From the Senate Minority Leader, a Call to Calm (NYT)

[Don Claybrook]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/10/politics/trail/10TRAIL-DASCHLE.html

The leader of the Senate's Democrats, Tom Daschle, today decried what he described as a "startling meanness" in contemporary politics, saying people in both parties were exceeding the boundaries of partisanship.

...

In his comments, he specifically mentioned the 2002 Senate campaigns run against two fellow Democrats, Tim Johnson, who won re-election in South Dakota, and Max Cleland, who lost in Georgia. Both had been the subject of ads that compared them with Osama bin Laden for their objections to parts of a proposal to create the new homeland security agency. But Mr. Daschle also criticized a recent Web site ad by the group Moveon.org that compared President Bush with Hitler.

"There is no excuse for such an outrageous attack; it damages our political discourse," Mr. Daschle said. He offered seven ways to improve the level of political debate in the country, including one to "reject the idea that civility is a weakness and compromise is a sin."
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I really believe Tom Daschle to be a nice guy, but not very effective against a Republican Party that will not compromise one iota. I don't think Daschle understands this.

[sniffa]

1. daschLe caLLs for a return to niceness

[xray s]

2. Spoken like a guy who wants to stay Minority Leader

Maybe he likes the job.

[saigon68]

4. HE'LL LOSE

and then he won't be anything

[young_at_heart]

3. Sad to say, but do people listen to Daschle?

He's too soft-spoken and I don't think people take him seriously.

[Guaranteed]

29. LOL No, they don't. nt

[Bandit]

47. Remember he didn't appoint himself minority leader

He was elected by huge majority so someone does indeed take him seriously.

[MasonJar]

5. Well. Tom. the Bushites are reminiscent of Hitler.

[bpilgrim]

6. pfft... better get USED TO IT

i guess the plan is to act all surprised and indignant when they 'ABUSE' us... AGAIN.

and he has to go to some web site to pull up a stale 'dem' example... that says a lot about the 'liberal' media doesn't.

these folks better put on a good SHOW this summer with all the material the reTHUGs have given'em... they better STOP with the whining right NOW.

they wanna WHINE they better start and end with the neoCONs ruining this country.

peace

[BattyDem]

7. The sad thing is ...

Tom's right. The parties should respect their differences and debate them openly and honestly, without resorting to personal and partisan attacks. However ... Tom doesn't seem to have a clue about the kind of people the neo-cons are. They don't know the meaning of words like "fairness" and "civility" and "compromise". I honestly do believe that Daschle's a good guy ... he's just too nice. He doesn't have what it takes to handle this crowd. He's got the right idea, but unfortunately, it's the wrong time for it.

[DrBB]

8. Daschle recommends pink tutu for all Dems

"I know the other side won't wear theirs, but we need to wear ours so they can feel better about beating us up," Daschle said. "It's simple courtesy, and good for political discourse in this country."

[Democat]

9. Tom Daschle is a weak Dem leader - anyone remember 2002?

When Daschle didn't get replaced after the 2002 election, it proved that many in the Democratic Party still don't get it.

We need mean fighting fearless leaders to take on the right wing.

[hang a left]

14. Oh they get it alright.

They have sold us out. Fucking traitors!!!

[Dover]

10. Are persons who resort to crime, torture and even murder to reach their

ends, predisposed to civility? Puhhhleeeeze......

[DemosthenesOfTheWest]

11. Correct me if I'm wrong. Republican's reviewed and approved the Osama ad.

Moveon.org rejected the Hitler ad. That's a huge difference.

[wroberts189]

12. a piece of milktoast as minority leader

The republicans have told big outright lies in their constant attacks and the worst from us is one rejected MoveOn ad that was quite accurate especially now.

We need a new leader.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

13. Shut up, Daschle. Go look for a backbone someplace.

[gratuitous]

15. Did someone just tell him about the "startling meanness"?

I mean, hell, that was back in 2002! What are you going to DO about it, Tom? Do you like getting kicked in the nads? Are you going to politely ask for another one? Right now, our nation needs a responsible, vocal opposition in a way we haven't needed it for 50 years -- I'll ask again: What are YOU doing about it, Mr. Minority Leader?

People are being tortured and dying in our name. When do you think it will be time to drop the gloves and start fighting back?

[Just Me]

16. He's cool,...being a mediator and planting "suggestion",...

Shame on anyone presenting this adminstration as being something akin to Hitler. So sad that anyone would suggest that. Let us repeat that our country is nothing akin to Hitler's regime. How horrible that the discourse has risen to such levels.

However, Mr. Daschle,...at this point in our present history,...I must say that,...you are playing the wrong game.

You had better WAKE UP,...to what is happening and either fight or run away.

[2Design]

17. Daschle voted with the repubs on claiming fetus a person

He was one of six democrats who voted against what is best for Women on this last go around just before the March for Womens Lives. This is a giant step backward for women

[Rowdyboy]

18. The Democratic party needs a leader who is not from a swing state...

We need someone from a Blue state that will be assured of re-election and can vote and speak his/her heart without fearing that any particular vote could end his career.

[crossroads]

32. Yeah that's it - a 'swing' state, hmmm

Interesting. :shrug:

[Rowdyboy]

34. You seem unswayed by my brilliance....I'm confused...

Daschle represents South Dakota (okay, its not a swing state, its a VERY conservative Republican state). My point, however, remains the same. Our senate leader needs to be able to take unpopular stands without ending his career over them. We need a senate leader from a state that will re-elect a senator who will take an unpopular stands and fight for principle...

A senate leader from a safely Democratic state would give our leader the luxury of standing on principle. Maybe a Chuck Schumer, a John Corzine, or a Barbara Mikulski.

[crossroads]

36. No, I am confused now,

I cought your drift and was agreeing with you. He *has* to play both sides of the aisle because of his base. I am sincere, that was good thinking! No offense intended. :pals: :yourock:

[dansolo]

48. Dick Durbin

He's from a solidly Democratic state (IL), and he hasn't been taking any shit from the Republicans. He's got more spine than all of the rest of the Democrats in the Senate combined.

[democrank]

19. Tom has spent way too much time

with his friends across the aisle. He should bow out so we can rush in a replacement and have the opportunity to experience real leadership.

We don`t need deer in the headlights looks, we need someone to whip up the masses into a Bush-defeating frenzy.

[Justitia]

20. Who woke up Daschle?

"Huh? What? Why is everybody soooo mean???"

Go back to sleep Tom.
Or at least STFU.
Wet noodle, spineless sellout.

[xray s]

21. Remember the scene in Animal House?

All hell is breaking loose at the parade, the Death Mobile is screaming down the street, Belushi is swinging from building to building, and the Kevin Bacon ROTC character is walking down the street telling people to "remain calm".

I can just see Daschle in that role.

[grasswire]

22. good strategic move right now

Claim to have the high ground and then accuse the Pugs of fighting dirty when they go nuts. (Which they always do.) Parent the Pugs.

[SoCalDem]

23. Blah...blah..blah

"Niceness" does not work.. If dems like repubes so much and want them to love back, they might as well just BE repubes..

[FredScuttle]

24. Pfft...

Our own Sen. N. Chamberlain from S.D. once again bends over backward to appease those who would sooner drive us from this country and rule unchecked.

Unbelieveable....this guy gets anthrax in the mail and then asks for some more (in so many words).

Hey Tom! The only way to handle a snarling dog is to smack it on its damn snout!

[SoCalDem]

25. Majority/minority leaders should ALWAYS be from "safe"

districts. states.. Sorry, but that is the truth.. A person who is in a precarious position in his/her political life, is less likely to be able to be true to their own convictions. If they are always worried about "offending" and losing the next election, they are just a doormat.

[Rowdyboy]

27. My dear friend...

Please check out post 18

Are we on the same page or what?

[SoCalDem]

30. Great minds think alike, my dear

:)

[Rowdyboy]

31. twin children of different mothers

[The_Casual_Observer]

26. Daschle doesn't realize that the republicans

are kicking him in the ass at every opportunity. This is no different than trying to play Mr. Nice Guy with a tough business competitor. The republicans know how to play that game.

[Guaranteed]

28. Nuh uh, Tom.

They started this shit. We're going to finish it.

Those Repuke fuckers have piled on so many lies and have so many skeletons in their closets that they're going to be begging to stop the "partisanship" before we're finished with them.

I've had enough of their shit, and they're going to be destroyed.

[Neshanic]

33. Daschle's "seven ways". Learn it, live it, end up like him. WIMP!

[symbolman]

35. Bull

I basically INVENTED the Bush Nazi thing, NOT MoveOn..

I did THIS flash movie at least a YEAR before there was any mention of MoveOn..

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/bushnonazi.html

and it's STILL right on the money :)

[crossroads]

37. Good Show!

:yourock:

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[truthisfreedom]

39. ok, we have Daschle sniveling, cheney and bush kissing ass'scrack, and

the stench of our own country's atrocities, specifically designed to offend muslims. what's next? if rove is in charge of this, it's the most disgusting manoever yet.

[pfitz59]

40. This is BS!

Should be a call to arms! Blood is in the water, Dem sharks should be circling! Timid Tom strikes again!

[legin]

41. Listened to the whole speech

(I deserve a medal for that)

in some places he is bearable, but mostly he sucks. Slagged off Ted Rall as well. He was totally into the war in Iraq, he didn't vote for it because he was spineless, he voted for it because he wanted it.

Did a version of the 6 bad apples execuse for the torture scandel. That is right at the end, 52 mins.

He has to go.

[Piperay]

42. Phooey...

I hope when we are back in control we treat the repukes the same way they have treated us the past 4 years, all these people understand is meaness and being nice to them only gets you kicked in the teeth. :argh: :mad:

[yorgatron]

43. when your wife ios a big-time LOBBYIST

you don't want anybody rockin'the boat,do ya TOM???

[kentuck]

44. Daschle needs to be replaced....

He doesn't understand the enemy.

[Hotler]

45. Cabin boy for Bill Frist is all he is.

None of them are showing any balls. Afraid they'll wrinkle their $1,000.00 suits.

[koopie57]

46. You have to admit

Daschle is consistent, every time he opens his mouth my head starts spinning. I would suggest to him, and this is only a suggestion, but when the republicans start ripping apart good and descent democrats, like they did to Mr. Mcleland, I suggest that is when you want to come out against the extreme ugliness of the political debate. When the democrats get their backs up and start getting rough in the political debate, shut up until you're asked about it and then simply say you think the ad went too far and shut up again. I mean, when the republicans go so far as to convince a large population of voters that a man who lost three? (right?) limbs fighting for the US is unpatriotic, they certainly don't need anyone to stand up for them and encourage that we play fair with them.

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[THUNDER HANDS]

50. Am I the only one here who LIKES Tom Daschle?

I mean, he's softspoken and everything, but from all accounts that I read, he's a very effective senate leader and a real arm-twister behind closed-doors.

You try being the leader of a party with a Ted Kennedy and a Zel Miller and making it work half the time.