Good point podguy911. Overall, this was a fine debate. One could only wish that the President and Skerry would do as well. There are several weaknesses of Thule as a candidate but none are blatantly obvious. Daschle reveals himself as vulnerable on several issues. As far as the demeanor of both candidates it was respectful and reasoned; however, Daschle tried his best to fake sadness and tearfulness when discussing how he felt unfairly attacked on Iraq. He failed. Politicians should learn faking sincerity is extremely difficult since human nature has hard wired tuning to detect insincerity.
Rather than go over the present performance, I think it wise to look to the future. The real excitement in the debate (IMHO)came when discussing Federal Judges. Someone (preferably a 527) has to point out that the judiciary has been disenfranchising both the electorate and the Congress by their judicial fiats. In almost the same breath one has to portray Daschle as treacherously undermining judicial nominees in favor of liberal group think by using the filibuster. And, to top this off point out only Daschle, as majority and minority leader, has used this in the entire 200 plus years of the US Senate.
The whole idea is to focus adds onto issues that overtly pay and also covertly pay by casting a pall over Daschle's integrity and character. Humans are social animals and over hundreds of thousands of years have been wired for the absolute necessity of transparency and honesty in difficult situations. The judicial nominees fit this perfectly.
Another issue that fits in this vein is the one over the War in Iraq. It is wounding for Daschle to be labeled as "cutting and running." If I were Thune I would point out again, again and again he voted for the War and has done everything possible, including virtually declaring our defeat, to defeat us in war. Again, human nature, especially in small groups, values aggressive pursuit of self-interest and treasures loyalty to the cause. By focusing on the duplicity of Daschle on the war, Thune would focus on Daschle's weakness--treacherous action on the basis of political expediancy and gaining power.
All said, the best avenue of an attack on Daschle would be the judicial nominee one. The war issue may be tricky and has to be used sparingly but forthrightly where necessary.