[G Larry]

Disagree w your analysis.
I believe the party leaders told him to sit back and wait for a shot at Daschle next year.
Avoids getting labled a whiner, and gives us a chance to prevent that type of election fraud in S.D. next time.
Much better to beat Tiny Tom face to face than in a proxy war!

[Rummyfan]

I agree that the Rep Party probably got Thune to back down - just like with Ashcroft in Missouri, who had a very good case when he lost to Carnahan (the Mrs I mean, who technically was not even on the ballot). You lost, that's it, we'll get them next time.