The American Spectator

p> STAYING IN THUNE br> Democratic Senator Tim Johnson found himself winning his South Dakota seat — at least temporarily — with a 527-vote margin over Republican John Thune . But all of that could change in the next few days. If, after vote canvassing is completed and formalized on November 11, Johnson’s margin of apparent victory remains at the current 0.15%, Thune can request a recount. If Johnson’s margin of victory should grow to over 0.25% of the vote, Thune most likely would have to go the court route. Already, the Republican National Committee has sent out a team of observers to ensure Thune’s staff is ready for what could shape up into a critical fight. /p>

On Wednesday, Thune was taking a cautious tone. Regardless of this race’s outcome, he’s considered a strong GOP contributor in the future. “We don’t want him to burn too many bridges back home,” says an RNC staffer. “There’s no doubt he’ll be running for political office again.”

Critical to any Thune recount will be Todd and Milette Counties, where polling places opened an hour earlier than prescribed by South Dakota law. As well, the Rosebud Indian Reservation is in Todd County, and already there is a federal investigation into how Democratic Party operatives registered voters on several South Dakota reservations and collected absentee ballots. Johnson did surprisingly well in both Todd and Milette.

One thing running against a Thune victory is that congressional races in South Dakota have traditionally been close. Both Johnson and Daschle have won by narrow margins in the past.

p> THE KEATING FIGHT CONTINUED br> Oklahoma’s soon to be ex- Gov. Frank Keating