Dem observer: Daschle's position "hurt his effectiveness at home and in Washington"

I missed an interesting article in the Washington Times this past week headlined "Capitol Hill leadership."  The following passage in the article really jumped off the page:

Democratic Byron Dorgan of North Dakota tested the waters to run for the whip post, but also demurred. His situation is instructive. Watching Mr. Daschle lead an increasingly partisan and liberal caucus in Washington, representing a red state where President Bush garnered 60 percent was frustrating — a tension many believe led to his electoral demise. "It hurt his effectiveness at home and in Washington," a Democratic lobbyist told me.