[JohnnyZ]

Thune is probably more popular in the state because Janklow is a very blunt guy and ticked off some folks as governor -- of course, he still ended up winning Rep. 53-46. I'm thinking Janklow will prevail, and would be a stronger candidate against Daschle at least -- he's very strong-willed. As the Argus Leader guy says, the D's don't have much to go with, unless they try Stephanie Herseth for Senate, but there's no reason to think SoDak would give her the nod either. Thune might be best off going back to Rep or taking an Admin job until Johnson's seat comes up again -- presumably Johnson will be an insignificant minority senator at that point, without Daschle to hold his hand and spoon-feed him legislation.

The Dakotas are a Big Deal this year, as Byron Dorgan and Earl Pomeroy are up in NoDak. This is the best year to finally take down what they call all-Democratic "Team North Dakota" and then smack down Kent Conrad in 2006.

[republicanwizard]

Thanks. However, if Daschle doesn't run, then I want Thune to be our candidate.

If Daschle runs again, then we need someone with enough heft to beat him, and that means Janklow. No question.

I agree with you about North Dakota. We need to take out Pomeroy and Conrad. As long as the Dakotas send 4 Democrats to the Senate, we cannot have a solid majority. Get rid of those 4, and we have a majority for a generation.