Daschle: Shrill Political Talk Spurs Threats

Reuters ^ | 11/20/02

[Brian Mosely]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Political discussion in the United States has taken on a shrill edge that has encouraged an increasing number of threats against public officials, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle said on Wednesday.

Daschle told reporters that the "very shrill edge" taken on by many radio and television talks show hosts has turned politics into entertainment and can spark an emotional response in people.

"What happens when (radio talk show host) Rush Limbaugh attacks those of us in public life is that people aren't satisfied just to listen," the South Dakota Democrat explained. "They want to act because they get emotionally invested. And so, you know, the threats to those of us in public life go up dramatically, on our families and on us, in a way that's very disconcerting."

Daschle, whose office was a target in last year's anthrax mail attacks, declined to go into detail about the nature of the threats. But he said that when he was accused by Republicans of being an obstructionists the number of threats against him and his family rose.

"If entertainment becomes so much a part of politics and if that entertainment drives an emotional movement in this country among some people who don't know the difference between entertainment and politics, and who are then so energized to go out and hurt somebody, that troubles me about where politics in America is going," Daschle said.

Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott when asked about Daschle's remarks said he did not agree that political discussion had taken on a shrill edge for entertainment purposes and was not aware of any increase in the number of threats.

[Brian Mosely]

There has been quite a few posts on this...so here's some actual wire copy to digest...or regurgitate.

[inkling]

I wonder how much Limbaugh paid Li'l Tommy for all the free publicity.

[Nateman]

Its always been a blood sport. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

[joltinjoe]

Gosh, they just hate it when people are informed....

[HEY4QDEMS]

What Tom is really saying is that "we politicians should have our views and voting records hidden from the public and the press so we can screw over the country and not be held accountable"

[bmwcyle]

Rush responds

[Station 51]

Should we condone threats against public officials?

[Argus]

"If entertainment becomes so much a part of politics and if that entertainment drives an emotional movement in this country among some people who don't know the difference between entertainment and politics, and who are then so energized to go out and hurt somebody, that troubles me about where politics in America is going," Daschle said.

I'd hate to have to diagram that sentence, much less translate what it's supposed to mean. This moron can't even speak English.

[TheLion]

I think it is time for Daschle to retire and go back to the farm. These remarks are ridiculous.

[Arkie2]

I guess Clinton saying Christian fundamentalists were the biggest terrorist threat in the US doesn't qualify as shrill but Rush discussing issues does? Give me a break!

[chachacha]

Look! To this Dick H--D, a person who carry's a fire arm is a terrorist. The only thing this weakling liberal can kill is a baby. He fights for the snails darters and pine trees but will not vote or support the American homeland.

He is an outright disgrace. How do folks like this keep on getting elected to do the Nations business.

WAKE UP AMERICAN VOTERS.

[ProudGOP]

Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott when asked about Daschle's remarks said he did not agree that political discussion had taken on a shrill edge for entertainment purposes and was not aware of any increase in the number of threats

Trent Lott whiffs on a softball. There are a lot of ways Lott could have made Daschle look stupid on this.

As usual, he blew it.

[Jim Robinson]

The propaganda coming from the left would be quite entertaining (if the results were not quite so serious).

[Helotes]

The shrill sound is the air whistling past Tommy's ears as his party prepares to auger in.

[scannell]

Did Daschle mention the shrill tone for the Wellstone Memorial and the crowd chaos that chased Lott and Ventura out of the building?

[Arkie2]

A political add in St Louis saying Republicans advocated firebombing Black churches isn't shrill but Rush talking about Daschle's obstructionism is?

[browardchad]

here's some actual wire copy to digest...or regurgitate

I choose the latter in all things Daschle. (I wonder if tiny-minded Tom considers regurgitation a threat?)

[FreeTheHostages]

Daschle: "And so, you know, the threats to those of us in public life go up dramatically and – on our families and on us in a way that's very disconcerting"

Disgusting. Here in DC, when political activists break the law, it's invariably the leftists when they come to town. That's why the DC Chapter has a "no teargas necessary, we're conservatives" sign. Just disgusting that Daschle tries to portray conservative activists as violent. Really ridiculous.

[Arkie2]

A political add showing Bush pushing a senior citizen off a cliff isn't shrill but Rush pointing out Daschle's liberalism is?

[onedoug]

People still berate the Coast Guard for not finding and rescuing the Gilligan's Island castaways.