why haven't the Dems taken away Daschles power?

[donsu]

why? is he in a bubble?

[Woodstock]

1. I'd like to hear theories on this, too

I haven't heard anything that has made any sense yet.

The only thing I hear is that he has to be careful to keep his seat - well that's a HUGE reason why he should not be in this position.

We need someone to vigorously defend the party platform - someone who does not have to worry about losing his seat.

[1songbird]

10. I agree with your comments

I personally think the minority leader should be from a majority democratic state. Daschale does have a tough election looming and he can not help the party effectively without harming himself. I think Durbin, Schumer, Kennedy, or Clinton would be great at this job.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

12. agree, leadership from a safe seat

I never thought about it this way before, but of course it makes sense. Is there a compelling reason to have the leader and whip from swing districts?

[Some Moran]

2. Think about it...

They're still wearing their pink tutus.

Even Wellstone voted for the Patriot Act (and the DMCA, and DOMA)...

If Wellstone wasn't able to remove his tutu, then God help the rest of the DNC.

Edited for spelling.

[madrchsod]

3. one word

cowards

[candy331]

7. Two words

Anthrax scare.

[leesa]

13. Oh Please! Anthrax, not a huge threat.

This is about money and re-election. If he has been threatened or his family has been threatened, then he has all the more reason to stand up and fight these monsters, if he is possessed of courage. That's his job as a leader. My guess is his loyalties are more to corporatists than to the people of this country.

[Rowdyboy]

4. I think we need a senate leader with a safe seat

Kennedy, Sarbanes, Kerry, Dodd, Mikulski, Leahy, Levin or Durbin all could take on the bastards and still keep their senate seats. Daschle, evidently, cannot.

[Cleita]

6. Why hasn't Kennedy achieved this position?

In my opinion he should be numero uno.

[Rowdyboy]

9. Ted Kennedy was Majority Whip from 1969-70

He did a poor job, was inattentive to the job duties. Then came Chappaquiddic. Senator Bob Byrd challenged him for the Whip position after the 1970 election and won.

Since that time, Kennedy has relied on senority for advancement.

[truthseeker1]

5. I was appalled watching him on Meet the Press this AM

I mean, is he a Republican now?
Has he been Zell Millerized??
Disgusting!!

[KeepItReal]

8. Maybe he doesn't realize that being a Statesman does no good

...when you are in a street fight with thugs who fight dirty?

Instead of trying to stay above the fray and act all calm and barely concerned, Daschle should put his foot down (like he did on the Judicial filibusters) and say "F*ck you, Bush, this ain't right."

Please believe the Repubs are sayin "F*ck you Daschle...and thanks by the way", as they walk all over him and his spirit of "bi-partisanship".

Bush & Co. believe it's their way or the highway on *EVERYTHING*. So who's side are you on Tom?

[JI7]

11. because he is a nice guy

and people in his state vote democratic for senate (by small margin) just because their guy is the democratic leader, and could be senate leader if dems take control. for a small state, that kind of thing is a huge thing for many of them. so it gives democrats 2 senate seats which would otherwise most likely go to gop.

[Scott Lee]

14. Because he's approved by the Statist elite.

Daschle's doing a wonderful job of what has made the DLC such a winning organization the past few years.

We can't have trouble makers like Howard Dean in there screwing it up for the power brokers.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

15. I don't know, but they need too..

Daschle is a wimp. He lacks the conviction these times require. The DEms are getting killed, due to uninspired leadership.