Where's the clout?

Once again, Tom Daschle sends along a press release taking credit for a bill he voted against, which is reprinted verbatim in a local newspaper: "Senate approves $50,000 for Hand County Memorial Hospital." He blames the delay of country of origin labeling (COOL) as the reason he voted against the bill, which only leads one to ask what kind of clout Tom Daschle has when he is steamrolled by those opposed to COOL.

It's also relevant to know that Tom Daschle voted against the Medicare Reform bill, which appropriated millions of dollars to help rural hospitals.