Tom Daschle Sues Opponent John Thune

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Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle sued his opponent, John Thune, and the GOP in federal court tonight, asking a judge to stop what Democrats call intimidation of Native American voters in Tuesday’s election.

In a complaint filed late this afternoon, Daschle asked U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Piersol to keep 200 Republican monitors from engaging in a list of activities at polling places across South Dakota, including writing down license plate numbers and taking notes.

The Daschle-Thune election should be a fair one, the lawsuit reads. The conduct of Republican Thune supporters will make it an unfair one, unless restrained by this court.

Daschle is depending on heavy turnout from Native American voters, who overwhelmingly support him over Thune, to win what is expected to be an extremely close election.

Thune aides said the lawsuit was an outrage.

Unbelievably, they are trying to exclude Republican poll watchers from watching the process, said Dick Wadhams, Thune’s campaign manager. He thinks he’s going to lose this seat.

Daschle charges that GOP poll watchers have been crowding voters in Lake Andes and making notes as they voted, writing down license plate numbers of Native American voters and loudly discussing other Native Americans who have been prosecuted for voter fraud.

South Dakota Republican Party executive director Jason Glodt said he did not believe GOP operatives were doing any such thing.

That’s what Demorats do. Always playing the race card.

Daschle must be desperate to keep his senate seat.

Daschle sues Thune in federal court
http://www.argusleader.com/breaking/Mondayfeature.shtml

Courtroom Update on Daschle’s lawsuit
http://daschlevthune.typepad.com/daschle_v_thune/

Related stories:

Daschle Struggles to Retain His Seat
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20...2453-1835r.htm

Dirty Tricks by the Daschle Campaign
http://powerlineblog.com/archives/008421.php

South Dakota Politics November 1, 2004 - November 7, 2004
http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com...ml#a0002601670