# Daschle's Amusing Little Hissy-Fit Today... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 25, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676 "2002-09-25T21:25:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/21 "2002-09-26T11:00:41Z")
I thought he had laryngitis. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/22 "2002-09-26T11:58:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\* > And nobody knows “spin” better’n you, eh, Lucy? \*\* Not as well as you know irrelevent, _ad hominem_ bullshit, eh, **'poofe** ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/23 "2002-09-26T14:35:01Z")
Here’s what the Chicago Tribune is quoting Bush as saying: > [@](#): > > The House responded, but the Senate is more interested in special interests in Washington and not interested in the security of the American people. I will not accept a Department of Homeland Security that does not allow this president and future presidents to better keep the American people secure Daschle also quoted other members of Bush’s team for trying to emphasize that Republicans = Security, Democrats = Weakness. Matthew Dowd, a White House pollster, stated that using the war would “put the Republicans on a very good footing.” Daschle also cited Andrew Card, White House Chief of Staff, who, when asked why the issue of potential war comes up now, rather than earlier, responded “From a marketing point of view, you don’t introduce new products in August.” Daschle also cited a Kansas newspaper that covered Dick Cheney’s fundraising speech, that ran a headline: “Cheney talks about War, electing Taff would aid War Effort.” It’s pretty clear the Republicans are trying their best to politicize the issue by painting anybody who disagrees with Bush as being “not interested in the security of the American people.” Prior to Bush’s speech, they were only hinting around it, but Bush’s speech came right out and said it. And I think Daschle had every right to respond to Bush’s bullshit comments the way he did. You don’t like his oratory style? Wow, that’s a great reason to dismiss the substance. But you can’t expect somebody not to respond when the President (I can’t remember, where was he during the Vietnam war?) makes such clearly insulting comments to war veterans like Daniel Inouye. The homeland security act, as Bush wants it passed, would give the President way too much power. Regardless of how you feel about the need to attack Iraq, that is no reason to sidestep the Constitution. And Bush’s comment were disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/24 "2002-09-26T14:39:16Z")
You know, it’s possible Daschle was sincere and that he was just offended by what Bush said. Daschle is a veteran himself, and I can understand him being offended by the implication that he and other Senate Democrats don’t care about national security, or would put partisan interests ahead of the welfare of the country. It’s been my experience that if you question someone’s actions based on the facts, they don’t get too insulted. While no one likes to hear, “I think you were wrong when you said/did that”, most people can accept that kind of criticism. However, when you question someone’s motives, they usually take offense at that. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/25 "2002-09-26T14:45:27Z")
_Ultimate Lurker Award, Lifetime Achievement:_ **Virtuosity** Registered - September, 2000. First post - September, 2002. Next post - who knows? Daschle was using a scary voice. Hold me. Bush choosing his words inexactly - NEVER! It must be a carefully crafted brilliant ploy, unless we are painting him as stupid at that moment. Sorry, I can’t take partisan bickering seriously. > [@](#): > > RedFury: …and the Supremes… You lefties sure do give the Florida Supreme Court a lot of deference between insults about every other part of the state and its government. EQUAL PROTECTION: know it, learn it, live it. Every other lawyer I spoke with at the time agreed that there were real problems in recounting select counties in a statewide election absent clearly localized fraud or mechanical error. Gore used bad tactics based on fear, simple as that. Gore chose to lose the 2000 court battle by cherry-picking in a craven manner. He could have won with a statewide recount. Nobody will ever know, of course. The election was simply too close. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/26 "2002-09-26T16:22:12Z")
I thought Daschle came across badly. FNC also showed a sound bite from Senator Robert Byrd that was even more embarassing. The Democrats would be well-advised to hide Byrd in a cave somewhere. ISTM that Bush wins this PR battle hands down. As has been pointed out, the Democrats had their facts wrong. Also, Bush is talking about protecting the public – that is _protecting us_. The Dems were talking about their widdoo feewings being hurt. Which does the public care about more – the security of ourselves and our loved ones or some politicians being dissed? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/27 "2002-09-26T16:39:22Z")
Now watch as, rather predictably, December regurgitates the “Republicans = Safety, Democrats = weakness” line. ---
**Author:** ![hawthorne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@hawthorne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawthorne)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/28 "2002-09-26T16:54:10Z")
> [@](#): > > _december_ > Also, Bush is talking about protecting the public – that _is protecting us._ Oh, that’s ok then. Hand me that blank cheque. Any argument to the contrary must be from traitors. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/29 "2002-09-26T17:09:53Z")
> [@](#): > > It literally makes me ill that Babybush talks about killing human beings with the same regard he’d give a mosquito. All for his/their own deranged and self-promoting agenda. And pray tell, o’ enlightened one, just what might that agenda be? A desire to secure to the American people the means necessary to the “purusit of life, liberty, and happiness?” I’m not so sure I’m in favor of Bush’s _methods_, but his declared _goal_ is certainly laudable. Every state claims the right of self-preservation. If it’s eat, or be eaten, I know where I stand. Pass the gravy, please. And I gotta ask, _“literally?”_ From just what affliction do you suffer? And how do you determine Bush’s spoken words are causal? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/30 "2002-09-26T17:16:53Z")
Lemme get this straight, a politician is angry because another politician said something not nice about him and his party. On top of it, a politician is actually trying to politicize an issue, rather than discuss it rationally. This is news? This sounds more like business-as-usual to me… ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/31 "2002-09-26T17:18:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gary Kumquat \* > \*\*Now watch as, rather predictably, December regurgitates the “Republicans = Safety, Democrats = weakness” line. \*\* It’s worse than that. It’s _Democrats = childish pique._ It doesn’t matter how I react; I’ll vote Repulbican anyhow. The question I was addressing is: \* How will undecided voters react?\* ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/32 "2002-09-26T17:19:18Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > \*\* Every state claims the right of self-preservation. If it’s eat, or be eaten, I know where I stand. Pass the gravy, please._\* That’s nice, Unc. Now just remind me again where the evidence is that Iraq poses any threat to the US? Failing that, why all this talk of “eat or be eaten”? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/33 "2002-09-26T17:34:44Z")
**Uncle Beer:** > [@](#): > > And pray tell, o’ enlightened one, just what might that agenda be? Well, the retention, augmentation and perpetuation of thier political power. Thought that rather obvious. Who? **RedFury**? Oh, I thought he had addressed the question to me. ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/34 "2002-09-26T17:39:39Z")
Not to mention that the blank check involves being able to fire civil servants at any time for any reason. Bush’s “Homeland Security” bill has as the main point of contention that “Homeland Security” employees don’t have the job protection that nearly every other worker, federal or not, in the US has. If Bush would allow due process to fire a civil servant who might, gee, I dunno, disagree with his administration’s policy, he might see his new beauraucratic addition to the government (anyone else see the irony here?) get set up. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/35 "2002-09-26T17:46:28Z")
RedFury: > [@](#): > > \*\*It literally makes me ill that Babybush talks about killing human beings with the same regard he’d give a mosquito. All for his/their own deranged and self-promoting agenda. \*\* So how do you feel about the tens of thousands of mosquitos Saddam Hussein has swatted, within his country and without? And what do you suppose should be done about it? Strongly worded UN Security Council resolutions? Been there, done that. The Al Qaeda detainees the U.S. is now interviewing are providing more and more information about the connections between Iraq and the terrorist organization. [Cite](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,64110,00.html) That sinking feeling those championing continued inaction on Iraq are experiencing is their case crumbling out from under their feet. Anyone who doesn’t consider what Hussein has done, hasn’t done and will do as matters that should be of urgency to the United States is an idiot, and I am glad they are as irrelevant as they are to the decision-making process. That said, Bush’s comment, even in the context of the Homeland Security legislation, and not Iraq, was inappropriate. Having differences of opinion on how to best address security issues in a post-9/11 world does not equal one side is more interested in security than another. I’m not sure Bush meant to imply that, but he came too close for comfort, just the same. Those who don’t want to do anything on either subject should be flat-out ashamed of themselves. But those who have thought-out positions that differ, but that both strive to address areas of legitmate concern, should not be labeled as less patriotic, less concerned for national security, or anything else. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/36 "2002-09-26T17:48:35Z")
Gary, there’s plenty of evidence the Iraqi regime is actively and aggressively pursuing the acquistion and manufacture of weapons of mass destruction. You can ask the previous U.N. inspection team, if you don’t believe me. As for the specific threat, well, there’s that little assassination attempt against the U.S president a number of years ago. Not to mention that the man is a threat to the delicate stability of the Middle East—an area of the world that the U.S., as well as Europe, considers strategically vital. Further, there’s ample evidence of Hussein’s monetary and logistic support of several terror organizations who have publicly announced there hatred of the United States. Surely all this hasn’t passed you by. Here’s a U.S. State Depatment report on Iraq - released December 1999. There’s much other interesting reading at this site - not all of it from the Dubya era. [http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/nea/iraq/iraq99.htm](http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/nea/iraq/iraq99.htm) You can sum this up in any way you want. My calculus leads to the inevitable conclusion that Saddam intends harm to the United States. And in the interests of self-preservation, he’s gotta go, but, as I said, I’m not sure I support Bush’s methods (that being a military invasion of Iraq. In fact, I think, given the larger picture, it would likely be a mistake), but the world would certainly be a better and safer place without this madman at the helm of a country with a modern arsenal. There are probably, however, better ways of deposing him than an all out military confrontation. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/37 "2002-09-26T17:52:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stofsky \* > \*\*Not to mention that the blank check involves being able to fire civil servants at any time for any reason. \*\* I kind of agree with **stofsky**. There’s a good argument against depriving Homeland Security employees of normal civil service protections. There are arguments in favor as well. But, we’re not hearing much of either side – just childish rants about who owes whom an apology. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/38 "2002-09-26T18:25:28Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, the retention, augmentation and perpetuation of thier political power. Thought that rather obvious. But this trait can also be attributed to many Democrats. You are protesting something universal, but only when perpetrated by a certain segment of the whole. So what’s your beef with it again? That the Republicans wanna be re-elected? And anyway, please explain how promoting an unpopular doctrine helps any candidate in a popular election. Doesn’t seem to follow. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/39 "2002-09-26T19:26:49Z")
New recipe for South Dakota Bullshit: 1. Add poetry readings from Robert Byrds fillibustering on HSA 2. Stir in several overly influential Civil Service Employee Unions 3. Mix in a huge political gaffe by your party’s leading presidential candidate that needs covering-up 4. Blend in a combination Jack Kemp / Jack Nicolson raspy dialogue readings 5. Sprinkle in a dash of dishonesty 6. Call all the media outlets to make sure they’re ready to cover it Bake and serve ice cold. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2002, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676/40 "2002-09-26T19:42:10Z")
> [@](#): > > “The security of our country is the commitment of both political parties, and the responsibility of both elected branches of government,” Mr. Bush said in a gray and drizzly Rose Garden after conferring in the White House with several members of Congress who support his resolve to oust Saddam Hussein. [http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/26/politics/26CND-PREX.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/26/politics/26CND-PREX.html) While Bush has recognized the need for back-spin, it seems he still can’t bring himself to say “sorry”. He’d have been more convincing if he had used the word “democrat” in his retraction, or invited someone other than his cronies to the event. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daschles-amusing-little-hissy-fit-today/129676.md?page=3)