Thune will challenge probably Daschle

http://www.argusleader.com/news/Sundayarticle5.shtml

Former Republican U.S. Rep. John Thune will announce his political future Monday night, but there seems to be little doubt about what he will do.

Thune will make the announcement at Lincoln County's Lincoln Day Dinner in Sioux Falls.

Several of the former congressman's good friends in the state say he has decided to challenge Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

National Republicans have been playing a lead role in encouraging Thune to run. One of those top-level operatives in Washington said last week that he feels comfortable their mission is accomplished.

Jiminy cricket.

and tells him "Sit down, shut up, and go the fuck away".

And finally grows a spine with the Dean administration.

Hawkeye-X

He couldn't even beat Johnson, who was a much weaker candidate. What makes him think he can beat Daschle, who is always re-elected by huge margins?

Pierre, South Dakota, January 5, 2004 -- Former Congressman John Thune announced today that despite much anticipation to the contrary, he would not seek the seat held by Senator Thomas Daschle.

Citing an increasingly acute apprehension of a nationwide Democratic sweep of all three branches of government, Mr. Thune told reporters at a Pierre diner, "There's no way I'm backing my ass into THAT buzzsaw!"

Party officials in South Dakota expressed dismay that no one has emerged to serve as the Republican candidate against the incumbent.

"Of course, you can't very well blame them," said one official, speaking on grounds of anonymity. "Bush has made too many calamitous mistakes both domestically and in foreign policy, and frankly, we're going to get our butts kicked."

This reporter made attempts to reach Karl Rove, the White House's senior political strategist, for his reaction to Mr. Thune's withdrawal, but a taped message on Mr. Rove's phone line simply uttered a profane remark about Mr. Thune. We are not at liberty to disclose the taped remarks owing to libel laws, but we can say that farm animals were referenced.

Thune's friends and family who had assembled in the Pierre diner for Mr. Thune's announcement expressed a dismissive nonchalance at the news. "We still like ol' John," one unnamed relative said, "but he's dumber than a bag of hammers. It's just as well he stayed out of politics if you ask me."

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no link because this is just for fun