Senator Kennedy on The Leadership of Senator Tom Daschle

[Dirty Hippie]

To my fellow progressives:

Regarding the recent commentary by "a Midwestern BuzzFlash reader" questioning whether Tom Daschle should step down as Senate Democratic Leader and "let someone like Ted Kennedy step into the breach" (December 9). As flattered as I am by your reader's vote of confidence in me, he or she is mistaken about Senator Daschle.

Civility is not timidity. Tom Daschle may speak softly, but few people are working harder -- or more effectively -- to stop the radical right steamroller. The White House knows this, and that's why Rush Limbaugh and the right-wing media have attacked him so viciously.

Robert Byrd voted against Daschle the first time he ran for Democratic Leader because, he said, he didn't think Daschle was tough enough. Two years later, Senator Byrd not only supported Daschle's re-election as Leader, he nominated him. He said,"I was wrong about this young man. He has steel in his spine."

...


http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/03/12/con03390.html

[SayitAintSo]

1. I agree ... Teddy nailed it with civility being confused with timidity

Daschle gets a raw deal. He has a tough job. Hell, remember the coup with Jeffords ? He didn't pull that off being a Lott or Delay.

[MoonAndSun]

2. As much as I respect Senator Kennedy...

I disagree with him about Tom Daschle. We need someone who will not be fighting for their Senate seat next year and who is not afraid to call the repukes out on everything that they do or say.

Daschle does not have the gravitas to be the Dems Senate leader. If Kerry does not make it thru the primaries, I think he would do a better job then Daschle ever could. If Kerry does make it thru the primaries, I do not know who would be next in line, maybe Hillary?

[Democrats unite]

3. Kennedy is a wise man

More power to him & what he has to say.

[twilight]

4. no doubt

I have the utmost respect for Senator Kennedy. What he says, goes with me!

Remember: Speak softly but carry a big stick! - Theodore Roosevelt :D


:dem: :kick:

[pscot]

5. Much as I admire Senator Kennedy

I think it's time for a change. I have defended Daschle here in the past, but his capitulation on the energy bill and his failure to support the flibuster against the prescription drug bill are not the sort of leadership Democrats need right now. Civility is fine, but the enemy we face is not civil. The rules of the game have changed. We need some ball-kicking, eye-gouging, ear-biting Leadership. We ain't gonna get it from Tom Daschle.

[Myra]

6. This is excellent

"I share the outrage "Midwestern BuzzFlash reader" feels about the dangerous agenda the far right is trying to impose on America and its willingness to do anything to win. But Tom Daschle is not the problem, and forming a circular firing squad is not the solution."

Excellent.
Love Kennedy.