Dems have to Battle the Bush Cartel AND Tom Daschle's Ineptness

[Q]

BUZZFLASH REPORT Monday November 24, 2003 at 5:58:52 AM


It's Doubly Difficult for Democrats: They Have to Battle the Bush Cartel AND Tom Daschle's Ineptness

November 24, 2003

A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL

In four editorials in 2002 and 2003 (this is the fifth), we have expressed our serious concerns that Tom Daschle, George W. Bush's secret weapon, is still Minority "Leader." That is a total misnomer. Tom Daschle is Minority "Enabler." Since BuzzFlash began, we have been very sparing in our criticism of Democrats, unless they commit egregious betrayals against the chance to defeat Bush and the Republicans. We figure we don't, in general, need to assist the Republicans in their character assassination strategy. But sometimes, Democrats -- intentionally or inadvertently -- betray democracy, and help the Republicans in such a way that we cannot help but call them to task. Zell Miller, Joe Lieberman, and Tom Daschle have been among the few Democrats we have lambasted.

Of these three sinners, Daschle is the most dangerous. He is blinded by his self-interest, the influence of lobbyists, losing "deals" that he strikes with the White House, his perceived need to often vote in support of Republican bills because he is from an Ultra-red state, his desire not to pressure Democratic senators, his need to feel collegial "love" from his Republican colleagues, his ineptness, his timidity and his overall lack of leadership. In fact, when he leads Democrats, it is most often in the wrong direction.

Forget that he is well-spoken and wears a nice suit. He is, perhaps, the worst Democratic Minority "Leader" in modern history. He hands Bush and the Republicans more victories on a platter than they could ever have hoped for. Daschle is the perennial lout who continually grabs defeat from the jaws of victory. He blew an opportunity to cripple Bush and Cheney with investigations into their dirty business, when he was briefly Majority Leader after the Jeffords' defection. In fact, he pretty much let Bush set the agenda even when Daschle controlled the Senate. Daschle's continued tenure is the most serious danger to any chance of success the Democrats might have in 2004 in all the congressional and senate elections and the presidency. Because he has allowed the Bush administration to define the terms of the debate in Congress, without a strong Democratic counterattack or proactive vision.

In past editorials, we have detailed how Daschle has failed to defeat or filibuster almost every significant bill that has comprised Bush's MAJOR agenda. He squandered his term as majority leader by not having Democrats vigorously pursue 9/11, Exxon, and other corporate scandals -- as well as a whole host of lost opportunities. He gave Bush the Patriot Act, supported him on the war in Iraq, lavishly praised him when he was elected, promised Bush that all his cabinet appointments would be confirmed (and then the White House made a fool of Daschle by making public his promise), didn't contest the election of 2000, and let Cheney off the hook on the energy bill. His narrow-minded "Support the President," incremental "differences" national political strategy lost the senate for the Democrats in 2002. And that's just for starters.

- http://www.buzzflash.com/buzzscripts/buzz.dll/sub2

[edzontar]

1. Daschle continues to fail us.

I think istis time for him to go.

[KoKo]

2. It's really too late for him to go. He's given it all away now, what's

left? The media this a.m. is saying the Medicare Bill is a "done deal" even if it's filibustered, and the Energy Bill will go forward. Twelve Dem Senators are supporting the Medicare Bill, and who knows yet on the Energy Bill.

Daschle has behaved like a "poodle" to Bush. But, it was up to the other Senators to put pressure on him and get him to resign. Here we are with Terry McAuliff and Tom Daschle. Both should have stepped down after Selection 2000.

One just scratches one's head a wonders how this could have happened to our party. But then we know that it's been going on for a long time, when Clinton wasn't supported. Bush has gotten everything but the Judges, and he may, in the end, get them, too. And that gives him a perfect record to be re-elected on, when the Dem leadership looks spineless or at worst "supportive."

[dusty64]

3. Sad but true.

These "leaders" are beginning to make me believe their failures are being done on purpose. Afterall, no one can really be this incompetent over and over, can they? McAuliff is from my area and there were high hopes of his breathing new life into the Democratic party here and possibly unseating our "rep" who is nothing but a regime hack. Nothing, I repeat NOTHING has been done here. It is probably too late to replace them now, but after the next election cycle these "leaders" have GOT to go.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Why are Democrats from Red states elected as leaders of the

Democratic party? Sounds like a poor strategy to me.

[slinkerwink]

5. Daschle needs to go

'nuff said

[Q]

6. Look...Daschle is a good guy...just not an effective leader...

...in a time when leadership is needed more than ever.

- It pisses me off that Bush* will now be able to point to 'bipartisan' legislative 'victories' in the 2004 campaign. Why give him this type of ammunition to use against Dems?

[el_gato]

7. good guy my ass!...He's a sellout

and has no interest in fighting the good fight