Frist Visit to South Dakota

Reuters now has another story about the Frist visit:

Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist plans to break recent tradition and campaign next month against Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle on Daschle's home turf of South Dakota.

Senate leaders have long been reluctant to campaign against each other. Their chamber is seen as a chummy place where cooperation is often essential.

Yet with Republicans holding a slim Senate majority that has resulted in much partisan gridlock, Frist decided to go to South Dakota to try to bring down Daschle, his top Democratic rival.

...

The Senate historian's office said it could not recall another case in the past half century where one Senate leader has campaigned against another on the rival's home turf.

...

Daschle is in jeopardy of becoming the first Senate leader to be defeated since 1952 when Democrat Ernest McFarland of Arizona was unseated by Republican Barry Goldwater.

Lots of history in these Frist stories! Nothing makes DVT happier!