All Daschle's Got

The liberal journalist Mickey Kaus on Kerry's embrace and promotion of his Vietnam record: "it's more or less all Kerry's got." This reminded me of Daschle's mantra that he "delivers" for South Dakota, a claim that was explained as demonstrably untrue at the farm debate last week, where Daschle took it on the chin for the ethanol bill (he refused to do anything to promote passage). Note that Daschle's campaign mantra is not that he "represents" South Dakota--he's contrary to most South Dakotans on many issues. Therefore, when his record is criticized he screams bloody murder. His current ad addresses no issues and says people are spreading "lies" about him, when in reality the only ad running now is a Chamber of Commerce ad which dings Daschle for tort reform, which he's blocked several times. This is similar to the Kerry campaign, which, instead of releasing all the records and addressing the Vietnam issue in detail, calls criticism "lies" and a "smear." Anyway, while Daschle has mastered the role of victim, it doesn't seem to be working in this race. People expect Daschle to be a grown-up who can duke it out over the issues and explain his positions. His constant wolf-crying only makes him look weak and unwilling to engage on the issues. So does his unwillingness to debate. After the Rapid City Journal scorched Daschle for ducking debates, a west river man who was undecided told me he now opposes Daschle because it looks like he's hiding something. He is: his record. Claiming he "delivers" and attacking any criticism of his record as "lies" is, similar to Kerry and the war, all he's got.