Sens. Daschle, Pelosi Deliver 'Prebuttal'

AP ^ | Jan. 16, 2004 | Jack Sullivan

[jwalburg]

WASHINGTON - Wealthy and well-connected Americans have done well during the Bush administration's three years in office, but "the president's policies have not worked as advertised" for most citizens, Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle said Friday.

Daschle and the House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, delivered at the National Press Club a "prebuttal" to President Bush's State of the Union address, which he is set to deliver Tuesday to a joint session of Congress.

They outlined a range of issues, from homeland security and foreign affairs to the president's tax cuts and economic policies, on which they contend the administration has fallen short of the record of accomplishment Bush is expected to describe.

"The real test ... is not whether the president's words ring triumphant, but whether they ring true," Daschle said.

Pelosi said the war in Iraq has been marked by "confusion and uncertainty" over how to make the transition to a stable new government. She also said Bush needs to explain "how he plans to restore America's standing in the eyes of the world."

"President Bush's dismissive treatment of our allies has left the United States bearing the heavy burden of stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq virtually alone," she said.

Daschle said the administration's economic policies have "valued the accumulation of wealth over the dignity of work." An economic plan, written by congressional Democrats but rejected by the Republican majority, would have created 1 million jobs this year, he contended.

The administration's policies "have created an economic floor for a few, while prolonging an economic drought for many," Daschle said.

Last week, Bush urged Congress to make the tax cuts he signed into law permanent, and so far this month he has outlined two large proposals: to give legal status to millions of undocumented workers in the United States and to build a long-term presence on the moon with a goal of eventually sending a manned mission to Mars.

[jwalburg]

Pelosi and Daschle, spokesmen for the downtrodden, while Pelosi realizes millions in profits from expensive San Francisco real estate holdings and two wineries, etc., and Daschle refuses to reveal lobbying profits on joint tax returns.

[rintense]

I saw some of this on the TV at the doctor's office. I thought it was a funeral at first, until I saw Daschle. My initial suspicions were correct and confirmed when I saw Pelosi.

Wouldn't it be funny if GWB drastically changed his speech?

[Wolfstar]

Was that AP's headline? If so, they are getting sloppier by the minute. Pelosi is not a senator.

[LasVegasMac]

I wonder if we will see the muffler appear again.

LVM

[Shermy]

Aren't they against pre-emptive strikes?

[jwalburg]

That was AP's headline, I'm pretty sure. I don't think American News copy editors redo the AP headlines on the web page.

[paul in cape]

Daschle and Pelosi just Jumped the Shark!

[jwalburg]

A lot of mufflers appearing in New England this week, I understand.

[harpu]

Yes it is...straight from the Aberdeen,SD paper.

[cinnathepoet]

[BSunday]

My new nickname for Nancy and Tom: The Pre-Hemorroids

[cinnathepoet]

Somehow I am not getting the shark reference. Can you enlighten me?

[LasVegasMac]

Las Vegas - today's high temp - a balmy 62.

Chilly in the shade, though.

Thought about getting my jacket.

LVM

[Viking2002]

Pelosi and Daschle - two cheeks of the same keister.

[sinkspur]

"What if they gave a speech, and nobody noticed?"

I've heard absolutely nothing about this, from any media source.

[cinnathepoet]

Quite a pair! Watch out, Linda.

[CommandoFrank]

"What if they gave a speech, and nobody noticed?"

Speech? What speech?

[paul in cape]

Somehow I am not getting the shark reference. Can you enlighten me?

Glad to oblige.

"Jumping The Shark" is an expression coined a few years ago, starting with TV shows, which chronicled the point in time that the show took a nosedive and started heading downhill. It could still be popular, but from that point everyone knew that the show was over.

Many have expanded it to any celebrity or politician. My favorite is Ted Kennedy driving the Olds into the drink.

I'm suggesting that Daschle and Pelosi "Jumped the Shark," in that the Democrats have officially started their descent over the cliff of political relevence.

You can check out JUMP THE SHARK HERE

If anyone would like to provide his favorite JUMP THE SHARK moment, feel free to list it here.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Pre-butt-al \Pre*but"tal\, noun -

1. The act of prebutting

2. A statement made in prebutting

3. When a poitician makes a speech but thier ass gets in the way. (see Democrat)

[cinnathepoet]

Thanks. That helps. Martha Stewart's insider trading moment comes to mind.