Speculation Grows over Rounds Senate Bid

[CPT MikeyMike]

It's very hard to argue that the only reason why the Republican Weld didn't win Massachusetts is that he was running for the Senate mid-term.

Things wouldn't have turned out differently if it was Bill Weld 1998.

I can sum it up in two words why Weld didn't win in 1996 - Paul Cellucci.

Many had a lot of distrust in Cellucci taking over for Weld because of his past finance problems. I know my mother would have voted for Weld if he didn't have Cellucci as his Lt. Governor. Many belived that Cellucci would be a terrible and corrupt governor.  Funny enough, Cellucci prooved that he could govern well when he took over for Weld about 9 months later.

Mr. Moderate - I was around there in '96 when he ran and that's the impression I got from that election - that and Clinton running for re-election. Feel free to discuss more of it with me if you wish.

[GOP = Terrorists]

You're an idiot.

We shall see.  If there is any serious challenge to Johnson there will be such ads I promise you.  Why?  Because thats how the GOP rolls.

[AndrewTX]

You're an idiot.

We shall see.  If there is any serious challenge to Johnson there will be such ads I promise you.  Why?  Because thats how the GOP rolls.

First of all, what idiot is going to run an add like that? It would only further the lead that Johnson has.  The GOP don't roll like that, neither do the Democrats.

 Oh well, I don't care. I just hope Johnson gets better, and runs for re-election. I like him.

[Sam Spade]

Historically, I have not seen much effect in Governors running for different offices (Senate or President), with maybe the possible type of exception MikeyMike mentioned.  Most voters generally don't care (and might not even know the guy is Governor in the first place).

That being said, this story sounds more like speculation without any real factual basis at all, a problem inherent with most political observers and certain posters at this site.

Neither is it certain that Sen. Johnson will return to run for office or will even return to office again.  Just because your raising money does not mean that you are running, especially under his present conditions.  I have not seen him in the Senate, nor have I seen him make an announcement.  It merely means he "might" run and is preparing as such. 

That being said, I do hope he gets better and recovers fully.  A decision whether to run again is his and his alone and will hopefully be made on a judgment of his abilities to serve in the office.  That is all we, as voters, can hope for.

[Rococo4]

Also, they want to save Herseth to run against John Thune, they don't want to use her now. They won't have anyone else to run statewide against Thune in SD. That's why they need Johnson now.

I doubt that .......if the seat is Open they (including Herseth) will go with the best candidate for the open seat not challenging an incumbent.

[Rococo4]

People really don't care, Scoonie.  Do you think New Mexico voters are angry with Richardson leaving in the beginning of his term to run for President?

Probably a little bit, although I think most knew it was a distinct possibility.

I would assume you would be upset with Clinton or Obama for abandoning their states in the middle of their Senate terms as well

[MarkWarner08]

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds' (R) recent over-night visit at the White House has fueled speculation that he will run for Senate in 2008, reports the Argus Leader.

"As time creeps toward 2008 more and more Democrats and Republicans think" Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) will "finish his term next year but not seek re-election to a third term."

"At this point, Rounds is the only name that national Republicans would feel completely comfortable with on the ticket. He is highly popular, and his presence on the ticket would make it tough for Democrats, other than Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, to hold the seat

http://politicalinsider.com/2007/04/speculation_grows_over_rounds.html

Can someone tell me why Stephanie Herseth married Max Sandlin? Couldn't she have married someone like Rep. Anthony Wiener, who's still in Congress and is single?

[MarkWarner08]

It's very hard to argue that the only reason why the Republican Weld didn't win Massachusetts is that he was running for the Senate mid-term.

Things wouldn't have turned out differently if it was Bill Weld 1998.

I can sum it up in two words why Weld didn't win in 1996 - Paul Cellucci.

Many had a lot of distrust in Cellucci taking over for Weld because of his past finance problems. I know my mother would have voted for Weld if he didn't have Cellucci as his Lt. Governor. Many belived that Cellucci would be a terrible and corrupt governor.  Funny enough, Cellucci prooved that he could govern well when he took over for Weld about 9 months later.

Mr. Moderate - I was around there in '96 when he ran and that's the impression I got from that election - that and Clinton running for re-election. Feel free to discuss more of it with me if you wish.

Are most Mass. voters educated enough to worry about the possible corruption of their Lt. Gov? Most voters know more about American Idol than American Politics. I'd guess Clinton's coattails, Kerry's debate performance and the unpopularity of Gingrich Republicans in the Northeast were greater factors than Paul Cellucci.

[Keystone Phil]

Can someone tell me why Stephanie Herseth married Max Sandlin? Couldn't she have married someone like Rep. Anthony Wiener, who's still in Congress and is single?

...she loved someone Max?

Just a hunch.

[WalterMitty]

obviously id support a rounds candidacy.

sd deserves a full time senator.

what is larry pressler doing these days, by the way?

[Keystone Phil]

what is larry pressler doing these days, by the way?

Still liking the sound of "Senator Pressler"...

http://www.larrypressler.com/

[WalterMitty]

what is larry pressler doing these days, by the way?

Still liking the sound of "Senator Pressler"...

http://www.larrypressler.com/

i still dont understand how he lost in 96.

(waiting for bandit to come raise hell about the telecommunications act)

[Adlai Stevenson]

obviously id support a rounds candidacy.

sd deserves a full time senator.

what is larry pressler doing these days, by the way?

They have and will continue to have a full-time Senator in Tim Johnson, who has unfortunately suffered from cancer as well as other health problems.  Is Rounds a full-time Governor; do you see restricting women's freedom of choice over their own body as full-time?  I am not sure the people of South Dakota would wholeheartedly agree with you. 

[WalterMitty]

obviously id support a rounds candidacy.

sd deserves a full time senator.

what is larry pressler doing these days, by the way?

They have and will continue to have a full-time Senator in Tim Johnson, who has unfortunately suffered from cancer as well as other health problems.  Is Rounds a full-time Governor; do you see restricting women's freedom of choice over their own body as full-time?  I am not sure the people of South Dakota would wholeheartedly agree with you. 

how many votes has johnson cast this session?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

What the hell should the guy do? He'll be voting once he recovers. Attacking him for no votes now is pretty low.

[Kevin]

What the hell should the guy do? He'll be voting once he recovers. Attacking him for no votes now is pretty low.

He may opt to retire in 08 though, Which is possible given his health.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Then he'd have no reason to be raising money.

[Keystone Phil]

Is Rounds a full-time Governor; do you see restricting women's freedom of choice over their own body as full-time?  

Wow, thanks, hack.

[Rococo4]

Is Rounds a full-time Governor; do you see restricting women's freedom of choice over their own body as full-time?  

Wow, thanks, hack.

his quote doesnt even make sense in the context of the argument.  Anyways, I really wonder if Johnson will run again.

[Verily]

Is Rounds a full-time Governor; do you see restricting women's freedom of choice over their own body as full-time?   

Wow, thanks, hack.

his quote doesnt even make sense in the context of the argument.  Anyways, I really wonder if Johnson will run again.

It's increasingly obvious that he will, and I believe he even a made a statement to that effect about a month ago.

[HardRCafé]

Was it more like Hillary's insistence she was not interested in the presidency, or Obama's insistence 2008 was way too soon to seek the presidency?