Posted on 11/03/2004 6:07:19 AM PST by I got the rope
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Congress's top Democrat, Tom Daschle, lost his bid to be reelected to the Senate, US networks reported, capping a night of defeats his party, which also failed to win control of either chamber of the US legislature.
Daschle, arguably the most powerful Democrat in the US Congress, lost the Senate's most closely-watched election in a 51 percent to 49 percent squeaker to Republican challenger John Thune, a former member of the House of Representatives.
In failing to hold on to the seat he first won in 1986, Daschle becomes the first Senate leader to lose reelection in more than half a century. Daschle was seeking his fourth term in the Senate.
Two years ago, Thune narrowly lost his challenge to the state's other Democratic senator, Tim Johnson.
Although a long-time South Dakota incumbent and the state's top politician, Daschle faced a tough race as a Democrat in an overwhelmingly Republican state.
GOP leaders in the US Senate made beating Daschle a priority and tapped the telegenic Thune, a former basketball star from the hamlet of Murdo, as their standard bearer.
Daschle won his last Senate race in 1998 race with 62 percent of the vote, but he was seen as more vulnerable after his flirtation with a presidential run this year alienated voters in his state.
Thune also succeeded in portraying him as a Washington DC liberal more likely to espouse a far left wing agenda in the Senate than the traditional bedrock heartland values that South Dakotans cherish.
Daschle and Thune spent more than 40 million dollars in what has become the Senate's most expensive and bitterly-contested race.
Talk about schadenfreude! Nix that, I'm not secretly gladdened by his despair, I'm openly elated about it!
While I am, of course, overjoyed at this bit of news, that Tommie will now be relegated (elevated?) to a high priced lobbyist spot, I am now seeking reassurance that the junior senator from NY (she who will not be named) is not now the de facto minority leader. So, who is the minority leader, now?
I am deeply saddened....not
Almost, but not quite, as gratifying as the Bush reelection!
If Daschle takes Viagra, does he grow taller?
It depends on what leg he is standing on.
(sorry, couldn't resist)
Thank You America!!
One more great American Removed...yea right!
HEEEEEE!!!
Amen. AMF Daschle...
"All God's children singing Glory Glory!"
.....hallelujah He reigns (He reigns)
Yes! This is what I'm trying to say, I'm just too slow a typist. I must try to focus on the positive.
Daschle's losing is the second best news of this election. The way he embraced Bush then stabbed him in the back reminds me of Kerry and the veterans.
I can't tell you how much pressure I feel is gone with a Presidential win, but a Daschle loss, simply brings a BIG smile to my face and makes me laugh my head off.
Oh, the sad, sad gurgling sound of all that West Coast Ambulance Chaser and Abortier money swirling down the SD drain...
I agree. This further weakens the Dems control of the Senate, and also signals, to the next minority leader, that compromise is better than conflict.
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"HAHA!" |
We should thank him for campaigning for Thune.
Perhaps, somebody should send Tom Daschole a gift certificate for free Kool-Aid*.
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