The Daschle campaign is simply stunning in its cynicism. As you know, they've been running TV ads attacking Thune--literally saying he's "dishonest"--because, they say, Daschle is pro-life and anti-gay marriage. Now they're running something similar in a radio ad. Here's the text:
The Congressional Record shows: Tom Daschle voted five times to outlaw partial birth abortions and helped get it passed into law. Thune knows it because he voted for the same law and Daschle believes marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman just like John Thune. That’s why Tom voted for the Defense of Marriage Act. John Thune is being dishonest and he’ll do anything to get elected.Daschle: I’m Tom Daschle. I’m running for U.S. Senate and I approve of this ad.
What the ad doesn't say is that Daschle voted against the partial-birth abortion ban first and voted to uphold President Clinton's veto of the partial birth abortion ban. Only later did Daschle change his mind. In 2003, he said the "time has come to move on." New York Times, October 23, 2003. In 2002, Daschle did a fundraising letter for NARAL touting his "pro-choice leadership" in the Senate and his opposition to "anti-choice" forces. He shouted to the California Democratic Party in February 2002: "We will not surrender sacred ground, and that includes a woman's constitutional right to choose." He's given $10,000 to Emily's List, which the Boston Globe (Sept. 13, 2001) calls "the abortion rights mega-PAC." Last summer Daschle voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment banning gay marriage even though he has supported 40-odd constitutional amendments over the years. Is it honest for Daschle to imply with his tv and radio ads that he's pro-life and anti-gay marriage? The question is who's being dishonest about the life and marriage issues? Quentin gives Stephanie Herseth credit for simply saying she's pro-choice and he's right--she deserves credit for her honesty. Daschle became furious with a reporter for asking him if he's "pro-choice"; Daschle even refused to admit the NARAL fundraiser was a fundraiser even though it asked for money 6 times. Daschle deserves condemnation for reaching a new cynical nadir. Not only does he deny something that he has said already--that he's pro-choice--but he attacks his opponent for lying when his opponent points out Daschle's statements and record on the matter.
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