Thune says decision on political future still weeks away

Aberdeen News ^ | 11/2/2003 | AP

[JohnnyZ]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Former Republican Rep. John Thune says he hasn't felt rattled by Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle's television advertising, fund-raising and other activities ahead of the November 2004 election.

Thune said some Republicans are turning up the heat on his timetable for deciding whether to challenge Daschle for his Senate seat.

"I know there is anxiety in party leadership here and Washington, but get outside political insiders and there isn't any appetite for an early campaign," said Thune.

"I don't know if there is anything to be gained from that early activity. They say he is getting that big head start. He is already known, and I am already known. I don't feel the pressure personally."

Thune, who was a three-term congressman, largely has stayed out of the public spotlight since his 2002 loss to Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson. Daschle, who is seeking re-election, has run ads for months and money has been pouring into his re-election campaign.

Thune said he plans to decide in December or January. Although he misses legislating, Thune said he also enjoys consulting and lobbying for clients that include Sioux Valley Hospital and Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad. He also works with a Washington, D.C., law firm.

"I enjoy the flexibility and being able to spend time with the family, going to the girls' games," he said.

Thune said a bid for Senate is not his only option.

"There is the Senate, and we don't know what the status of the House seat is until U.S. Rep.Janklow decides. Not running for an office is an option for me as well," he said.

Janklow's political future is up in the air following a second-degree manslaughter charge filed against him for an Aug. 16 traffic crash that killed a Minnesota motorcyclist.

Last week, Stephanie Herseth, the South Dakota Democratic Party's U.S. House candidate in 2002, said she intends to seek the office again.

Some Republicans have said that defeating Daschle won't be easy so Thune should run for the House and "save the Republican Party" from losing all three congressional seats.

"That's a bit melodramatic," said Thune.

Randy Frederick, state Republican Party chairman, thinks the fact that Thune will wait so long to make a decision might indicate he is running for the Senate since it would be tough for the GOP to get a candidate at that point.

"I don't look at it that way," Thune said. "We have a lot of talented Republicans who can run."

Daschle is a powerful incumbent, but Thune cites another factor for voters.

"This is a Republican state and a fairly conservative state. It is important, given the climate in Washington, that there be a Republican representing us."

President Bush talked Thune into running in 2002, and the White House has said it would support another bid.

The president's popularity has dipped because of the economy and the war in Iraq, but Thune doesn't see that as a liability for him if he runs.

"He has a connection to his party's base like his father did. People in the Republican Party love him, and you have to start there," Thune said.

Thune said he appreciates his role as a consultant.

"Now I have time to spend in Washington, but can pick and choose where I go," he says. "You get a chance to see things from outside of the bubble. It's a great perspective to have. There is a sense of normalcy that comes with being outside of that. It is no substitute for being a part of it. I would much rather be in office and serve in the Senate."

[JohnnyZ]

I think Thune's right on this one. No need to jump in early; that'll just leave him open to more attacks. This way he can keep his image cleaner and out of the political fray for longer.

He'll raise $3 million-ish in the first week he's a candidate.

[Theodore R.]

Still, it is hard for me to imagine the Dakotas again voting Republican for House or Senate. Of course, they will vote for Bush again, but they won't give him any help in Congress, in my opinion.

[Holden Magroin]

The alternative to Thune is Herseth, a liberal rich kid who has never had a job and has gotten as far as she has because her granddaddy was governor.

[Theodore R.]

I would imagine that SD voters will be glad to elect Herseth to teach Jankow "a lesson." They don't know where Herseth stands on issues: they choose on the basis of personality.

[Theodore R.]

Janklow, of course, not "Jankow."

[JohnnyZ]

They don't know where Herseth stands on issues: they choose on the basis of personality.

She's pretty hot, for a politician.

[ancientart]

The alternative to Thune is Herseth, a liberal rich kid who has never had a job and has gotten as far as she has because her granddaddy was governor.

And because Emily's List has made her a top priority candidate, hoping to make an extreme pro-abort the only congressman from this pro-life state.

[Princeliberty]

Herseth only got what she did last out of anti-Janklow
feeling.

Thune would crush her big time. At least 20%
prehaps even 2 to 1.

[streetpreacher]

"He has a connection to his party's base like his father did. People in the Republican Party love him, and you have to start there," Thune said.

Well, let's hope this part of the article ain't true... LOL.

[The Great RJ]

I hope South Dakota Republicans have the sense to tell Congressman Janklow to leave politics and not come back. He has been highly ineffective in his first term even before his manslaughter charge. Janklow has missed more votes in the House during his first term than Johnson and Daschle combined and so far has failed to deliver much for his constituants. The prospect of a politically charged trial on the manslaughter charge will do little to help his effectiveness in Congress and could easily hand the win to Herseth if he tries to run again.

[Pubbie]

I think will run because he wouldn't wait till December and announce he isn't running because that would screw up the fundraising campaign of any other Republican who wants to run against Daschle.

[Kuksool]

***She's pretty hot, for a politician.***

In nature, some of the most beautiful animals are the most poisonous.

Hopefully, Larry Pressler will run the House seat and Thune makes Daschle feel "deeply saddened" in 2004.

[Pubbie]

"Hopefully, Larry Pressler will run the House seat and Thune makes Daschle feel "deeply saddened" in 2004."

Do either of you think Pressler might want to come out of retirement and save the GOP's Congressional Bacon?

As far as Thune goes, I think it would be very unlikely that Thune would wait all the way to January to announce he is not going to run. I think Thune runs.

[JohnnyZ]

Do either of you think Pressler might want to come out of retirement and save the GOP's Congressional Bacon?

Yes. Although I think there are other candidates, not nationally known, who would be good for the House race.

[Pubbie]

Has he said anything about coming back and running for Janklow's seat?

I did a google search, and saw that Pressler is 61, so he still is at a decent age to run again for public office.

[JohnnyZ]

There was an article, I think . . .

[Pubbie]

Here is an article I found off of Google about Pressler:

http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:FgIUdJ3ltV0J:csd.cqpress.com/+%22Larry+Pressler%22+retirement+Janklow+2003&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

REP. JANKLOW (R SD) ARRAIGNED, TRIAL SET FOR DECEMBER 1
Freshman Rep. William J. Janklow (R SD-At Large) pleaded innocent September 26 to criminal charges stemming from his involvement in a fatal accident August 16 that killed a motorcyclist. Rep. Janklow entered the plea at his arraignment in Moody County District Court in Flandreau, SD on a felony second-degree manslaughter charge and three misdemeanor charges relating to the crash at an intersection of two rural highways not far from his home. Rep. Janklow sustained injuries to his head and hand in the crash. Third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Rodney Steele scheduled Rep. Janklow’s trial for December 1.

A former four-term governor, Rep. Janklow had been seen before the accident as a possible challenger for the Senate seat of Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D) in 2004. If Rep. Janklow resigns or retires, attorney Stephanie Herseth is seen as the likely Democratic contender for the seat. Former U.S. Rep. John R. Thune and former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler are possible GOP candidates for the seat, although national Republican Party officials have been pressing Thune to take on Sen. Daschle next year.

[ancientart]

Do either of you think Pressler might want to come out of retirement and save the GOP's Congressional Bacon

A very good chance. Pressler ran against Janklow in the 2000 Republican primary. He got 27% of the vote to Janklow's 55%. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Pressler challenge Janklow in the primary again should Janklow decide to run. Janklow, by the way, still has very strong support in SD, and may in fact decide to run again. He's not the kind of guy to drop out for the sake of the party. He's challenged incumbent Republicans in primaries himself--one of the reasons Tom Daschle is a SD senator.