Ever since South Dakota Republican John Thune defeated then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in 2004, political observers have wondered how long it would take before another Senate Majority or Minority Leader lost a bid for re-election.
In 2008, Democrats tried to make Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky the next example. They hoped that a tough political environment for Republicans, a sinking economy, President George W. Bush’s unpopularity, and a Democratic nominee with deep pockets would combine to defeat McConnell. But, even with all those factors working in their favor, Democrats fell short and McConnell prevailed over Democratic businessman Bruce Lunsford, 53 percent to 47 percent.
In truth, there was a world of difference between the Daschle and McConnell races. Daschle hailed from a very red state where voters had always believed that he was a moderate. But, as Majority Leader, Daschle moved to the left, at least in Washington, defending some of the causes and legislative proposals that he had campaigned against in the past. Daschle had always walked a fine line on abortion, for example, but as Majority
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