Daschle comes unglued

I spent the weekend in the Black Hills. I did watch the Daschle/Thune debate on Meet the Press in the motel. I think this could be the first time a politician stated his opponent deserves a spanking.

Taking John to the woodshed was part of Daschle's response when under pressure for his statement on the eve of the Iraq war. Here is the statement taken from a USATODAY report:

"I'm saddened, saddened that this president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we're now forced to war," Daschle said in a speech to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. "Saddened that we have to give up one life because this president couldn't create the kind of diplomatic effort that was so critical for our country."

After Daschle’s tirade was over Tim Russert put the discussion back in topic:

Do you regret the day before the war saying that the president had failed miserably?

Daschle admitted this:

I could have found a different time to say it.

So Daschle admits that just before a war, it is bad timing to attack the Commander in Chief. Why? Could it be that such statements may show that America is not fully committed? Would America’s lack of resolve give encouragement to the enemy? I say that’s possible, and within a couple of weeks, the Argus Leader announced no more letters to the editor regarding Daschle’s position. This was a big embarrassment.

But I was not surprised to see Daschle attack the messenger when his not so pleasant record is brought forward. That’s his main campaign strategy. But I was shocked to hear him whine like a little kid who is being picked on. Tommy says daddy should spank Johnny. How immature.

What happened was the big bad obstructionist bully could not handle the consequences of his attack on the American Commander in Chief on the eve of war. If Daschle was not just putting on an act, then he is has definitely become too thin skinned to be left in politics. It’s time to dump Daschle.

UPDATE: DVT has some analysis of the debate. So does Quentin. And so does Ryne. SDP has a Word on the Street post on a possible reason for Daschle's insecurity. Perhaps time is running out for the paranoid.