In recent weeks a number of lobbyists told Roll Call that Senate MajorityLeader ThomasDaschle (D-S.D.) and Minority LeaderTrent Lott (R-Miss.) warned them that they are keeping a close watch on donations in the contest between Sen.Tim Johnson (D) and his challenger, Rep. JohnThune (R). According to the lobbyists, both Lott and Daschle have hinted that their legislative priorities may be endangered if they give to the wrong side.

Headlining a Thune fundraiser in Washington last week, Lott told the lobbyists in attendance, "We know who's here, and who's not," according to several sources who were at the event.

Lott's comments were viewed as a blunt message to K Street and the PAC community that Senate GOP leaders are keeping close tabs on the flow of money to the South Dakota combatants.

"Republicans have started paying attention to those who are easily intimidated and those who have the courage to do the right thing," one GOPstrategist said when asked about Lott's remarks.

Several lobbyists who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that Daschle had employed similar tactics in conversations with them over the past few months.

"ÔWe are going to be watching how you and your industry do in the race in our state,'" one Democratic lobbyist recalled Daschle telling her. "I have never had anyone tell me I could not give to a candidate before."

Michael Meehan, Daschle's top political adviser, freely admitted the Majority Leader will do what it takes to get Johnson re-elected, but downplayed any suggestion that Daschle is linking legislative action to political donations.

"It's not the South Dakota way to put the screws to anybody," said Meehan, although he added that the South Dakota race "may make the difference to Daschle" remaining as Majority Leader.

"The stakes are high here," Meehan said.

Lott was not available for comment.

Although Senators exerting pressure on PACs and lobbyists over their "pet" races is hardly a new development, the stakes in the SouthDakota contest have been heightened because it is viewed as a surrogate race pitting Daschle against the Bush White House in a battle that could determine who controls the Senate majority.

Daschle has repeatedly stated that re-electing Johnson is his top political priority in 2002 and has gone all out to pad the incumbent's campaign coffers in the off year.

The MajorityLeader has appeared at a dozen fundraisers for Johnson this year, according to Johnson's campaign, and donated freely from his various fundraising committees to help the junior Senator.

"Tom Daschle's friends don't need him to say how important this is," said a lobbyist close to the South Dakota Democrat. "If they're on the fence or they can't make up their minds, that means they want Lott to be Majority Leader. This race probably decides who will be Majority Leader."

President Bush himself played a major role in wooing Thune to run for Senate, convincing the three-term Member to reverse course after he was an all but announced candidate for governor.

Although Thune tries to minimize the importance of White House pressure on his decision to run for Senate, it has become clear since his announcement that his campaign is a top priority for the White House and Senate Republicans.

White House senior adviser KarlRove traveled to SouthDakota on Dec. 10 to raise money for Thune, and NationalRepublicanSenatorialCommittee Chairman Bill Frist (Tenn.) appeared at a Thune fundraiser earlier in the month. Vice President Cheney attended a fundraiser for the South Dakota Republican Party in November.

Frist has also been privately exhorting his colleagues to make donations to the Congressman from their own campaigns or leadership PACS. Thune has received contributions from 10 GOP Senators according to his campaign.

"We are trying to pump up [Thune's] numbers," admitted a lobbyist close to the Thune campaign. "There's a push to get the numbers up by the end of the year."

But this lobbyist claimed that Lott's comments were made "partially in response to Daschle's push."

"Daschle is basically telling people that giving to Thune and giving to [Missouri GOP Senate candidate Jim] Talent means they're voting against him as Majority Leader. We have to act on that."

Thune began the race in a fundraising hole following his October announcement, raising only $33,000 in the first six months of this year for his federal campaign account; he posted $482,000 on hand at the end of June.

Most of Thune's attention in the first half of the year went to gathering $500,000 for a state gubernatorial account, but that money cannot be transferred into a federalaccount.

Johnson raised more than $1 million through June 30 and finished the period with nearly $1.4 million on hand.

Daschle's methods have irked even some in the lobbying community who have grown accustomed to pressure from elected officials to make donations.

"Daschle is being subtle and heavy-handed at the same time," said one GOP lobbyist whose organization has given to both candidates in the past.

"He walks up, puts his hand on your shoulder, gives thatDaschle grin and says, ÔYou know I am keeping track of people who give to Tim Johnson.'"

Another Democratic lobbyist agreed that Daschle takes on a "very jovial and congenial manner" when discussing donations in the Blizzard State Senate race, but added that "knowing Daschle the way we do, it's very clear what he's talking about.

"His manner of speaking lets you know that your legislative initiatives are in jeopardy if you cross his direction in political races," the lobbyist explained.

As for the effectiveness of the Majority Leader's methods, opinions differ.

A Democratic lobbyist said conversations withDaschle have greatly impacted where her organization's donations will go.

"I had to tell [Daschle] that we've agreed to give the full amount for [Georgia Democratic Sen. Max] Cleland," noted the lobbyist, speaking of another of the Majority Leader's top priorities. "We are cleaning out the PAC for someone who hasn't done anything for me."

In the South Dakota race, the lobbyist confirmed that they will not be giving to Thune, despite the factthat "he fought for us" during his tenure in the House.

One Republican lobbyist, however, dismissed the effect thatDaschle's warnings will have on which candidate his organization backs.

"Thune has a 100 percent voting record with us. Johnson has a 44 percent voting record with us. Based on that, regardless of what Daschle or anyone else said, you'd have to wonder why we'd be with anyone other than Thune," the lobbyist said.

Daschle adviser Meehan stressed that both parties are focusing intently on the contest.

"When the White House sends its top political adviser to the state, and the White House communications director is quoted in the local paper, it's clear all the way down to the White House that this is a top priority," he said.

Meehan also mocked Lott's reported comments at the recent Thune fundraiser held at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Referring to Lott's warning to would-be donors, Meehan added,"The last time that [Lott] made a list and checked it twice, he did the same thing for [former] Sen. Abraham [R-Mich.]" a reference to Spence Abraham's failed 2000 Senate re-election bid. Abraham was later appointed secretary of energy by Bush.

Both campaigns deny any knowledge that pressure is being exerted by their party leadership to steer donations to them or away from their opponent.

"As far as we know, there is no pressure being placed on anyone to contribute," said Johnson campaign manager Steve Hildebrand. "People either want to contribute toSenator Johnson or they don't.

"We reach out to a lot of people, and SenatorDaschle has been extremely helpful at doing that," Hildebrand continued. However, he added that "No undue pressure is being placed on anyone, as far as we're concerned."

"It is disappointing to see these kind of tactics employed on behalf of Tim Johnson," scolded Thune spokeswoman Christine Iverson in response.

"It appears because Johnson is not a strong enough candidate to raise money on his own merits the Senate Majority Leader has to step in and do it for him," Iverson added.