Daschle's Thinking About Thinking About It...
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Ex-Sen. Maj. Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) will visit three early primary states next month with the expressed intention of assessing his chances for a '08 primary bid.
The AP reports that Daschle will be in IA, NH and MI as part of his "thoughtful consideration" of a presidential campaign.
Per the AP: "Daschle said he will be traveling to states to "sound out presidential themes, talk to voters and get a sense of what kind of a reception I might be getting." He also will be campaigning for local candidates."
In the interview, Daschle speaks admiringly of Hillary Clinton.
Since November, Daschle has visited Iowa twice.
In a sign that at least some Democrats do not take his presidential aspirations seriously, his invitation to speak at the state party's Jefferson Jackson dinner last year was tendered in part to not offend the half dozen Democrats who are actively seeking the presidential nomination.
Daschle's PAC, New Leadership For America, has contributed tens of thousands to Democratic candidates. Daschle is gainfully employed as a consultant to a major Washington lobby/law firm and is also a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.
Daschle's chief consultant is Steve Hildebrand. Another long-time adviser, Anita Dunn, is putting together the presidential bid of Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN).
Long considered a likely candidate for '04, Daschle was on the verge of running before a late night case of the willies changed his mind literally hours before a scheduled announcement. [MARC AMBINDER]
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