Even Democratic leaning commentators think this could backfire on Tim Johnson

Posted by PP at the SDWC

August 8, 2008

The Associated Press is reporting on Tim Johnson conceding debates, and one commentator, SDSU’s retiring Political Science Chair, a former Democratic legislative candidate himself, points out that this could leave a cloud hanging over whether Johnson can do the job:

Bob Burns, retired head of the South Dakota State University Political Science Department, said Johnson’s campaign strategists must have believed this was the best move for their candidate.

“He does not want to put himself in a position where voters might begin to question his ability to be a strong lawmaker, and the fewer public appearances he has with extended speech requirements, probably the better it is for the campaign,” Burns said.

“On the other hand, it is going to cause some citizens to be concerned about whether he can be effective as a persuader in the United States Senate. So it could have a mixed result.”

Read it all here at the Rapid City Journal.

“He does not want to put himself in a position where voters might begin to question his ability to be a strong lawmaker?”

Too late.

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