Daschle fighting for political life in re-election bid
VERMILLION, S.D. The Senate's top Democrat is facing the re-election fight of his life. The latest poll (by the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and KELO-TV) shows Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle is in a statistical dead heat with former congressman John Thune as Daschle seeks a fourth term.
Daschle leads Thune 49-to-47. The margin of error is three and-a-half points, meaning the race is a tossup.
At a community supper last night, Daschle once again highlighted his clout in Washington. He said it has allowed South Dakota to build highway and water projects and to benefit from ethanol production.
Even Republicans acknowledge the power Daschle wields. But Thune says it's time for a change, arguing that Daschle is out of touch with the majority of South Dakotans on social issues such as gay marriage, abortion and flag-burning.
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