Daschle won't run

Tom Daschle has announced that he won't run for the Democratic nomination in 2004. This plays to Dean's benefit. It seems doubtful that Lieberman or Gephardt will run either (and even if they do, they will fizzle out quickly). This really leaves only three names in the race: Dean, Kerry, and Edwards.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle announced Tuesday he won't seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 but will stay in his current job to help his party enact alternatives to President Bush's "failed economic policy."

The announcement surprised even some of his closest aides, one of whom told CNN plans were being made for Daschle to announce his candidacy Saturday in his hometown of Aberdeen, South Dakota The aide said he made up his mind after taking one last "gut check" Monday night.
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"The country is about to begin a series of defining debates about the future -- on economic policy, homeland security, and many other critical priorities," he said.

"Those debates will take place here in the U.S. Congress. And the U.S. Senate is the institution that can have the most influence on behalf of the values that Democrats believe in, and that I care about most.

"The United States Senate has the opportunity to shape the nation's priorities -- not just over the next two years, but for a generation and more," he said. "This afternoon, President Bush is proposing an economic plan that not only continues a failed economic policy that is wrong for the country now, but weakens our ability to meet America's great national challenges for years to come."