Lately, the Dems have gotten excercised by the news that Sinclair Broadcast Group, the corporate owner of several television stations located in swing states, has ordered the stations to broadcast "Stolen Honor." "Stolen Honor" is a documentary of various POWs explaining that John Kerry's actions during the Vietnam War lengthened their imprisonment and increased their torture. One of the POWs shown in the documentary is Leo Thorsness, a Medal of Honor recipient who ran for Congress against Tom Daschle in 1978 and lost by 139 votes.
The AP reports in an article headlined "Dems Object to Airing of Anti-Kerry Film" that "18 Democratic senators sent a letter to the Federal Communication Commission asking that it investigate whether Sinclair's plan was an improper use of public airwaves."
I was curious to see if Senator Daschle was one of the eighteen senators who signed this letter, particularly in light of the fact that the letter is an attempt to squelch Leo Thorsness's speech. Daschle's name is not on the letter, but it's interesting to note who did sign the letter. Here's the list, according to Senator Feinstein's press release:
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Byron Dorgan (D-ND)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Bill Nelson (D-NE)
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Carl Levin (D-MI)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Bob Graham (D-FL)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Tim Johnson (D-SD)
Harry Reid (D-NV)
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Ernest Hollings (D-SC)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
It's interesting to observe that some of Daschle's closest allies signed this letter, but the Democratic leader didn't sign it. This could be an indication that Daschle senses his vulnerability in a close race, and doesn't want to do ANYTHING that could lose him votes. It seems that Senator Feinstein has taken the lead on this development, and it can't sit well with the Democratic rank and file to see the person who should be taking the lead on this completely abdicating his leadership role. If Daschle manages to eke out a victory and Bush wins, these Democratic rank and file types will want Daschle out of his leadership role.
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