Tom Daschle to Lose Senate Seat?

CBN ^ | 10/14/04 | David Brody

[wagglebee]

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota. -- Control of the Senate will be up for grabs on Election Day. Right now, Republicans hold a slight edge 51-49, but there are some key Senate races that will determine the outcome. The biggest one is in South Dakota, where the top Democrat, Minority Leader Tom Daschle, is in the fight for his political life.

On the colorful, picture-postcard plains of South Dakota comes the story of Tom and John. That is how they are known out here. And no, they are not best friends. As a matter of fact, they are not that fond of each other.

But debates like that happen when you are involved in the most important Senate race in the country. So that is why CBN News came to this state, where the slogan reads, “Great faces. Great places.”

Maybe they should add a line this year to say, 'Great races, too." Because that is what this is. A heavyweight bout between Sen. Daschle, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, and his challenger John Thune, who wants to send Tom packing. Thune is asking voters here to see Daschle for who he truly is: the liberal Washington, D.C. insider who is blocking the President's agenda at every turn.

And Thune says that does not jive with the conservative values of South Dakotans. He comments, "You cannot effectively represent your state, the state of South Dakota, at the same time you are having to take your cues and answers to a liberal Democratic caucus that consists of Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry. And that's who he has to answer to."

There is no arguing that the people here in South Dakota are pretty conservative. Four years ago, this state went to George W. Bush, and polls indicate it will again this time as well. So how is Sen. Daschle doing it? How, for 25 years has this state continued to elect him, even though his liberal views seem to be in direct contrast to the people here?

The Daschle camp will tell you it is really pretty simple. They point to how time and time again, he has come through with big money for the state, and has wielded his influential power in a way that benefits South Dakotans.

Jake Mass, Daschle's campaign press secretary, says, "When the farm bill was written, Tom Daschle was in the room. He ensured that it was the most South Dakota-friendly farm bill that's ever been written. We have that ability because we have Tom Daschle in Washington fighting for our states priorities."

Thune says South Dakotans will not take a back seat with him as senator.

"Does anyone really think that the money coming into South Dakota is going to completely dry up,” said, Thune, “if Tom Daschle is not the minority leader? Any senator who's worth their salt is going to get their fair share of the federal dollars. That's what senators do."

Yet for years, the image of Daschle as a prairie populist has stuck with voters here. The liberal Washington insider tag has not. And Daschle's TV ads really sum up what his campaign theme is: "It may seem like something small, but every year Tom Daschle gets in his car and visits every county in the state. Every year, Tom goes to all 66 counties and nine reservations to listen and to learn. And while we are a small state, Tom Daschle makes sure our voice is heard in the halls of power, and that South Dakota's needs are put to the top of the national agenda."

The Thune camp says, wait a minute. The South Dakota visits may be a nice touch, but what he's doing in Washington is downright wrong. They point to a list of legislation called the 'Daschle dead zone" that has passed the House, but Daschle has blocked almost all of it.

Like permanent tax cuts, a cloning bill, flag burning, an energy bill, welfare reform and yes, one of the biggest ones: judicial nominations, where Thune says Daschle is leading the crusade to block votes on Bush's nominees.

And the Thune camp says a shot of Daschle hugging Bush after 9/11, which Daschle is using in his ads in South Dakota, says it all. Thune says that picture is misleading voters because Daschle is not supporting Bush at all. So the question is, will the liberal label stick, or will voters go with a known commodity?. Right now, the race is a toss up.

David Kranz has been covering South Dakota politics for 30 years. CBN News asked him if this is the most danger Daschle has been in, in his political career in South Dakota. Kranz responded, "Oh, there's no doubt about it."

Kranz writes for the Argus Leader, the dominant newspaper in South Dakota and he says this race will be decided by one factor. "It's going to come down to get out the vote. The ground game is critical. You can look at all the ads you want to. You can listen to all the messages on radio. Read everything in the newspaper about this particular contest; but in the end, it's the people who are in charge; that says I need to get these people to vote. That's going to decide this election."

The challenge for both Daschle and Thune will be finding the votes here that matter. It is estimated that most people here in South Dakota have made up their mind. Polls are showing that only two percent of the population here is still undecided. That is very low, and it has both sides scrambling to find the undecided.

When you look for undecideds, you go just about anywhere, including the annual homecoming parade in small town Harrisburg, South Dakota. There is the homecoming king and queen, and the man on the tractor, and yes, there's Thune, glad-handing and high-fiving his way through the crowd. It is an advantage he has over Daschle, who has to spend most of his time in Washington.

Yet the Daschle volunteers are here handing out stickers to anyone they can find. One Daschle supporter said, "Daschle is strictly for the ordinary person. I think he's worked hard all these years in the Senate for South Dakota, the common ordinary person."

But if we move from the parade to one of the local hangouts in Sioux Falls, the view changes and the conversation is definitely top of mind.

One Thune supporter named Mark said, “I mean he's the minority leader. I mean, the things that's he done and stood up for and said. It's just not South Dakota, and it's time for him to go."

As for the signs around town, they are pretty split, just like this race. Daschle signs on one side of the street -- maybe it is the left side, and Thune on the right. At the Daschle campaign headquarters, the pro-Tom signs are up, and volunteers are at the ready.

All of them have one message to voters: Daschle is for South Dakota.

Mass said, "It's not about being a liberal or a Democrat. It's about putting South Dakota's priorities first, and I think South Dakotans know Tom Daschle, and they've seen him time and time again put South Dakota first."

But just a few minutes away, at Thune headquarters, volunteers there are on the phone to potential voters with a much different message. One that they hope will have a lasting effect.

CBN News asked Thune, "If you're able to send Daschle out of office, what kind of message is that going to send to the liberal wing of the Democratic Party?

Thune replied, "A win here in South Dakota will send a message once and for all to the Democrat caucus, that whoever their next leader is should not employ this block-and-blame game, this pattern of obstructionism that is keeping the work from going forward. I think it will break that logjam, get the Senate functioning and working again in a way that very few other races in the country can."

So the next time you think of South Dakota, remember, it is not just about Mount Rushmore, or cows, or small town U.S.A. It is also about Tom and John, and there is a lot riding on the outcome.

[Big Horn]

Thune gave Tommy boy a whipping in the debate this week.
Dasshole gets grants for every town or city for police fire and medical etc. Dasshole say Thune voted to rob S.S. by voting for tax cuts. Thune apparently has the support of Means, a upset winner for the Tribal council, in Pine Ridge. I spoke to a tribal member last week who was very unhappy with the corruption with Tribal funds. He said they never see any of the money made in the casino.

[sweetliberty]

Well, that's encouraging. A recent development? This link was last updated in March of 2002.

State Requirements for Voter ID

[Big Horn]

Tommy don't like it when Thune says, don't listen what he says watch what he does.
Tommy has helped the GOP gain control of the house, senate and the White House.

[ApplegateRanch]

For the last few local elections, we have had to show ID. Until last year, we had used absentee, so not sure how long it has been in effect for in-person voting, but it sure is now.

[sdpatriot]

don't know about money from NRA - but they have endorsed both Thune and Diedrich.

but i think they endorse Stephanie Herseth also? not sure there. she won in our special election in June because she did like Tommy does - she ran on a Rupublican platform. people NEVER learn i swear.
she is endorsed by EMILY.

cannot stand her.. she is a female dasshole.. through and through.. she even uses a whispery voice.. ugh.

[Rushmore Rocks]

I've had to show my driver's license for the past two elections. I live between Rapid City and Rushmore.

[bert]

.....Whatever would we do without him.....

Begin an unrelenting, no holds barred, deathgrip struggle against Ted Kennedy.

[Rushmore Rocks]

It is "old news" to me.....but probably not to most of the FReepers. It is wonderful to have so much out of state support for Thune on this board. We have Russell Means and Tim Giago, two major Indian activists, supporting Thune this time. Sure hope it helps.

I am a volunteer working on both the Thune and Diedtrich campaigns. Right now, I am very tired....it's a cold blustery day here in Rapid City...I've been out knocking on doors and passing out literature all day....as I've been doing for weeks. But the reception I've gotten from all the people I've visited has totally energized me. I've visited with many, many who voted for Daschle last time, but will vote for Thune in November.

I agree with you.....Thune will win.

I'm still pretty upset with the NRA and their endorsement of Herseth over Diedtrich. I just don't understand it. I fear it may hurt him a bit. He is a wonderful man, very conservative, and a strong Second Ammendment advocate.

Now, if we can just keep Denise Ross (Rapid City Journal political reporter) from imprinting her liberal opinions on every article she writes about the campaign.

By the way, welcome to FReeRepublic. You will love it and become quickly addicted.

[wagglebee]

Begin an unrelenting, no holds barred, deathgrip struggle against Ted Kennedy. As good as that sounds, it would be a total waste of money. Tubby has that job as long as he wants it. All he really does is run around the country and campaign for other 'Rats, he would do that even out of office. The best bet is to keep him full of scotch and let him keep babbling incoherently.

[bert]

.....total waste of money.....

Money has nothing to do with it. I'm talking about pounding the keyboards to relieve the tension, to have fun to, antagonize the staff.

I mean what will we do when people can't say "I'm deeply troubled" 3,853 times perday.

[Hot Tabasco]

I have a feeling that as long as there isn't massive voter fraud

That is my greatest fear in the presidential election in all the key states.........

But of them all I would love to see Tommie unseated.......

[boop]

Hey, I just got back from Boston. I love your city! I must say though it was interesting to see a place that is so pro-Kerry. I was tempted to buy a campaign button with Kerry and Ted Kennedy that said "favorite sons" just for the laughs, but 5.95 was too steep just for a few giggles. I only noticed 2 pro-Bush bumper stickers and they were both in the North End. Is Little Italy a repub outpost in liberal Boston?

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

Election workers have the authority to wave the photo id requirement on a case by case basis. It's a fact.

We need poll watchers in every precinct for at least most of the day. We can do it. In the special election in June we had every polling place covered by at least one person in the City of Sioux Falls. The Dems were confident and didn't even have any. They just sent operatives out at midday to check on the turnout numbers. We are experienced; we have the locals; and the dems must rely on several hundred Hessian troops.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

Recent? Yes it followed the 2000 debacle I believe. But as I posted, it is not hard and fast (but what is with a leberal judge, aka OH). Poll workers can waive the requirement if they determeine other proof of identity is sufficient.

[ken5050]

FYI..there's a long, and very good article in the National Journal ..posted yesterday, about the race..

[solo gringo]

Daschle is at home in D C he does not have a pot or window in S/D his home is in Washington D.C.I have never understood why S/D and the good people there keep putting Daschle back in office.He has made a laughing stock of S/D and her people.

[Bushbacker]

If Thune couldn't beat Tim Johnson, a non-entity, how can you
expect him to beat Daschle, who is the leader of the Dems in the Senate?

There will be a lot of ticket-splitting, and Daschle will hold the seat, alas.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[EternalVigilance]

If Thune couldn't beat Tim Johnson, a non-entity, how can you expect him to beat Daschle, who is the leader of the Dems in the Senate?

Refighting the last war is never a good thing. Sorry, but that's what you're doing.

Circumstances in America, and in South Dakota, have changed since then.

Can't believe you're ready to throw in the towel when the polls show Thune and Daschle in a dead heat.

[Terpfen]

BTTT is an abbreviation for "bump to the top."