Politics
Daschle gains narrow lead over Thune in South Dakota


Sen. Tom Daschle (D) has a 5-point lead over Republican challenger John Thune, according to a poll released on Sunday.

The race remains very tight but Daschle's lead has grown, according to poll results. In May, he was ahead by just 2 points.

The poll shows that more voters are viewing the candidates in a negative light. Thune's unfavorable rating grew from 23 percent in May to 34 percent while Daschle's grew from 33 percent to 37 percent.

Both Daschle and Thune are aggressively courting the Indian vote. In the last two major elections, Indian voters played a critical role in putting Democrats in office.

Get the Story:
Poll: Daschle widening lead against Thune (AP 9/27)
Daschle holds narrow lead (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 9/27)
Tight Race in S.D. Constrains Daschle (The Washington Post 9/27)

Related Stories:
Daschle's record an issue in tough re-election race (08/26)
Means says South Dakota GOP needs to do more (08/09)
CNN host unapologetic for Indian vote 'uproar' (1/12)
Tribal official says host hurts Republican Party (01/12)
CNN host accuses Indians of stealing Senate election (1/9)
Indian vote eyed in race between Thune, Daschle (1/7)
Indian voter fraud claims linger after election (12/10)
Indian votes helped Johnson (11/7)