Yes it does matter. I don't know the viewership of MTP in South Dakota, but in a 50-50 election, it doesn't take much to swing an election. You can bet the SD press will cover the interview as well. I don't trust Russert to conduct a fair and objective interview. He will emphasize Daschle's national role as the Dems Senate leader, and probably enumerate Daschle's talking points against Thune.
Actually those of us that live here in SD are very knowledgeable with respect to politics. Daschole stronghold comes not from his representing the views and positions of SD, but of his ability to bring in 10 times the amount of federal funding than what is "stolen" out of the state. The second reason he remains in power is that he gives SD, an extremely small population, a large voice in Washington; however, polluted that voice may be. If we, Thune that is, can address these two issues and convince SD that our voice will still be heard, Dashole will lose in a landslide
I thought Timmy did one his unusually fair interviews- and - I thought Thune won.