Daschle: Into Newt Territory?

Senate minority leader Tom Daschle may be feeling repercussions from his strong criticism of the war in Iraq. Daschle, who drew fire when he complained just before the war began that President Bush had "failed so miserably at diplomacy," has seen his national poll numbers drop. His unfavorable ratings have reached the high 30s in some polls--"Newt territory," in the words of a Republican strategist, a reference to fiery former House Speaker Gingrich.

Gingrich resigned as House Speaker after his party fared poorly in the 1998 elections. Now some Republicans, smelling blood, are urging former Representative John Thune--who barely lost a 2000 race against South Dakota's other Senator, Tim Johnson--to take on Daschle in 2004.

But unseating Daschle might be difficult. He has been re-elected by a wide margin twice and already has $2 million in the bank for the next campaign. Moreover, Democrats nationally are standing behind him. Daschle's dropping poll ratings, his aides argue, reflect negative feelings toward the Democratic Party, not Daschle himself. His aggressively partisan tone is also playing well in the party. "Daschle has made his office the center for the Democratic Party message," says a party operative. Even more important, Senate Democratic fund raising for the first quarter rose nearly 89% above the same period two years ago and, to the surprise of almost everyone, nearly kept pace with the G.O.P. effort. Daschle is getting much of the credit. --By Douglas Waller and Karen Tumulty