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.

[gundog]

I listen to talk radio (and am a charter listener to Rush's show) and if Tommy wants to have a tantrum and blame me and my ilk for all the troubles that are befalling his precious left-wing agenda, fine. I'd like a little credit. And he can consider 2002 a small down payment on the ass-kicking they're gonna get in 2004.

[zingzang]

"They want to act because they get emotionally invested."

People tend to get that way when jerks like this make everyone financially invested in the tax and spend policies he likes to implement. Once again this shows how Daschle continues to operate in his own verision of reality.

[Dark Wing]

Rush hasn't done more than ridicule Daschle.

Point in fact, Democrats are far more vulnerable to real hate speech than Republicans.

They also use far more of it than Republicans.

The issue here is that Democrats have finally used hate speech long enough and intensely enough that people are starting to get in their face about it. Democrats are so humor impared and frustrated that ther franchise to political power is gone, that they are becoming unhinged.

[FryingPan101]

"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." He is absoltely without balance. He's sick and he's little...and he's a cry baby...and he's a loser. THUNE vs DASCHLE? Is that what this is all about, Tommy?

[man from mars]

This is an attemp to weaken Republician turn out in LA. This will also firer up the democrat minority turnout for Sentor Landieu. He states there were a threat to is life and family. Were are the Secret Service agents reports to back up is claim. How many accual attemps were on Nixon, Ford, Regan, Bush 1, and Bush 2. There are wakos on both sides. They (the Democrat) have inflamed the retoric since Bill Clinton. I have only heard the two antrax letters were a attemps on a Sentor in years. Threats and attemps are very different.

[Backwoods Southern Lawyer]

How about Mr. Baldwin's expressed desire to stone Henry Hyde? How about the Clinton thugs who harassed every witness against him? How about, "You'd better put some ice on that lip"? How about Gore's lurking over Bush and trying to stare him down in their debates? How about the DNC's ads indicating that Bush was complicit in the draging death of a black man in Texas? Hell, we are babes when it comes to inciting violence.

[FreeTheHostages]

"Yep...here in Central Virginny, we've had an outbreak of Earth Liberation Front vandalism wherein the break windows and slash tires of SUVs"

It's probably Rush's fault . . .

[MEGoody]

"Should we condone threats against public officials?"

No, whether they be Democrat or Republican.

[dennisw]

That despicable little Tommy snot has all kinds of security while we peasants have to fend for ourselves. Then the gun grabbing Da$$holes of the world try to trash our Second Amendment rights.

[MEGoody]

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

Could have, maybe. Should have? I think Daschle does a good enough job - Lott doesn't need to do a thing.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

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

Sounds like Daschle is trembling his lid, before flipping it. Best thing Lott can do is quietly stand back and let it happen.

[Republic]

Knowing how daschle lies-seems to me it would be rather evident that proof of such threats might be welcomed by many.

What threats, tom?

How were they delivered?

A few detail, if you please, I mean, we are rather 'troubled' and very 'concerned' that you might be lying about this ....

You see, to many of us, this sounds like the rusty awakening of hillarys 'vast right wing conspiracy' blather---you know----ya gotta blame your losses on someone, and it is just so darned easy to blame um on some ambiguous group of right wing radicals.

So....ante up tommy, don't 'squander' your words, swimming in a sea of innuendo, ante up with some facts. Or, SHUT UP!

[snickeroon]

What do you bet that these "threats," are the promises of voters who will not vote for him again! What is more threatening to a control freak.

[canadiancapitalist]

Your absolutely right. If Democrats ever regain the majority in the Senate the first thing they'll do is revive the Fairness Doctrine.

[Cicero]

I don't remember Reuters comlaining when a Democrat actor got on national TV during the impeachment debate and called on his listeners to go out and shoot Henry Hyde and all his family.

I sincerely doubt that el Rushbo has ever advocated violence of any kind. What flaming hypocrites.

[jwalsh07]

More Campaign Finance Reform coming this way as soon as the dims get control of something. Hate Speech will be expanded to radio talk show hosts, the 60 day rule will apply to "conservative" commentators and rightthink will be the law of the land.

Orwell would love Tom Daschle.

[chiller]

Who in theee HELL do these Democrats think they are?

Its not fair to critize them, and their deceit?

An NRO columist said recently, "Democrat philosopy needs no justification" , supposedly because their cause is "just." Maybe that gets to the point.

Because they supposedly stick up for the
little guy they deserve more than fair treatment.
(favorable judicial rulings, media cover, etc.)
The Democratic party that once-upon-a-time stood
up for the little guy has been missing for more than
20 years. They don't deserve S**T !. Well, maybe they do.

This angers the hell out of me.

[kitkat]

***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.***

I respectfully disagree. The public is tired of the name throwing and mud slinging. Let the Dems spew their poison. The Repubs benifit from behaving well.

[princess leah]

"...PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENTERTAINMENT AND POLITICS" GEE, that sound like Barbra Streisand and company, Tommy! Personally I have found RECENT POLITICS VERY ENTERTAINING ~ say since November 5,2002!

[Republic]

What do you bet that these "threats," are the promises of voters who will not vote for him again!

ROFLMAO! Yeah, good point. To tommy poo, that would probably classify as a violent threat (to his livlihood, anyway!). Geeeeeez. I wanna see proof that this little nutcase, this whiner par excellance really, truly was threatened. I find it so 'troublesome' (lol) that we do not have any factual data...hehe