US ex-senator (Guess Who?)says undecided about whether to run for president in 2008

Yahoo News/AFP ^ | 10/12/2005 | Yahoo News/AFP

[Mike Bates]

Tom Daschle, a former US senator who lost his seat last year, told AFP that he was undecided about whether to run as a candidate in 2008 presidential elections that will decide who will succeed George W. Bush.

"I haven't made any decision about my political future," he said during a visit to Paris when asked specifically about his plans regarding the presidency.

"My hope is to make as much of a contribution for my party over the next couple of years as I can," he said.

Daschle, who used to be the leader of the Democrats in the US senate before being narrowly beaten by a Republican in the November 2004 election in his home state of South Dakota, said he was making a week-long European trip taking in Britain, France and Germany in his capacity as a member of a US law firm trying to drum up business.

But his recent decision to form a new political committee from a fundraising body he used in his senatorial days has sparked speculation in the US media that he plans to run again for public office.

In his interview with AFP, Daschle, 58, ruled out taking a shot at the governorship of South Dakota, saying "I have little interest in state government, I have far greater interest in national government."

But he did admit that his new committee, called New Leadership for America, was set up as a "platform" for his ambitions.

"Whether it's to make a run for further office or not is unclear," he added.

[Mike Bates]

Say, Tom, why don't you stay over there and run in France? You'd probably do a lot better.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[dead]

This is like Ron Palillo speculating on whether or not he'll accept next year's Best Actor Oscar.

[highlander_UW]

LOL...he can't win in his own state but he wants to run for president? I say bring it on shouting boy. I would love to see Dashchle as the dim candidate for president.

[GianniV]

Yeah - he'll be a great candidate. Totally glum and kicked out of office by his own constituents.

Bring it on, Tommy.

[Mike Bates]

LOL...he can't win in his own state but he wants to run for president?

It's happened before. Remember Richard M. Nixon?

[Mike Bates]

Your screen name reminds me of Tommy's base:

[x5452]

If liberals could get the lifeless body of Lenin to move occastionally they run him (and probably command a large percent of the vote!)

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Tom, Tom, Tom...be patient - let the groundswell of support percolate a while!

This reminds me of Dan Quayle announcing in early 1995 the he was intending to run in 1996. Two weeks later he shelved the plans - recognizing the he needed to spend more time with his family (which were presumably ascertainable two weeks earlier). What it really amounted to was an attempt to freeze contributors - and when that didn't work - he withdrew. The difference between Quayle and Daschle is that Quayle is far more popular.

[Mike Bates]

Certainly in Crook County, Illinois. There's the old story of the lifelong 'Rat who specified he be buried in Chicago so he could stay politically active.

[Mike Bates]

Another difference is the former VP actually has a personality.

[stylin19a]

...was set up as a "platform" for his ambitions.
well, he DOES need a platform to reach the microphone

[Mike Bates]

Or at least a phone book.

[cynicom]

Guess Tom has not been able to find a job.

[cynicom]

Did you mean ground SMELL????

[highlander_UW]

It's happened before. Remember Richard M. Nixon?

Richard Nixon at least had a stint as VP...all Daschle has to point to as experience is a failed time in the Senate as well as some time in Congress.

[Ann Archy]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!! That little Tommy is so funny!! Running for President when he lost his Senate seat...HHAHAHAHHAHAHAH!

[Mike Bates]

He's got a lobbyist gig at DC's Alson & Bird, has been put on the BOD of CB Richard Ellis, and probably is on payrolls he can only vaguely recall.

[Ditto]

Tom who?

[GaltMeister]

Poor saddened Tommy can't decide.

[Mike Bates]

I'll bet he's still disappointed, too.