and the White House, who are trying to recruit him.
(Excerpt) Read more at rapidcityjournal.com ...
If Kirby runs, he has an outside chance. I hope he does.
Kirby is best-known for having run for Governor in 2002.
I hope he runs. There is no excuse for not running someone against every Democrat.
Where were these “big” name candidates they were talking about ? Was it John Ensign who made the promise ?
Kirby and then-AG Mark Barnett, who were both considered the lead candidates to succeed Janklow in 2002, ended up in a brutal shooting match, and destroyed one another. Mike Rounds, who wasn’t even considered a first-tier candidate, was the beneficiary of angry primary voters who were disgusted at both men. I still have to wonder if Kirby (whom has never been elected independently) would be a very strong candidate, and the memories of that ugly primary (which saw him come in dead last) might still linger. He’s been out of office, IIRC, for nearly 14 years now.
He’s a very wealthy candidate, and that may be what Ensign was referring to when he said “big” candidate.
Wealthy is good, but it doesn’t necessarily get us the brass ring. Kirby is still a 2nd tier recruitment, unfortunately.
Its getting late for South Dakota, probably the best we can get at this point, I’ll take anything over what we got now.
Mike Rounds needs to run. He’s the only one who could win.
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