As business groups begin running ads against Tom Daschle, I think this is a good time to post some thoughts I jotted down on another blog about the Democratic Minority a few months ago. Here goes...



When Daschle assumed Senate leadership in 1995 following the retirement of Senator Mitchell (Maine), Congressional Democrats were in shambles. The Republican Right's "Contract with America" devestated the Dems in the midterms and we lost control of both Houses for the first time in 40 years. Suffice to say, it would not be an easy task for any Senator to lead the new minority party.
However, in the face of such adversity, Senator Daschle rallied the troops and ensured that President Clinton would be able to govern to at least some extent. He wholeheartedly supported the President during the budget showdown in '95 and pushed Clinton's agenda at all times.

Over the course of his nearly 10 years at leading his party in the Senate, Daschle brought the Democrats back into the majority against odds in the Republican's favor. Although the Dems lost in 2002, it should be noted that had it not been for the untimely death of Senator Wellstone and the horribly hateful Chambliss ad in Georgia comparing Cleland to Saddam and Osama the Democrats would have retained control of the Senate. As a result, I truly believe that Tom Daschle should be commended rather than be attacked.

On a more individual note, I think that Senator Daschle represents exactly what is good about the Democratic Party. He is a soft-spoken moderate from a Red state who puts the good of America above petty partisanship. While the Republicans take every opportunity to knock off anyone who does not tow the party line on all issues (i.e. the right-wing attempt to defeat Senator Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania senatorial primary), the Democratic Party is a so-called "Big Tent" party, welcoming people of all ideologies and of all backgrounds.

Most Democrats believe that the world is not black and white, but rather that each issue is complicated and must be carefully deliberated and thought out. This means not only being respectful of all opinions but addidionally listening to all sides of an issue and compromising instead of shrieking far-out ideology. Tom Daschle is the epitome of such a belief system.

There are many other reasons why he is a good leader and why it is important that he succeed his quest for reelection. I can talk about some of them a little later, but for now, this should suffice.