SOUTH DAKOTA STRAIGHT TALK

 

With the announcements that he has reshaped his DASHPAC political action committee into a 2005 model and is making an appearance at some Iowa Democrat dinner, the self appointed political experts and observers are in hyperventilation and overdrive screeching – “He’s Back.”

This is not news, when did he ever leave?

What Tom Daschle is saying that he plans to be relevant. These actions are part of larger plan to reshape his image. Just yesterday, Tom Daschle announced he supports Judge John Roberts’ confirmation to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

In a previous post “Senatorial Scenario” back in July, I stated my reluctance to weight in with political candidacy speculations, my being reluctant to be thought the fool. Like the moth that cannot resist the flame, I still have thoughts about and speculation as to what Tom’s intentions are.

In July the common speculation that Daschle was looking at a 2010 rematch against John Thune. I did not believe that then and still do not today. If you subscribe to that theory, certainly Senator Thune’s sterling performance in removing Ellsworth AFB from the BRAC list has dismissed that notion.

I said that if Senator Daschle again becomes a candidate it would be for the US Senate in 2008! I still haven’t dismissed that idea for the reasons that were previously stated.

However examining the tealeaves and looking into my crystal ball (can you see a little wiggle here?) I think that while Daschle in promoting Presidential speculation to gain attention and raise money (perhaps he may become a candidate), the 2008 Senate race is still a possibility. Remember the filing deadline for Senate is after Super Tuesday.

What we might be seeing here is the embryo of a Vice Presidential candidacy. Elections are fascinating but even Tom Daschle who is an extremely effective piece of  machinery will not out perform Hillary Clinton, my odds on favorite to be the Dem nominee in 2008. Tom Daschle would be a very able and formidable addition to her ticket.

The bottom line is Tom Daschle is a player and he wants back in the starting lineup – somewhere!