You Can Help Make Tom Daschle a Realtor

DClark passed this Talon news story on to me tonight. I have heard tall John Thune speak many times. In a way I am glad he lost in 2002 so he can go toe to toe with Tom and have sent him a few checks to help both John Thune's campaign and Tom on his road to realty success. You would beam with joy knowing you helped Tom fulfill his realtor dream if you contribute as well. The reality of helping Tom become a realtor is upon us with the news in that Tom is now behind by 3 points, and has been trying to have it both ways by using ads that show him embracing The President. Sorry Tom, you had 3 good years to make a play like Zell Miller. Too little too late—oh, and yeah you have been an obstructionist ass for the last several years as minority and majority leader. SDPolitics is another great source for up to the minute changes. And at Powerline, Rocket Man also notes this development with a post headlined "Thune Charges Into Lead."

Poll: Thune Edges Past Daschle in South Dakota By Jeff Gannon Talon News September 1, 2004

NEW YORK (Talon News) -- An internal poll shows that Rep. John Thune (R-SD) has gained enough momentum to pass Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) in the most closely watched Senate race of 2004. The Republican numbers indicate that Thune is moving up in the polls and is at or near 50% while the incumbent remains stalled at 48%.

National Senatorial Committee Chairman Sen. George Allen (R-VA) announced the new numbers at a breakfast for South Dakota's delegates to the Republican National Convention on Tuesday. He told delegates that South Dakotans have the ability to "transform the United States Senate" by replacing Daschle with Thune.

Allen praised the "early enthusiasm" shown by South Dakota Republicans as the key to convincing Thune to challenge Daschle. He said that Thune would be the kind of senator that would have the same positions both at home and in Washington, DC.

The NRSC chairman's remarks included a shot at Daschle, who has often been criticized for appearing to be a conservative in South Dakota, but promoting a liberal agenda in the Senate. Allen said that Thune "won't be carrying the water for Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton."

He ticked off a list of legislative initiatives that have been stymied by Daschle's obstruction by use of the filibuster. Included on the list were energy policy, tort reform and judicial nominees. On the subject of judges, Allen said that Daschle was blocking qualified nominees to the courts that would "apply the law, not invent the law."

Thune took the podium following Allen's comments and reiterated the list of important items that have been trapped in "Daschle's dead zone." He said that the defeat of the leader of the obstructionist minority would send a clear signal about the price of obstructionist tactics. He said that by retiring Daschle, "We will break their will."

<>An upbeat and hopeful Allen told South Dakota Republican Party Chairman Randy Frederick that South Dakota would "be the MVP state" if it would deliver Thune to the Senate. Republican Gov. Mike Rounds pledged that Republicans would be "ambassadors for President Bush and John Thune."

Campaign Manager Dick Waddams told Talon News that the new polling data shows that the Daschle campaign has been "propped up" by $10 million worth of ads that have been running for more than a year.

Waddams said, "Once we went on the air we brought it back up even."

The new polls indicate a positive response to Thune's ads that only recently began to air.

Thune told Talon News, "From where we started and to get to this point, our plan is right on track."

He added, "There is a lot of clock left in this game and the numbers point out Daschle's vulnerability."

Thune said that the polls also say that voters' belief in Daschle's clout appears to be in decline and a growing doubt about his connection to the values held by South Dakotans.

<>One of the places where the Republican challenger is making strides is among Native Americans. Shannon County Republican Party Chairman Bruce Whalen told Talon News, "We're already seeing some vote switching when John makes appearances on the reservations." <>Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, suggested that Native Americans wrongly believe that they owe their vote to Daschle for his many pronouncements of support.
He said, "After 24 years, where's the help and the positive change?"

Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.