Herseth's Future

Dave Kranz:

Herseth's future?

Before the latest update on Sen. Tim Johnson's condition came last week, I had talked of conversation in political circles about who runs in 2008 if he decides not to.

Low-key but consistent discussions among Democrats usually center on U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth as the likely and only candidate.

Over the past few weeks, though, the one most consistent counter to that comes from credible politicos who know Herseth best.

They put it simply. She's not about to jump on that bandwagon. She's not interested in being a U.S. senator. And when the day comes that she wants to do something else, she would prefer to run for governor.

Skeptics are amused about that possibility, saying former U.S. Rep. Max Sandlin, her husband-to-be, would not like to live in Pierre.