[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.

[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.