Daschle Interview

Reporter Jennifer Sanderson of the Argus Leader asks some interesting questions of Senator Daschle today.  Here are a few:

Q: Are modern Democrats too liberal for South Dakotans? Do South Dakota Democrats need to be more conservative to win?

A: "Not at all. South Dakotans are in many ways very progressive people. I think it would be a big mistake for our party to try to be more like conservatives. ... We are the party of progressive ideas and progressive policy. The Social Security system, the Medicare system, rural electrification, highway programs, public education, equal rights – these are all progressive ideas. I still believe we have an agenda and a role today. We don't need two conservative parties. We need a progressive party and a conservative party, and we need to find as much common ground as we can, to try to resolve the differences among us. The common ground of politics is not on the far left or far right. It's in the middle."

Q: What advice do you have for Thune in that respect?

A: "I'd want to think about that a while. One thing he will get is lots of advice from a lot of people. I'm not really in a position to be giving him advice."

Q: Rep. Stephanie Herseth launched a much more conservative race than you did. Did running at the same time make you appear too liberal in contrast?

A: "I don't think that had any affect whatsoever. I think on 95 or 98 percent of the issues, we find ourselves in agreement. She's a Democrat and I'm a Democrat."

Well, of course the national Democrats are too liberal for South Dakota.  That's why Daschle kept avoiding them and Herseth ran as Barry Goldwater light.  And it's simply not true that she didn't hurt Daschle.  Some Democrats are furious with her, as the blog has reported and as they've told me personally.  But hey, it's understandable that Daschle can't say that.  Here's one more, which is rather disturbing in its arrogance (read:  'I can't believe the idiot voters did this'):

Q: How much greater would have your odds been if you'd not been the minority leader?

A: "This position of leadership has had profound consequences for South Dakota, and I have been blessed to be able to use this leadership role to put our priorities at the highest level in the Senate and in the country. I don't know that a small state like ours can fully appreciate the magnitude of what that means because they're not connected with it and not fully aware of what it means. They probably never will be, and that's OK too."