Kranz on Daschle Presidential Run

Daschle's old college "publicity chairman" Dave Kranz is writing about Daschle's possible run for President today:

Daschle for president?

Speaking at Iowa dinner

DAVID KRANZ

Former Sen. Tom Daschle set off speculation Tuesday that he might be interested in running for president in 2008.

Talk immediately began after his office released a statement saying he will keynote the Nov. 5 Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner in Des Moines.

"Many will speculate that this signifies that Tom is thinking about running for president, when in fact, that is not what this invitation is all about," said Steve Hildebrand, Daschle's spokesman.

Daschle has a long-standing working relationship with Sally Peterson, Iowa's lieutenant governor and state Democratic party leader, Hildebrand said.

"She wanted a powerful voice at the podium, and so she asked Tom to do that," he said.

Daschle is not ruling out a presidential bid, though, Hildebrand said.

"But he is very clear about it that chances for him doing that are very low," he said.

Daschle, a three-term senator and former Democratic majority and minority leader, entertained the idea of running for the nomination in 2004 but decided against it and instead sought re-election to the Senate. He was defeated by former Rep. John Thune, ending his 26 consecutive years of service in public office.

Politicos generally keep an eye on such visits by politicians to Iowa at this time of year because that is the home of the first presidential test, a political caucus.

Even if Daschle isn't thinking about running, he has to know what message it sends, says Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia School of Politics.

"The announcement sent tongues wagging out here that the Democrats may have another presidential candidate," he said.

The idea of a Daschle candidacy is unlikely, but possible, Sabato said.

"His whole adult life has been in politics. He has nearly 100 percent name ID among Democrats, and many Democrats are sad about his re-election defeat. So why not?"

Speaking at a high-profile Iowa event will make it hard to deny interest in a presidential bid, Sabato said.

"He knows very well that is an important signal. If you are not interested, you don't accept invitations like that," Sabato said.