Here are some observations from Marc Ambinder of The Hotline:
Leaving aside the plausibility question, is the former maj./min. leader, who heads to IA, NH and MI beginning June 9, a Gingrich-esque book-deal flirter? A Gore-esque monocausual promotion whiz?
Or is he soberly considering a bid for the presidency?
Based on what he's told his close friends, he's clenched-jaw serious.
And Daschle's decision will be guided, in part, on the results of the contested '06 primaries that Daschle, unlike most would-be '08ers, has waded into.
Daschle's PAC has contributed to candidates including VA's Webb (even Mark Warner won't back him yet), MT's Morrison, MN's Klobuchar, RI's Whitehouse, Gifford in AZ 08, Duckworth in IL 06 and Wilson in OH 06.
These nods could mean Daschle, having decided against '08, feels free taking risks. But if his candidates they win, Daschle's in chit city.
Dem funders, including Peter Buttenweiser and Ben Barnes are among the A-list names Daschle has consulted about a run.
Others more firmly in Daschle's corner -- should he decide to do something -- include Leo Hindery, who ran for DNC chair against Howard Dean, and Daschle's longtime finance guru, Cappy McGarr. He's also very close to ex-9/11 commiss/NE Sen. Bob Kerrey, currently the pres. of New School U.
As we've noted elsewhere, a large detachment of Daschle's political kitchen cabinet, including longtime communications aide Dan Pfeiffer and political strategist Anita Dunn, have decamped to other presidential teams.
His long-time chief of staff, Pete Rouse, serves in the same capacity for Sen. Barack Obama. And his former trusted spokesman Jay Carson now serves as Bill Clinton's comm. director.
So how will he run?
Based on the speeches he's given recently, a buzzword will probably be "security," broadly incorporating energy independence, national security interdependence, and health care.
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