The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 2 of 3)

Daschle, who has a book coming out shortly on the 2002 election and fights in Congress, has been raising money and even spending it on radio and TV spots in his home state of South Dakota, this despite the fact that the Republican Party has thus far failed to attract a top tier candidate to run against him. GOPers remain hopeful that they can persuade former Rep. John Thune, once thought to be a natural challenger to Daschle, to run against him.

But Daschle has surprised some party loyalists by declining the opportunity to bash the Bush administration over the economy, the Iraq war and the Wilson leak scandal, leaving those tasks to his deputy, Sen. Harry Reid.

As well, there are persistent rumors out of South Dakota that Daschle remains in hot water with the Catholic Church there for his political positions, and that the ongoing war of words between the bishop in Sioux Falls and Daschle's office may escalate to an embarrassing resolution for the Democrat.

Adding to Daschle's difficulties is the loss of former spokesman Jay Carson, who most likely would have filled a senior adviser role in any Daschle run. Carson walked away from Daschle to sign on with the campaign of Howie Dean, when Daschle chose not to run himself.

"We're worried about him," says a DNC political staffer. "If Daschle's heart isn't in this, and if he doesn't have the right people helping him, this could be long year for us. We need him focused and ready to get down and dirty. He doesn't look like he's ready at all for that."

p> SENATORIAL SAVIOR? br> Some Republicans in Washington and California continue to scratch their heads over the tight alliance formed between conservative Southern California Republican Rep. David Dreier and Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenneger . "I would not have expected David to be the one to emerge as the powerbroker in here," says a California member of the Republican National Committee. "But give him credit, the opportunity was there, and he took it." /p>

The question now is what Dreier intends to do with it. Dreier is viewed inside the House as an upper-tier leader, second only among California colleagues to Rep. Chris Cox, who heads the House Policy Committee and the Homeland Security Committee. But now that Dreier has played such a prominent role in knocking out California's Democratic establishment, it's unclear where he will go from here.

Some Republicans hope he will use the success of moderate Schawarzenneger to jump-start a Senate challenge to Barbara Boxer.

topics:
Harry Reid, Iraq, NATO