For an excellent, detailed analysis of the debate, be sure to see Ryne McClaren's post on the subject. DVT also has a lot of great insights.
Here's the cold transcript of the debate.
After reviewing the tape of this morning's debate between Senator Daschle and John Thune on "Meet the Press," and getting insights from friends, the overall sentiment is that the debate was a wash. Thune got a few whacks in, and so did Daschle. Daschle was definitely more aggressive this time around, at one point waving a pen a few inches from Thune's face, constantly trying to interrupt Thune, and even grabbing Thune's forearm. It was very uncharacteristic for Daschle, and he came off more like a yapping chihuahua than as this high-powered, illustrious leader of the Senate. Daschle's attempts at condescension also fell flat.
Interestingly, Tom Daschle had it both ways when discussing the Wall Street Journal's news and editorial pages. First, Daschle said the WSJ's news and editorial pages were not a source he would quote:
So whether you read [the Wall Street Journal's] editorial page, which has come out virtually against South Dakota on everything that matters to them, or you read their news pages, which says it's the Republicans who can't get their act together, is up to you. But that's not a source I would quote.
Then, later in the debate, Daschle quotes the WSJ as a credible source:
It's special interest provisions that bailed out some oil companies and special interests, chemical manufacturers that even the Republicans--you look at The Wall Street Journal, The Wall Street Journal said the other day that some of the Republican senators had a commitment from Bill Frist that they would not even bring up the energy bill as long as those special interest provisions were in the bill.
Many are wondering if Tom Daschle actually shed a tear after Russert asked about some of the harsh criticism Daschle has received.
Daschle did a good job of not answering Russert's questions, while John Thune was much more direct in responding to Russert's questions. It's probably more difficult for Thune to fight the Midwestern instinct to respond directly to questions. Daschle, of course, has become a creature of Washington, and is much more adept at dodging difficult questions.
Finally, sources say Daschle was sitting on a big blue pillow during the debate.
UPDATE: Reuters has a report headlined "Senate Foes Daschle, Thune Swaps Barbs in Debate."
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