[mwl1]

If popular statewide officeholder Thune can't defeat a freshman Senator, what makes you think a loser (not a personal insult to John Thune, just a result of this election) out of office can defeat a powerful Majority/Minority Leader (perhaps former leader) assuming he runs?

Because Daschle conned thousands of Republicans into stupidly believing that voting for Johnson could preserve Daschle as the senate majority leader.

These voters won't be fooled again. Daschle's position at home has been greatly weakened. He may in fact be scared into retirement facing a Bush/Thune headwind on the top of the ticket in 2004.

[Coop]

Because Daschle conned thousands of Republicans into stupidly believing that voting for Johnson could preserve Daschle as the senate majority leader.

Some of those Republicans voted for Johnson because they like split government. And some voted for Johnson because they may be registered as Pubbies but they vote for Dems. That will not change in 2004, and Dasshole is more popular and more powerful than Johnson.

[Coop]

Because Daschle conned thousands of Republicans into stupidly believing that voting for Johnson could preserve Daschle as the senate majority leader.

Some of those Republicans voted for Johnson because they like split government. And some voted for Johnson because they may be registered as Pubbies but they vote for Dems. That will not change in 2004, and Dasshole is more popular and more powerful than Johnson.