Don’t Betray the Family (Eleanor Clift says Daschle "overstepped")

MSNBC/Newsweek ^ | 3/23/03 | Eleanor Clift

[Brian Mosely]

March 21 — Only hours after President Bush sent his calling card into the heart of Baghdad, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (or his body double) appeared on television as if to taunt Bush that he missed. So began the latest chapter in the Bush family enterprise to track down and kill the man who has been their nemesis for more than a decade.

< snip >

Daschle is again in the crossfire for criticizing Bush’s failure to resolve the impasse over Iraq with diplomacy. The White House slapped down Daschle and implied he was unpatriotic. “France has a better chance of getting back in Bush’s good graces,” said one official. He called Daschle’s comment “passive-aggressive B.S.” and mused that the senator’s anger might stem from second thoughts over his decision not to run for president. What so offended Bush and his minions was Daschle saying he was “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.”

“He was saying people are going to die because the president couldn’t get his act together,” fumed the White House official. “Blatant partisan guerilla warfare is fine on taxes and Social Security, but on this one, couldn’t he just save it?” West Virginia octogenarian Robert Byrd who rails against the war on the Senate floor doesn’t offend as much because Byrd couches his criticism in a mannerly history lesson about the Constitution. Daschle’s sniping gets under Bush’s skin. “He has an amazing ability to double deal,” says a White House aide. “He’s so nice in meetings; then he goes out and nails us.”

Daschle has the skills of a good partisan leader, but this time he overstepped.

[Peach]

Never forget that Daschle said the following in '98 when Clinton passed the Iraqi Liberation Act which called for regime change in Bagdad. "Look, we have exhausted virtually our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so? ... The answer is, we don't have another option. We have got to force them to comply, and we are doing so militarily."

And what is Daschle saying now? Daschle says that he’s “.. saddened that this president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we’re now forced to go to war.”

[rs79bm]

This coming from Eleanor Clift? One of the most partisian liberals out there? I believe she is flat out lying and behind the scenes probably echoing Daschle's comments.

[FreePaul]

I'm no fan of Mara Liasson but she got in a good one this morning on the Tony Snow show. She said that Daschle complained that we are at war because Bush's diplomatic efforts failed. She further said that Daschle should realize that if Bush's diplomatic efforts were successful we would still be at war, just with a couple more allies.

[billorites]

They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People...

[JustPiper]

Bump!

The White House slapped down Daschle and implied he was unpatriotic.

[battlegearboat]

“Enjoy the fireworks, because you’re paying for them,” quipped a White House aide.

Eleanor best identify who said that or admit she made it up.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

This coming from Eleanor Clift? One of the most partisian liberals out there? I believe she is flat out lying and behind the scenes probably echoing Daschle's comments.

I don't know... I'm starting to see a division on the left between those who want what they think is best for the country, as opposed to those hate the right, more than they love their country. The former I can respect, even if they are usually wrong. The latter are scum. I'm starting to think that Clift falls into the former and I'm all but convinced that Daschle falls into the latter.

[Yardstick]

"Look, we have exhausted virtually our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so? ... The answer is, we don't have another option. We have got to force them to comply, and we are doing so militarily."

That could be a very useful quote to have handy. Do you have a source?

[Cicero]

Let's not get carried away. This article is full of bile and venom directed at the Bush administration. All she's saying is that Daschle miscalculated and damaged the cause. He should have done his dirty work more carefully.

[vetvetdoug]

I cannot believe this is coming from Eleanor "I'd give Clinton a blow j" Clift. This has got to be some kind of error.

[M-cubed]

That quote needs to be brought up every time his name is mentioned!...shows him exactly for what he is!

[tiki]

Screw him, and the French and the Russians. Daschle cares about Daschle and his stature (LOL) in the party of the Dims. He doesn't care one whit about any other American citizen. He doesn't care about blacks, he only cares that he sounds good to blacks so they'll vote Dimocrat. He doesn't care about anything but his paltry ego and the power he might wield if ever they could get a majority.

Like the Dixie Chicks, he is now insignificant toast.

[waRNmother.armyboots]

You must read the entire article. She gets her blows in.

[CyberAnt]

Well ... in the first place the statement made by Daschle came directly from Hitlery. I was convinced of that when the DNC sent an email to it's people asking them to support Daschle's statement. Don't ever forget McAwful is heading the DNC, and he was HANDPICKED by Hitlery and x42. When Terry says something, it comes directly from them.

Now ... for Eleanor to come out with this and say it was over the top - really isn't saying much because Eleanor never SAYS WHAT THE TRUTH IS - and why the statement was over the top.

Sooooo ... this is not Eleanor siding against Daschle - she's just trying to smooth things over because Hitlery really stepped in it with this extreme statement. Eleanor is just trying to make us believe some democrats do not agree with what Daschle said. However, we know the truth.

[cubreporter]

That line frosts me. DON'T LET HIM GO OUT AND NAIL US!!!! Speak up!!! For every time he goes out and says something we should come back 110% and show him for what he is. Where have all the men gone??????

[solo gringo]

Daschle Is carrying the clintons dirty laundry.Daschle does not have the brains to do this on his own.The clintons know daschle is not going to run for president so he carryies Hillary dirty laundry for her so she will have clean hands for a run for president.daschle is so dumb and let the clintons hang him he is out as senator from S/D.No one in thier rite mind will vote for the ground hog from S/D.Mark my word.

[The Great RJ]

Even South Dakota's most liberal news media blasted Daschle on his remarks. What will really be his undoing is that he will get NOTHING from President Bush--and if he can't bring home the political bacon in the next 2 years he's toast for sure with the farm/ranch vote.

[Salvation]

Eleanor Clift said this?

About Daschle?

Fainting............................................