Posted on 11/03/2004 2:22:02 AM PST by JohnHuang2
Edited on 11/03/2004 2:22:20 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle has lost his battle against former three-term U.S. Rep. John Thune, 51-49 percent, in their race for a South Dakota Senate seat.
Daschle, who has served three terms, is the first Senate leader to be unseated since 1952.
With nearly all the ballots tabulated, Thune edged Daschle by less than 8,700 votes out of more than 383,000 cast.
Republican national leadership invested in the race, regarding the Democrat as an obstacle to President Bush's initiatives.
Not counting money spent by outside groups, Daschle and Thune had poured $26.3 million into the race by mid-October. That amounts to more than $50 for each of the state's 502,000 registered voters.
Earlier today, a federal judge in Sioux Falls issued a ruling that prohibited Republican poll watchers in Charles Mix County from following American Indian voters out of polling places. The workers also were barred from recording license plate numbers.
Daschle had asked for a temporary restraining covering the whole state that would prevent Republicans from doing anything that would "harass, intimidate or discourage voters."
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol said there "clearly is the threat of irreparable harm" to Daschle.
Thune said he would appeal the ruling to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tomorrow, calling it a "sham ruling will not stand."
Thune campaign manager Dick Wadhams accused Daschle of filing the suit because he knew he would lose. Wadhams pointed out Piersol is a longtime friend of Daschle's.
"No campaign goes into federal court with a political crony in a judge's robe unless they think they're going to lose," Wadhams said, according to the Associated Press.
Daschle spokesman Dan Pfeiffer challenged Wadhams to have the judge recuse himself if he was concerned about Piersol's impartiality.
Wadhams said there was no evidence to indicate any voters were intimidated by GOP poll watchers in Charles Mix County, where Democrats hold a big advantage.
Good riddance.
There is justice in this world. God is good.
The bastard tried to sabotage this country. I cannot believe that someone did not beat the snot out of this excuse of an American. /rant ... I know, we cannot do that as civilised folks on the fruited plain of America. (Would have been sweet though, to have seen him bitch-slapped by Hillary).
he can ultimately thank Clinton who's legacy means a Republican Senate a Republican House and a two term Pubbie President
Hey Tommy, Let the door hit you in the ass on the way out......
Seconded! ;-)
ROLFOL!!!
Damn! Look at that face *LOL*
time for tom to call in the lawyers
he should be forced to live in South Dakota
Well...I wish it were so. Patrick Leahy, the other big judicial obstructionist, won his home state of Vermont handily, something like 3-1. So some places approve of their shameful tactics. Unfortunately for Tommy boy and wonderful for us, South Dakota wasn't one of them. It's a mystery that he survived for so many years IMO given the conservative nature of SD.
Oh what Glee!! as I savor the thought that I had a small part, $40 contribution, in Thune's victory.
Oh what a beautiful morning....
Can't help myself, words can't describe how happy this makes me!
One more time
Tom Daschle booted by Thune
OHHH that was sooo good!
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