SD-Sen: Former Sen. Larry Pressler considering Independent run

[publicunofficial]

Source

If I were the DCCC, I could get behind Pressler. He was a Republican when he was in office, but is practically a Democrat by today's standards and endorsed Obama both times.


That being said, there's plenty of reasons why Pressler lost re-election in 1997.

Why did Pressler lose reelection in 1996?

He seemed to be a pretty good Senator and advocate after all.

From what I understand, Pressler only lost because Tim Johnson was his opponent.

[windjammer]

If Weiland could win with his help...

[LeBron]

If Pressler runs, then Weiland might actually stand a pretty good shot. He's only trailing by 6 and Rounds already has to deal with the Libertarian who's stealing votes from him (which is ultimately why Johnson even won re-election in 2002) and if this guy runs, it could be a race.

Weiland still has my endorsement, but he needs to take advantage of this. He can't bet on getting an easy ride with Rhoden because he probably won't.

[free my dawg]

If Pressler runs, then Weiland might actually stand a pretty good shot. He's only trailing by 6 and Rounds already has to deal with the Libertarian who's stealing votes from him (which is ultimately why Johnson even won re-election in 2002) and if this guy runs, it could be a race.

Weiland still has my endorsement, but he needs to take advantage of this. He can't bet on getting an easy ride with Rhoden because he probably won't.

Not really.

*That poll was pretty junky, a quasi-internal, and pre-"keep your plan" anyways. Things have definitely changed.
*Even if the poll isn't junk, more olds (who are more likely to remember the good things Pressler's done like busting Abscam) are voting for Weiland by a 5% margin anyway. This could help him in that category, but not by as much as you'd think.
*Although Rounds isn't exactly much of a conservative economically, the libertarian is not getting 11% of the vote.

[Tayya]

Also, from what I've heard, Pressler has shifted a bit to the left and will probably run as a quixotic moderate populist that might steal as many votes from Weiland.

[Donerail]

If Crist runs, then Meek might actually stand a pretty good shot. He's only trailing by 6 and Rubio already has to deal with the Libertarian who's stealing votes from him (which is ultimately why Martinez even won re-election in 2004) and if this guy runs, it could be a race.

Your resident Floridian popping in to remind you what happened last time a no-name Dem went up against a well-known R and a well-known moderate independent.

Also, from what I've heard, Pressler has shifted a bit to the left and will probably run as a quixotic moderate populist that might steal as many votes from Weiland.

He voted for Obama twice and campaigned for him in 2012. He also signed a pro-gay marriage amicus brief in Hollingsworth v. Perry.

[Maxwell]

Pressler isn't going to get outside of the teens at best.

[J.G.H.]

If Pressler runs, then Weiland might actually stand a pretty good shot. He's only trailing by 6 and Rounds already has to deal with the Libertarian who's stealing votes from him (which is ultimately why Johnson even won re-election in 2002) and if this guy runs, it could be a race.

The Libertarian has dropped out, citing the costs of getting 250 signatures from registered Libertarians (http://www.capjournal.com/news/libertarian-kurt-evans-ends-senate-run/article_e1302a82-6934-11e3-9447-0019bb2963f4.html)  He did say he will run in 2016, though. Lol.

[free my dawg]

I mean the best we can do is cross our fingers and pray Rhoden wins.

[Rocky Rockefeller]

I mean the best we can do is cross our fingers and pray Rhoden wins.

Even then nothing is guaranteed.

[badgate]

Pressler has announced.


Argus Leader Pressler on his announcement to run for senate: 'I will win.'
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20131226/NEWS/312260036/Pressler-his-announcement-run-Senate-intend-win-


Some highlights:

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That author's twitter feed has many more quotes:

https://twitter.com/ArgusMontgomery

[Rocky Rockefeller]

endorsed

[International Brotherhood of Bernard]

I'll support him, but only because Weiland doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

[Niemeyerite]

Yes!!! A candidate both liberals and libertarians can endorse !!!

[morgieb]

Endorsed.

[publicunofficial]

Former Republican State Senator Gordon Howie will run as an Independent if Mike Rounds wins the R primary.


For those keeping track at home, the general will now likely be one Republican, a moderate Republican turned Independent, a conservative Republican turned Independent, and a Democrat that STILL has no chance at victory. If SHS or Brendan Johnson had actually ran, it's entirely possible Democrats could've held this seat with a plurality.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

If the senate does end up deadlocked, wildcard races are runoffs in La, Ga and Mnt, SD, and possibly ME.

[Gertrude26]

Former Republican State Senator Gordon Howie if Mike Rounds wins the R primary.


For those keeping track at home, the general will now likely be one Republican, a moderate Republican turned Independent, a conservative Republican turned Independent, and a Democrat that STILL has no chance at victory. If SHS or Brendan Johnson had actually ran, it's entirely possible Democrats could've held this seat with a plurality.

What do you think the % breakdown will be?

I think Rounds will win but I don't know how much.  Unfortunately, Rasmussen didn't include Larry Pressler on its last poll.

[MadmanMotley]

FF would vote for.

[publicunofficial]

Former Republican State Senator Gordon Howie if Mike Rounds wins the R primary.


For those keeping track at home, the general will now likely be one Republican, a moderate Republican turned Independent, a conservative Republican turned Independent, and a Democrat that STILL has no chance at victory. If SHS or Brendan Johnson had actually ran, it's entirely possible Democrats could've held this seat with a plurality.

What do you think the % breakdown will be?

I think Rounds will win but I don't know how much.  Unfortunately, Rasmussen didn't include Larry Pressler on its last poll.

If I were to guess, it'd be something like:

Mike Rounds - 55%
Rick Weiland - 37%
Larry Pressler - 6%
Gordon Howie - 1%

I don't think Rounds gives conservatives enough gripes for them to back Howie in large numbers, besides the fact that Rounds is the "establishment" pick (Which these days pretty much just means "He's the frontrunner"). Pressler probably takes more from Weiland than Rounds.