DC Democrats Think Daschle Might Lose

From Judy Woodruff's INSIDE POLITICS last night on CNN (September 13, 2004):

JUDY WOODRUFF: Separately, Bob, whatever happens in the presidential, what are Democrats saying about their hopes in the Senate?

BOB NOVAK: Well, you know, if -- since many of them are going to say it's more likely than not that Senator Kerry will lose, that means that they would have to win 51 instead of just 50 seats to win control of the Senate since they -- Cheney would stay as vice president. That means a very tough hill to climb.

They would have to win tough states like Colorado and Oklahoma where there are now Republican Senators, besides holding southern states like Louisiana, North Carolina, and Florida.

And don't forget -- and the Democrats I talked to here in Washington are very worried about South Dakota, where the Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle is actually a point or two behind in the polls, and the Republicans are reputed to be ready to throw in big money against Tom Daschle in the next few days.

Word has it that Senators Harry Reid and Chris Dodd are taking steps to line up votes to become the new Democratic leader in the Senate.