Sen. Tim Johnson signals possible retirement

[krazen1211]

http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/sen-tim-johnson-signals-possible-retirement-84640.html


“If I run again, I will run a strong campaign is what I meant. But only if I run again, and it’s far too soon to make that statement,” the 65-year-old Johnson said, according to the Associated Press.

Following former GOP Gov. Mike Rounds’ entry into the contest, Johnson issued a statement saying he intended to put together “a winning campaign in the weeks and months ahead.”



Good news.

[tmthforu94]

We already have a thread where this is being discussed.

[Franzl]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

[Vosem]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Byron Dorgan's?

[Svensson]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

[Abolish ICE]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

I'm pretty sure Tim Johnson is a Democrat.

[Svensson]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

I'm pretty sure Tim Johnson is a Democrat.

He would hardly count as a viable state Democrat if he retired, now would he?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

There is a possibility of some prominent Democrat not in office pulling Heitkamp (Herseth comes to mind as she remained significantly popular), but you're right SD Republican bench, even without Rounds, is impressive. ND Republican bench was quite poor and they already elected their strongest guy in 2010 (Hoeven would defeat Jesus himself).

[Abolish ICE]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

I'm pretty sure Tim Johnson is a Democrat.

He would hardly count as a viable state Democrat if he retired, now would he?

No, but Matt McGovern would.

[Mehmentum]

If Tim Johnson retires, my hope is that Stephanie Herseth Sandlin runs.  I don't know of any other strong Democrats in SD, but she lost by a fairly close margin in 2010, which I hope means she could win in a neutral year. 

[Vosem]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

I'm pretty sure Tim Johnson is a Democrat.

He would hardly count as a viable state Democrat if he retired, now would he?

No, but Matt McGovern would.

Brendan Johnson (current U.S. Attorney for South Dakota) or Stephanie Sandlin (ex-U.S. Representative) certainly both would, but I'm unsure how popular the McGovern name is in South Dakota.

[Negusa Nagast 🚀]

Sandlin is probably our best bet here. Take the Heitkamp playbook and run with it.

[Abolish ICE]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Berg was a dud first-term congressman with the charisma of a thumbtack who took the race for granted in a Presidential year. Rounds, on the other hand, is a popular former governor running in a state with no Democrats left.

Your point?

I'm pretty sure Tim Johnson is a Democrat.

He would hardly count as a viable state Democrat if he retired, now would he?

No, but Matt McGovern would.

Brendan Johnson (current U.S. Attorney for South Dakota) or Stephanie Sandlin (ex-U.S. Representative) certainly both would, but I'm unsure how popular the McGovern name is in South Dakota.

He is already a statewide officeholder and has been talked about as a possible candidate for the House.

[RogueBeaver]

Different climate against a first-rate opponent. SHS of all people knows this, that's why she lost in 2010.

[Mehmentum]

Different climate against a first-rate opponent. SHS of all people knows this, that's why she lost in 2010.

Well, if 2014 is another 2010, then of course the Democrats will loose this seat (along with a lot of others).  I doubt it will though, it should be a fairly neutral year unless there is huge economic growth or another recession.

[CountryRoads]

Remember that retirement in North Dakota..,and what "great news" that was for Republicans?

Rick Berg is a POS, I don't think many people thought he'd be this bad of a candidate. Mike Rounds is pretty much a more right wing version of John Hoeven.

If SHS runs, however, it's not a safe pick up for Repubs. Or worse, if Kristi Noem (for whatever reason) runs against Rounds.

FWTW, I like Noem, but she's not ready for a Senate race yet.