BLAME AMERICA FIRST? ON THE EVE OF WAR, DASCHLE TRIES TO GAIN PARTISAN ADVANTAGE

Republican National Committee ^ | 17 March 2003 | RNC Research

[PhiKapMom]

RNC Research

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BLAME AMERICA FIRST? ON THE EVE OF WAR, DASCHLE TRIES TO GAIN PARTISAN ADVANTAGE

With American Troops Poised To Fight, Daschle Blames Potential War Casualties On President Bush

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SENATOR TOM DASCHLE: “I’m Saddened, Saddened That This President Failed So Miserably At Diplomacy That We’re Now Forced To War. Saddened That We Have To Give Up One Life Because This President Couldn’t Create The Kind Of Diplomatic Effort That Was So Critical For Our Country.” (Senator Tom Daschle, Remarks At International Association Of Firefighters Conference, 3/17/03)

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BEFORE LAST NOVEMBER’S ELECTION, DASCHLE SUPPORTED USE OF FORCE IN IRAQ AND RECOILED AT POLITICIZING DEBATE

Senator Daschle Voted For The Resolution “To Authorize The Use Of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq” Last October. (H. J. Res. 114, Roll Call #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, With Daschle Voting Yea.)

Last Fall, Daschle Decried “Accusations” Over “National Security.” “We ought not politicize this war. We ought not politicize the rhetoric about war and life and death. … We have to rise to a higher level. … [I]t is not too late to forget the pollsters . . . the campaign fundraisers . . . [the] accusations about how interested in national security,” different parties are. (Senator Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, 9/25/02)

Daschle Said “Never Once” Did He Politicize The War In Iraq In 1991-92, And Hoped We Would Have the “Same Level Of Debate This Time.” “I can recall in 1991 and 1992 … when President Bush made the decision he did. I can recall several of my staff coming to me, suggesting that we say this or that. But never once did I have someone on my staff … refer to the politics of the war with Iraq. … We need that same level of debate this time …” (Senator Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, 9/25/02)

IN 1998, DASCHLE SUPPORTED USE OF FORCE IN IRAQ AND CALLED FOR BIPARTISANSHIP

Daschle Recognized That “Saddam Hussein Leaves Us Little Choice” But “The Use Of Force.” “[C]learly the intransigence on the part of the Iraqi government and Saddam Hussein leaves us little choice at this point … So I would think that, if nothing changes, the use of force at some point would be inevitable.” (William Neikirk, “Congress Talks Tough On Iraq,” Chicago Tribune, 2/5/98)

Daschle Wanted A “United” And “Bipartisan” Message That “Iraq Must Comply.” “Iraq must comply. There is no choice. We stand united in our determination to do whatever is necessary … The United States has the resolve to ensure that compliance and we stand united today in an effort to articulate that very clear message as loudly, as unequivocally, and in as much of a bipartisan way as we can.” (Senator Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, 2/12/98)

Daschle Called For “Immediate Iraqi Compliance” Or “Threat By Force” Would Be “Required.” “[A]bsent immediate Iraqi compliance … the security threat doesn’t simply persist – it worsens. Saddam Hussein must understand that the United States has the resolve to reverse that threat by force, if force is required.” (Senator Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, 2/12/98)

SO WHY, ON THE EVE OF WAR, HAS DASCHLE CHANGED HIS TUNE?

A Publication of the RNC Research Department

[John Valentine]

Daschle, observing and astute as always, has taken a pisspot for a bottle of cologne.

I can only say that I hope he slathers it on, for the stink of it will set him apart.

[Callahan]

I congratulate you on remaining calm enough to interpret Tiny Tom's drivel. I just reach for the tar bucket.

[thoughtomator]

This is just disgusting. The man is a walking embarassment. He and his cohorts have forgotten what it means to be American.

[JusPasenThru]

You are just a bunch of Daschle-haters, cranked up by Rush Limbaugh (said with a heavy sense of irony).

[Ann Archy]

Not just Blame America FIRST...it's BLAME AMERICA ONLY!!!!

[Renatus]

Tom Daschole is a lying, hypocritical, self-serving bastard.

Well said.

[CAfraudPI]

Tom, you are a pitiful excuse for a man.

[Wait4Truth]

You are being far too kind. Even though I know how evil the RATS can be, I am truly shocked that ANY United States senator would make such comments on the eve of war. His rabid and ugly comments make me very sick to my stomach.

[Callahan]

Methinks Daschle has just sealed the fate of the Democratic Party with his pathetic, opportunistic, illogical whining.

[EODGUY]

IMHO, this is just one more illustration that there are dem politicians who crave and lust for power so vociferously that they would prostitute themselves to acquire it.

This man has no honor, no character, no moral fiber and I firmly believe he has no sincere allegience to the United States of America.

God bless America,

EODGUY

[sarasmom]

I am truly saddened that Dasshole is in any position of prominence in the USA government.I trust that embarassing situation will be corrected soon.

Balance of post self deleted.

[Darling Lili]

Tom Daschole is a lying, hypocritical, self-serving bastard.

Relax. Anybody with an IQ above their shoe size is going to agree with you.

Here's hoping he keeps on keeping on.

[Nubbin]

Isn't Daschle a French name?

LOL...when I first saw the headline I thought it read

...Dashle tries to gain Parisian advantage

[savedbygrace]

There is now no distinction between the troops and their mission.

Anyone who says s/he supports the troops but stands against the war effort is deceived.

[JulieRNR21]

Da$$hole has demonstrated for all Americans that he puts the DemonRATs' interests above their safety!

I hope his remarks backfire on him & his party of A$$es!

[jwalsh07]

Tom Daschle, Leader of Le Partie Democratique' and all around general pissant.

[Wait4Truth]

I'd like to see the South Dakota papers take him on for this!

[deport]

Senator Daschle needs to be tarred and feathered.

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There maybe a good chance that may occur. I can't believe his constituents are inline with his feelings...

[nothingnew]

This SOB needs to be marched out, given a cigaret and a blindfold.....you chicken-shit lilylivered bastard should be shot...I'm sick, please forgive my animosity towards this piece of crap..........no, never mind...I mean EVERY WORD I TYPED!

FMCDH