Daschle Turns Purple

--Tsk, Tsk, tsk, what Democrats won’t do to get re-elected.

Here is the transcript of Tom Daschle’s latest campaign ad:

Daschle: Tonight, the President has called us again to greatness, and tonight we answer that call.

Narrator: In our country’s hour of need, Tom Daschle made us proud.

Senator Dick Durbin: Tom Daschle called us together and said, “We have to keep this nation safe and secure.” I thought that was one of his finest moments. He really said in those moments what all of us felt, that before we are Democrats, before we are Republicans, we’re Americans.

Senator Carl Levin: Tom Daschle has a great inner strength and toughness, which is why Tom is such a great leader.

Narrator: Senator Daschle helped forge a consensus to rebuild our military.

Headline: Daschle: Time to unite behind troops, Bush.

On Screen: Daschle and President Bush hug on House floor.

Narrator: Tom won significant increases in homeland security and helped provide law enforcement new tools to track down terrorists

Headline: Daschle, mayors pitch homeland security.

Headline: Daschle calls for more body armor for South Dakota soldiers in Iraq.

Narrator: And no one has done more to get our troops the equipment they need or ensure our veterans are taken care of when they return home

Headline: Senator Daschle receives “Unsung Hero” award from American Legion

Daschle: I’m Tom Daschle and I approve this ad, because a strong military and a strong America is the best way to fight terrorism.

A lot is being made about the picture of Daschle and President Bush embracing. One amused GOP official guffawed that, “Senator Daschle now concedes supporting the President can score him votes in the fall!”

Well, duh – South Dakota isn’t exactly a battleground state, much less “blue.” What strikes me about the Daschle ad is that it comes across like it was Daschle who led the charge into Afghanistan and Iraq while George Bush was just “along for the ride” or something.

Shouldn’t be too difficult for John Thune to point out how Daschle spent the balance of 2001 obstructing Bush’s first defense appropriations request, or how he spent the balance of 2002 blocking the President’s homeland security proposal on behalf of the public employee unions.

After all, I understand Max Cleland is in need of somebody to push his wheelchair around in case its motor breaks down.