Speculation Grows over Rounds Senate Bid

[Adlai Stevenson]

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

[Kevin]

Excellent!

[Mr.Phips]

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

Why should the White House be involved in this?  Bush isn't even going to be in the White House after 2008.  This is likely another violation of the Hatch Act.  The White House is not allowed to influence elections for other branches of government.   That is what campaign committees are for.

[bullmoose88]

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

Why should the White House be involved in this?  Bush isn't even going to be in the White House after 2008

Bush trying to salvage something out of his sh**tty presidency?

[TheresNoMoney]

I have a hard time believing that any Republican can beat Tim Johnson. Johnson historically has had a 70% approval rating and is coming back from brain surgery (sympathy factor).

Also, John Thune couldn't beat Johnson back in 2002 (whent he political environment for Republicans was at its peak). Why do people think that Rounds would beat Johnson in 2008 (when the politican environment for Republicans will be bad)?

[Verily]

Governors visit the White House all the time to ask for more money for their state or for attention to some local issue the state government should be able to deal with by itself. I don't see why this suggests that Rounds will run for Senate.

[TheresNoMoney]

Rounds would also have to leave the governor's office midterm, and I doubt voters would appreciate him leaving the job he was elected to do.

[GOP = Terrorists]

The GOP will no doubt run ads saying that Johnson is heavily disabled now regardless if he actually is.  I mean it is the GOP they'd shot their mothers in the face with a shotgun for a single extra vote.

[SPC]

Could Rounds be considering a presidential bid?

[Kevin]

The GOP will no doubt run ads saying that Johnson is heavily disabled now regardless if he actually is.  I mean it is the GOP they'd shot their mothers in the face with a shotgun for a single extra vote.

I'm getting sick of your partisan hackery!

[CPT MikeyMike]

Rounds would also have to leave the governor's office midterm, and I doubt voters would appreciate him leaving the job he was elected to do.

Proof: Bill Weld 1996.

[Verily]

Could Rounds be considering a presidential bid?

The Chief Zealot of South Dakota running for President? LOL

[© tweed]

He wouldn't beat Johnson and his 70% approval rating anyway.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Thune was more popular than Rounds and he couldn't beat Johnson. And the sympathy factor clinches it now.

Rounds isn't going to run.

[Kevin]

Thune was more popular than Rounds and he couldn't beat Johnson. And the sympathy factor clinches it now.

Rounds isn't going to run.

What if Johnson doesn't run again.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Max Baucus is raising money for him. Schumer counts him as in. He's recovering fine. He's running.

[Keystone Phil]

and I doubt voters would appreciate him leaving the job he was elected to do.

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard and you know it is outrageous.

[TheresNoMoney]

That is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard and you know it is outrageous.

No, it's not outrageous at all. Leaving your post as governor mid-term to run for another office is not something that would be a positive.

[Keystone Phil]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

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?

[TheresNoMoney]

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.

[Keystone Phil]

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.

Who cares if they knew about it or not? Your point was they are pissed off about it in general. They really wouldn't care.

[GOP = Terrorists]

I'm getting sick of your partisan hackery!

And I'm getting sick of your support for a terrorist organization.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

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.

[AndrewTX]

The GOP will no doubt run ads saying that Johnson is heavily disabled now regardless if he actually is.  I mean it is the GOP they'd shot their mothers in the face with a shotgun for a single extra vote.

You're an idiot.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Rounds would also have to leave the governor's office midterm, and I doubt voters would appreciate him leaving the job he was elected to do.

Proof: Bill Weld 1996.

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.