Reply #15: Just to clarify [View All]

[gottaB]

I meant no disrespect to Ted Kennedy, who has been a defacto leader of Democrats in the Senate, and a voice of conscience for the nation. My argument is that anybody who assumes a leadership position will tend to become controversial, especially in times of thick fighting and acrimony. Vulnerable seats will always be targeted by the other party, and the vulnerable will tend to rely upon strategies of accommodation, eschewing direct confrontations.

Weakness of position is not weakness of character.

I agree that having somebody in Daschle's position as Leader is not ideal, but several years ago Daschle's position seemed more secure. The other party systematically undermined Daschle's position. It frustrates me that some Democratic partisans don't seem to get that.