Revolt on the ranch: South Dakota Republicans may keep the Senate Democratic. (Gazette).

IN EARLY OCTOBER, AS THE IRAQ debate heated up in Washington, U.S. Rep. and Senate hopeful John Thune (R-S.D.) began airing a campaign ad on western South Dakota television stations. The 30-second spot featured images of Saddam Hussein while an announcer assailed opponent Tim Johnson, the incumbent Democratic senator, for voting against missile-defense implementation. Opposing missile defense, the ad implied, could land Hussein's weapons of mass destruction in your backyard.

Just a few weeks ago, Republicans were relying on Iraq to carry them to victory, but this strategy no ...