Tom Daschle to Test Waters for 2008 Run

NewsMax ^ | 18 May 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle will gauge potential support for a 2008 presidential bid with stops in Iowa, New Hampshire and Michigan next month.

Daschle, the three-term South Dakota senator who lost a re-election bid in 2004, said Wednesday that the trip is a logical progression as he weighs a White House run.

"It's just taking the next step to a more thoughtful consideration of a presidential campaign," Daschle said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Iowa and New Hampshire are the traditional early voting states and numerous potential candidates have visited there in recent months. Michigan could be one of two states shoehorned in between Iowa and New Hampshire if the Democratic Party decides to change its primary calendar.

Daschle said he will be traveling to states to "sound out presidential themes, talk to voters and get a sense of what kind of a reception I might be getting." He also will be campaigning for local candidates.

Republican John Thune defeated Daschle, then the Senate Minority leader, two years ago. Since that loss, Daschle, a fellow at the liberal think tank Center for American Progress, started a political action committee to support Democratic candidates and has criticized President Bush on the Iraq war and other issues.

Daschle said he believes New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the current Democratic front-runner.

"She's in a class by herself," he said. "In many cases she's like an incumbent. But I've learned after all these years in politics that what looks like a certainty one day could be a complete turnabout the next."

Daschle, 58, said he would decide by the end of this year, maybe sooner, if he will run for president.

[Vision]

Poor Tom, he's such a loser and keeps inviting pain into his life

[nickcarraway]

GOP doesn't have many winners, either.

[mylife]

Please let it be true!

[Kuksool]

Perhaps, Daschle wants a rematch with Thune in 2008. GWB made Thune look bad when the Pentagon planned on closing the army base in SD.

The thing I really I don't like about Bush is that he expects Republican Congresscritters to vote for his agenda even if the particular issue goes against the Congresscritter's constituents.

[kstewskis]

"It's just taking the next step to a more thoughtful consideration of a presidential campaign," Daschle said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Ow my sides!! LOL!!!

This is just a reminder, if anyone is ever looking for a laugh, just look to the DAMNocrat loser club! LOL!!!

[ChildOfThe60s]

Have the Dems a never-ending supply of DUDS - all wanting to be President???!!!

Yes.........but the republicans are running a close second. I see the next Prez's qualifications as being less dislikeable that his opponent. Geez, what a country.

[calljack]

Maybe he could start with some Florida water.

[Mr. Brightside]

I would love to see a repeat of this:

[Seadog Bytes]

   

(Please FReepmail if you want on, or off, this list.   I certainly have no desire to increase anyone’s stress-level. Thanks!!!)

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

The thing I really I don't like about Bush is that he expects Republican Congresscritters to vote for his agenda even if the particular issue goes against the Congresscritter's constituents.

The thing I really I don't like about Bush is that he thinks like a Mexican.....

As kooky as Al Gore is........I believe that he is a better American!!

[Smartass]

LOL, who in the hell is Tom Daschle? ...

[fieldmarshaldj]

I can't imagine why she'd make Daschle her running mate given that he comes from an electorally insignificant state and he's already a "loser."

[untrained skeptic]

Have the Dems a never-ending supply of DUDS

Yes.

What I'd really like to see is a Gore/Dean ticket.

There would never be a boring news day during that campaign.

[unixfox]

I hope he can walk on water, because that's the only chance in hell he will have.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He's visiting New H., Iowa, etc, testing the water. Maybe he'll luck out and get a half fare on Northwest.

[Gumdrop]

OK, this is a joke, right?

[dead]

[Fido969]

Oh gosh, just thinking about this guy as the rat candidate from president just fills me full of joy...

[luvbach1]

Algore or Tom, Algore or Tom, an agonizing decision for Demonrats!