Thune not running to fill Janklow's House seat

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/7505544.htm ^ | Tue, Dec. 16, 2003 | Carson Walker, AP

[anonymous_user]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Republican John Thune will not be a candidate for the U.S. House seat left open by Rep. Bill Janklow, a spokesman said Tuesday.

However, Thune will wait until after the first of the year to decide whether to challenge Democratic Sen. Tom Daschle, political aide Ryan Nelson said.

Thune outlined his plan in a letter to Randy Frederick, the chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party.

Frederick praised Thune for allowing other candidates to step forward and run.

"We are elated with John's quick, decisive actions, his not leaving the party in the lurch. He's helping us out by making his wishes known so quickly and it helps with the candidates also. His decisive actions are benefiting the state," Frederick said.

"It appears he is not letting Washington, D.C., dictate to him what's best for South Dakota."

Dan Pfeiffer, Daschle's press secretary, said Daschle has prepared for the 2004 election more intensely than other campaigns.

"He has put together the best funded, best organized campaign that he has ever had and is prepared for any opponent that may come," said Pfeiffer.

Thune had said he would decide whether to run for the Senate around the end of the year. After Janklow's announced resignation, he said he would let the party know whether he intended to run for his old job again. Thune served three terms in Congress and lost to incumbent Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson last year by 524 votes.

[dfergu7477]

Don't be so quick to write off Illinois. I thought this seat was a lost cause, because the GOP here is so pathetic, and the RAT Chicago machine dominates the state. But if Jack Ryan is the nominee for the GOP, and the RATS select anyone other than Dan Hynes (who has statewide name recognition), this race'll be a toss-up. At the least, it won't be an automatic for the RATS--they'll have to spend a lot of time and money, here, too.

[cksharks]

And hopefully he would kick your stupid ass!!!!!!!!!

[blackie]

Comments ~ Bump!

[Sockdologer]

He wasn't in office to do so.

[jagrmeister]

I'm getting tired of Thune's waiting game. My impression, which I base on nothing but speculation and some evidence, is that while the White House courted Thune to run against Johnson in 2002 (this is true), they were dissapointed with his candidacy (speculation). The White House has not been as encouraging this time around (this has also been reported) and so Thune is biding his time to remind the White House how important he is to boosting the GOP majority in the Senate and get them to assure support for his impending candidacy (speculation).

[Clintonfatigued]

THE END OF THE YEAR? Good grief! There comes a time when you have to dump or get off the toilet! What is Thune doing? Is he negotiating for prime committee assignments?

[BillF]

Sockd,

Are you saying that Thune was NOT in Congress at the time of CFR so Huck is condemning Thune to hell for a vote that he did not make?

Huck, what is the situation?

[Theodore R.]

Thune was in Congress in 2002, when the campaign finance vote was taken.

[Gunder]

It's good news if it means he's going to take on Daschle. But it's bad news if it means this house seat goes to Stephanie Herseth. She gave Janklow a real run for his money. Anyone know who the Pubs are likely to put up against her? You'd think they'd be crawling with candidates. After all, this is South Dakota. But I guess if they can elect Daschle then they're capable of anything.

[KQQL]

D lady has a slight edge as of now in SD race.

[Torie]

Unless there is some hot Pubbie, I would suspect she is the odds on favorite. But who cares?

[KQQL]

Unless there is some hot Pubbie, I would suspect she is the odds on favorite. But who cares?

National media will say, her being elected in SD = SD has rejected W's policy over RAT and Puff's

[KQQL]

http://www.thehill.com/news/121703/thune.aspx

Other Republicans who have voiced interest in running for South Dakota’s only House seat include state Sen. Larry Diedrich; former state Sen. Barb Everist; former Sioux Falls Mayor Gary Hanson; former Thune aide Larry Russell; and Bob Sahr, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission.

In addition, former Republican Sen. Larry Pressler’s name has been mentioned by Republicans on the party’s state executive committee, which will select the GOP nominee sometime after Jan. 20, when Janklow’s resignation takes effect.

[anonymous_user]

I'll certainly agree with that, Huck. The whole CFR thing is an embarassment, but voting against it would certainly have unleashed a bunch of "and John Thune voted AGAINST campaign finance reform..." ads to influence swing voters. It's political blackmail and bad legislation.

[Kuksool]

South Dakota could end up with an all RAT Congressional delegation by the end of next year. Many South Dakota Freepers here think Herseth will win the lone House seat. I hope Larry Pressler runs for the House seat.

[Kuksool]

If Herseth wins the SD House seat, then she will be the heiress to the Senate seat of either Tom Daschle or Tim Johnson. Both Daschle and Johnson held SD's lone House seat before being elected to the Senate.

[Torie]

The dynamics of senate elections is a bit past heir apparents. Sure, it would give the woman a leg up, after seasoning in House. Maybe, in another 12 years, she could take Johnson's seat. I don't worry about it. I certainly understand Thune rejecting the idea of a reprise of a House stint. Indeed, the idea might be so stale, he might lose such a race.

[Kuksool]

Exactly, a victory by Herseth could give Daschle the momentum needed to defeat Thune. A Daschle vs. Thune contest will be no slam dunk for the GOP. Being Senate Minority Leader gives Daschle the ability to massively outspend Thune.

[William McKinley]

It would not be great to lose that house seat, but we have some margin to play with in the house, especially after the Texas redistricting. I'd put that house seat at risk to get a shot at knocking off Daschle, any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

And my "good news" was predicated on the reason being that his is running against Tiny Tom.

[ObiJuan]

National media can't say anything if Dasshole loses. Bush would hopefully have some coattails next year and lead to wins in the south, CA, WA, and SD over Dasshole