Poll shows big Daschle lead

[Robbien]

By Denise Ross, Journal Staff Writer

Three-term incumbent Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., more than doubled his lead from six points to 13 points over former three-term Republican Congressman John Thune in the past six weeks, a poll shows.

Of 503 likely voters polled May 19 and 20, 52 percent said they were likely to vote for Daschle, 39 percent said they were likely to vote for Thune and 2 percent said they were likely to vote for Libertarian Bob Newland. Seven percent were undecided.

The poll was conducted by Zogby International of Utica, N.Y., for South Dakota media outlets, including the Rapid City Journal. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.

Daschle and Thune will face each other in the 2004 general election Nov. 2.

This most recent poll compares to a Zogby poll done in late March that showed Daschle at 48 percent and Thune at 43 percent. And it compares to a Mason-Dixon poll commissioned by two other South Dakota media outlets that showed a statistical dead heat with Daschle at 49 and Thune at 47.

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2004/05/25/front/top/news01.txt

so much for the Republican majority speaker throwing his weight around in a state he does not belong in.

[grasswire]

1. how exciting!!

Thanks for posting!

It means that Frist backfired.

[GreenGreenLimaBean]

12. Prediction: Frist is ousted as Senate Leader

after the election. This guy is white bread toast.

[fujiyama]

2. Good

Hope he wins his seat.

But steps down from his leadership position. He really sucks -- as maj or min leader.

[0007]

9. Glad you noticed!

[truthisfreedom]

3. i hope this irritates frist to no end. i hope that cat-killer loses sleep

and mumbles to himself. i hope all of the rethug congresspeeps are looking at themselves right now and thinking "man, i'm OWNED."

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

4. Great...

... I am a South Dakotan, and I cannot recall one initiative that Thune was successful on while serving in the House. I don't think too many other South Dakotans can, either. Nevermind that Thune has been a lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals in DC since losing to Tim Johnson D-SD in the 2002 Senate race.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

5. This sort of thing rarely works...

In most places, voters like their candidate to "be his own man" and not have to depend on the kindness of others. A popular incumbent at the national level might provide a boost in terms of turnout, and certainly visits from out-of-state "celebrities" can assist with fund-raising, but I doubt folks in South Dakota are going to vote for a candidate just because Bill Frist put in a few appearances.

[kstewart33]

6. Very curious

Another respected poll had this race neck-in-neck. Geez, I hope Zogby is right.

[yellowcanine]

13. Mason-Dixon polls seem to favor Pubbie candidates.

That other poll you talked about was a Mason-Dixon Poll. I don't know why, but I have noticed that they often seem to show the pubbie candidates in a better light than other polls. Might be something about how they do their sampling or analyze the numbers.

[dusty64]

7. Poll last week

had the race "tightening", wonder if the extreme right strongarm tactics are backfiring.

[Jacobin]

8. Gee, I guess they didn't like Frist campaigning against Daschle

Frist just pooped in his supper.

[Judi Lynn]

10. I hope the people in S.D. will recognize how low Frist has gone

to be the ONLY one in his position to have EVER done anything this unsportsmanlike, and will let him know they don't appreciate his trying to manipulate them for his own Party Ambition.

Shattering precedent, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist campaigned for the defeat of his Democratic counterpart on Saturday, depicting Sen. Tom Daschle as a polarizing figure at home and an obstructionist thwarting President Bush's agenda in Congress.
Former GOP Rep. John Thune "would be a perfect United States senator to serve the people of South Dakota," said Frist, standing next to Daschle's rival. Blending local concerns with national issues, he pledged to work with Thune to find a new mission for a nearby Air Force base threatened with closure.

...

In a reference to polls showing a competitive race between Daschle and Thune, the senator added, "It is rare to have the leader of a party ... not be very strongly supported by the people in their home state."
(snip)

http://daschlevthune.typepad.com/daschle_v_thune/2004/05/frist_zings_das.html

Pointless, silly man.


President George W. Bush shakes the hand of Congressman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., after signing the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003 in the East Room Wednesday, May 28, 2003. Also pictured are, from left, Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans, Secretary of the Treasury John Snow and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

[callous taoboy]

11. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HHHHAAAA!

HA!

[David__77]

I don't think he's in serious trouble.

I think that South Dakotans appreciate Daschle. The fact that he's Democratic leader does really help him in a state that wants influence for its issues. Thune would be a junior assistant lackey.

[MoonRiver]

14. This is great news! I thought it was going to be a squeaker for Daschle!!

Take back the Senate AND House!! :kick:

[Beetwasher]

15. It Would Be Amazing to Take the WH and the Senate!

I'm starting to get a wee bit optimistic!

[jburton]

16. Send Frist a thank you card!

Methinks South Dakotans aren't really impressed with an "outsider" like Frist telling them how to vote.