Daschle delivers -- for the trial lawyers

Senator Diane Feinstein recently was quoted as saying the following about Tom Daschle in The Hill:

“I don’t think Tom has ever let his responsibility to his state diminish his leadership position.”

Well, given today's debacle on the gun manufacturer immunity bill, a bill important to gun owners in South Dakota, we can observe how true it is that Tom Daschle has to tow the liberal line as Democratic leader, to the detriment of the interests of his constituents. The Hill has a report headlined "Riders sink the gun bill in 90-8 vote." Excerpt:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said she had secured a “commitment” from Daschle not to go to conference unless he received assurance that the assault-weapons ban would remain in the final bill.

Now we understand what Feinstein meant when she said Daschle doesn't let his responsibility to his state diminish his leadership position. It turns out that he doesn't let his responsibility to his state diminish his position with trial lawyers, either. Because it is the trial lawyers who win from Daschle doing his little tap-dance of adding two gun control amendments to the gun manufacturer immunity bill. And, of course, trial lawyers are the top contributors to Tom Daschle.