Daschle Breaks Another Promise

Remember how Daschle made a HUGE deal out of the fact that he demanded that out of state groups supporting him stay out of South Dakota? Well, the Democratic Senatorial Committee is now coming in, which shows that (1) the whole thing was a gimmick; (2) Daschle is in BIG trouble; and (3) that Daschle's promises are worthless--remember, as SDP notes, he said he controlled such groups when it was to his advantage to say so--when it isn't, he says something else.. Here's the Argus Leader story by Mike Madden:

The national Democratic Party is buying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of television ads in South Dakota, despite a pledge by Sen. Tom Daschle to keep outside allies off the airwaves. Daschle is trying furiously to fend off a challenge from Republican former Rep. John Thune, in a race so close that both sides agree it will be decided by which campaign does a better job of bringing its supporters to the polls next Tuesday.

For months, Daschle has blamed Thune for not stopping national Republicans and other groups that support him from advertising in South Dakota. Both Daschle and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which bought the new ads, have said the DSCC would not get involved in the ad war here.

Now Thune says the new Democratic Party ads show Daschle saying one thing at home and doing another in Washington.

"It's promises, promises," Thune said. "This is more of the same old Tom Daschle."

Officials at the DSCC did not return calls for comment. Daschle said he wished the committee would stay out, but that he would not be calling to try to stop the ads before they hit the airwaves.

This is EXACTLY what he demanded Thune do earlier in the year! And savagely attacking--even with TV ads--for not doing. Another new cynical low for Daschle. The article goes on:

Just over a week ago, New Jersey Democrat Jon Corzine, who runs the DSCC, told reporters he thought Daschle was faring well without the group's help.

"Senator Daschle has done all of his own fund-raising as opposed to leaning on the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee," Corzine said. "He's not been a burden at all, and in fact he has just been extraordinary in his willingness to lead and to make sure that he takes responsibility for his own campaign."

...

"Evidently, $20 million isn't enough," Thune said.

Daschle has raised more than $18 million for the campaign so far. Thune has raised $13 million.

The DSCC ads could neutralize one of Daschle's arguments against Thune, who had refused to join Daschle in a pledge to keep outside groups off the state's television sets. All along, Thune had said he couldn't control such groups and that they were likely to buy ads whether the candidates wanted them to or not.

"If (the DSCC) comes in and he doesn't stop it or is unable to stop it, then it... gives some fodder to his opponent," said University of South Dakota political science professor Bill Richardson.

Daschle has said Thune was responsible for ads the Republican Party bought. Now Thune says Daschle is responsible for the Democratic ads.

"I'm sure they'll all be positive," Thune said sarcastically.