Victory in South Dakota

Beginning November 3 rd, the day after the 2004 election analysis about the campaigns began. John Thune beat Senate minority leader Tom Daschle with a 4,535 vote margin, receiving 51% to Daschle’s 49% (Welch). The race held national import as the Bush administration wished to oust Daschle form office. The candidates both spent vast amounts of money for a sparsely populated state, totaling almost $36 per person (Netstate.com).

Thune framed the campaign, which enabled him to focus on information where he had the advantage. He used his advertisements, as well as third party ads, to attack and define Daschle’s character while promoting his own. He convinced the constituents that Daschle was out of touch with South Dakota values and people. He did this through several ads including Common Sense and In His Own Words (JohnThune.com). With the help of interest groups he defined Daschle as an obstructionist to the Bush administration. In a state heavily supportive of Bush, unwillingness to help the the administration was unfavorable (Abrahms and CNN.com). In an exit poll 75% of those who approved of the Bush administration voted in favor of Thune (CNN.com).

South Dakota's desire for balanced party representation has also been attributed to Daschle's loss ("Why Did Thune Win" Lauck). This theory has less credibility. South Dakota is a conservative state with 47% of the citizens as registered republicans. The democrats make up 32% of the constituents, giving cause for equal party representation (Lauck and CNN.com). While Senator Tim Johnson is a democrat as well, he and Daschle have both served since 1996. (TomDaschle.com and Johnson.senate.gov). In the house challenger Larry Diedrich (R) lost the congressional election for the second time to democrat Stephanie Herseth (Babington and Eilperin).

Over the course of the campaign the initial positions of the candidates should not change. Alteration in position reflects the influence of outside pressures, and not the candidate’s own opinions. The candidates faired differently on allowing interest group involvement. Thune refused to sign a pledge which he had proposed asking 527s not to run ads in South Dakota . Daschle signed the pledge in June, and wrote to over 130 groups forestalling their involvement (Glazer). His ad "Got to Stop" criticizes Thune for not following suit (TomDaschle.com). Thune in fact encouraged supporters to become involved. In August he welcomed over $3 million worth of air time purchased by these groups (Glazer and TomDaschle.com). Thune needed the money from these groups to challenge Daschle, but in foregoing to sign a pledge he proposed showed inconsistent principles.

Victory and Its Costs in South Dakota