A reader sends an article entitled "Daschle asks Native American not to run against him," which notes the following:
Giago, the publisher of the Lakota Journal, told Talon News that Daschle phoned him following his announcement and asked, "Do you want to be the Ralph Nader of this race?" Daschle was suggesting that Giago would siphon off enough traditionally Democratic votes to allow Republican challenger John Thune to win.
As we now know, Daschle induced Giago out of the race by giving his "word of honor" that he'd hold a meeting with tribal leaders in August to discuss high-profile issues, including, according to the Washington Post, the return of the Black Hills to the Sioux. Giago also said when he first entered the race that "neither of the candidates running for the Senate will address the Black Hills settlement question" and that it won't be settled "until a politician with the guts to address it emerges and introduces a bill in the Senate to give back some of the land in the Black Hills and the money to the people." Lakota Journal, January 16-23, 2004. After quitting the race after receiving Daschle's "word of honor," Giago said that “Every Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota will be shocked and surprised at some of the issues Senator Daschle will bring forth.” We now know that a meeting has been scheduled for September 25th. All this seems like a big deal, at least to me, yet all South Dakota newspapers are silent on the matter.
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