This page is a class assignment at Davidson College. See below
PAYBACK, PURGING, OR BOTH?
Democrats should take care not to take for granted the re-election of three-term Senator Tom Daschle (D), who, as Senate Minority Leader, is second to John Kerry as the face of the Democratic Party. A recent poll conducted by the National Republic Senatorial Committee shows Daschle’s Republican challenger, Rep. John Thune, leading 50% to 48% among likely voters (Frontrunner 9/7/04). However, since this race operates as merely one of three important statewide races, its particular developments and dynamics cannot alone be considered as contributing to the result. Specifically, the race for the Presidency and the sole contest for the House feature such heightened hopes for payback that the party’s bases will surely turn out at very high levels. This is bad news for Tom Daschle and the Democrats.
Stephanie Herseth is South Dakota’s only congressional representative. The Democrat beat Republican challenger Larry Diedrich by only 3,005 votes in a June special election to replace Republican Larry Janklow (Kafka 8/30/04). Herseth had no prior political experience, save that which was already in her blood. Her grandfather had been Governor, her grandmother had been Secretary of State, and her father had been elected to the State Capitol for twenty years, culminating in a run for the governorship in 1986 (NOW 6/6/02). With the special election taking place only three months ago, Herseth has had little time to establish herself in the Congress. Eight-year State Senator Diedrich has had little more to attack his opponent on than this (Kafka 8/19/04).
Underscoring this race that features political politeness and small-town, old-fashioned campaigning, is retribution. Republicans want to see their party regain the seat from the 31-year-old, pro-choice and pro-gun female congressman who only narrowly beat the current candidate (Kranz). That the Republicans allowed Diedrich to fight again in the November election speaks volumes about their confidence in the success of their endeavor. Diedrich even spoke at the Republican National Convention (Kafka 8/30/04). Such ambition might not normally boost turnout levels across the State--for either party. However, the Presidential fight between John Kerry and George W. Bush displays enmity on the part of Democrats, who, remembering the election of 2000, insist that Bush does not deserve the Presidency. The debate is sure to energize both sides, and will almost certainly send greater numbers of voters to the polls. Scary for a Democratic party that trails the Republicans in registered voters by ten points and lost the Presidential vote by twenty-two points in 2000 (NJ 7/14/03). Tiny South Dakota, a solidly Republican State that inexplicably has allowed two Democrats to represent her in the United States Senate, will make international rumblings if she turns out Senator Daschle. The close House race and the fierce Presidential race have no small role in contributing to this possible outcome.
Created Sept. 9, 2004. Updated Sept. 10, 2004
