Well, consider this. (1.)Tom Daschle is going to have to run for office again in the near future. (2.)The only way to beat an incumbent is to have some one with big name recognition in through out the state. (3.)What name is most likely to be remebered by the voters? (4.)Do you want the voters to remember a gentleman or to remember a guy that started a loosing pissing contest?
There are much bigger fish to be caught than the current Senate seat, since the Repubs have a small majority anyway.
Just be a little patient here and you'll be grinning from ear to ear in a couple of years.