(Given this powerful position by the quirky Senate rules,
rules granted by the Constitution to establish internal operations but which since have evolved , it appears, to protect each senator's private motives and incumbancy ambitions in their respective states ).
Only because of Jefford's defection is Daschle able to stymy the Adminstration's attempt to govern the entire nation,for the benefit of the whole of the US, and not each personal fiefdom state.
As Daschle's leadership role is defined and motivated more as a politician than as a statesman becomes further obvious to the general public, ie, that he is not guided by Bushes desire for unity and the good of the country, but more by partisan politics , he and the democrats motives become even more transparent even to the average layman.
Most of the electorate ,I believe, despite the latest in the series of the media and the democrats attempts to belittle this basic and simple goal, are aware of democrat Daschles' tactics and is reflected by Bushes' consistantly high approval ratings.
If this conjecture is correct,and opinion by the general voting public holds, watch for a republican sweep this coming November.....
So far as legislating the Administration's agenda, we have to ask ourselves: Are we better off with Daschle's stymieing...or Lott's fumbling?
In a political sense, I believe the GOP just might have more to gain in the 2002 elections from Daschle's obstructionism than they would have had from Lott's incompetency.
Jeffords may have done us a favor...