Posted on 10/28/2004 9:35:40 AM PDT by presidio9
WASHINGTON - With polls showing Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle's re-election in jeopardy, hundreds of Republican and Democratic activists, including scores of Senate aides, are being dispatched to South Dakota for the final get-out-the-vote push.
For Republicans, toppling Daschle ranks second only to hanging onto the White House in Election Night prizes.
Not only would a loss by Daschle to Republican John Thune set back Democratic plans to take control of the Senate, it would give Republicans a psychological boost in the increasingly bitter struggle over who runs the federal government.
"To knock off a member of the leadership of any party is a big deal," said Jennifer E. Duffy, an analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
The last ouster of a party leader was in 1994, when Republicans defeated then-House Speaker Tom Foley, D-Wash., and took control of the House after 40 years of Democratic rule.
But unlike Foley, whose loss was a surprise, Daschle has been preparing for a stiff Republican challenge for at least two years. The three-term Democrat "is running probably the best race in the country," Duffy added. "This is going to be a really, really close race."
Recent history A Mason Dixon poll published Wednesday showed Daschle favored by 49 percent of likely voters while Thune was the pick of 47 percent. The difference was within the survey's 3.5 percentage point margin of error.
Although the state has a recent history of electing Democrats to Congress, Republicans' chances of driving Daschle from office are boosted by the popularity of President Bush among state voters.
Last weekend, dozens of Republican Senate aides arrived in South Dakota to shore up the party's voter canvassing operation. Democrats have chartered aircraft to fly Senate staff members and other volunteers to the state to help Daschle.
Two years ago, the Senate race in South Dakota — featuring Thune, an ex-congressman, and Democrat Tim Johnson — was the closest in the nation. With major assistance from Daschle, Johnson won the election by 524 votes.
State's interest As they did in 2002, Thune and national Republican leaders, including Bush, have tried to make Daschle's Democratic leadership role an issue, arguing that it works against the state's interests.
To counter attacks on his record, Daschle reminds voters of the federal farm aid and other government funding he has helped steer to the state during his 18 years in the Senate.
Most recently, he fought for aid to help drought-stricken South Dakota farmers; helped extend tax subsidies for ethanol, a gasoline additive made from corn; and supported a law allowing state sales tax payments to be deducted from federal income taxes.
Personal attacks Thune, a Christian conservative who works as a lobbyist, has tried to make an issue of Daschle's support for abortion rights. Thune characterizes Daschle as a "blocking machine" that has held up judicial nominations, tax cuts and an energy bill that includes more benefits for ethanol producers.
In recent days, the two candidates have angrily attacked each other after Thune's campaign ran a newspaper ad accusing the senator of profiting from his wife's work as a lobbyist.
The Daschle campaign responded with a television ad that charged: "What does it say about a man's character when he attacks another man's wife?"
"Daschle is having to answer for things that he's doing in Washington," said Dan Allen, a spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
If Daschle is defeated, Allen said, "that would send a message to other Senate Democrats" who might consider blocking the president's agenda in Congress.
Brad Woodhouse, a spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Republicans are engaging in wishful thinking.
"It's going to be a symbolic victory for us," Woodhouse said. "They tried in 2000 against Tim Johnson. They lost. And they are going to get taken to the woodshed again on Tuesday."
Yup.
Thune should be showing lots of footage of Linda Daschle who is a lobbyist for an Airline (I think that's it) and her husband gets to "decide" on legislation.
How clean is that?
Uh, let me guess. The man's wife is corrupt or criminal ?
More like major fraud from Dasshole...
Pray, and then pray harder for Tommy to fall!
If Bush wins and Daschle gets the boot, the momentum produced for the Senate to act on the Presidents agenda items might be unstoppable. Especially with another 1/3rd of the Senate going on the block in 2 short years.
Linda is not allowed to lobby in the Senate.
At Daschles height, its not really a fall, but more of a tumble.
Maybe the cowboys in South Dakota finally wised up and recognized little Tommy Dasshole for what he really is - a left-wing, anti-gun, pro-commie, pinko northeastern style liberal who is out of place in the west.
Dasshole should move to Massachusetts and run for Senator from there.
Now that was a great day. I expect another great day next Tuesday!
I do hope the news next Wednesday morning is that Dashole is indeed, "deeply saddened".
I know I'm deeply saddened. /sarcasm
He should've lost last time.
I would scarcely call Daschle winning by 524 fraudulent votes being "taken to the woodshed".
SS. Brad looking to take over Terry McAwefuls' job. 524 crooked votes is NOT being taken to the woodshed, moron!
More than an airline she is a lobbyist for Boeing. The defense contracts alone should disqualify him for public service.
I hope the President will at the very least run an ad in South Dakota asking them to vote for THUNE!
But her husband votes on legislation. If a bill goes to the House and then to the Senate, I still see dirty work afoot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.