By David Kranz Argus Leader

published: 11/6/02

A power shift in the U.S. Senate will bring some noticeable changes, including a more aggressive attitude toward Saddam Hussein, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said Wednesday.

Daschle lost his leadership position soon after Republicans took control of the Senate in a surprising national election-night success.

“It is too early to tell what will happen on Iraq, but you will probably see a far more hawkish position and confrontational tone to their approach,” Daschle said.

Daschle credited President Bush with a wise approach to campaigning, traveling around the country and communicating a message that stirred voters into action.

“The president ought to feel good this morning, and I congratulate him. We had a president who talked a lot about 9-11, the war in Iraq, and North Korea. It precluded us from breaking through, talking about issues like the economy, education and health care,” he said.

The biggest immediate concern under the new Republican Senate power structure is the absence of a balance of power, Daschle said.

“We aren’t going away, though. We’re going to keep standing up for what we believe, even if we are in the minority,” he said.

Even though the election results mean a demotion, Daschle said he still wants the party’s minority leader job.

“I do plan to run for the leadership. In some ways, it is more important now that I do it,” he said.

But Daschle said the defeat hasn’t motivated him in any direction as he decides his political future.

He has said he will explore three options, including seeking re-election, running for president or retiring. That decision will be made sometime early next year.

Eight years ago this week, Daschle experienced a similar disappointment when Republicans took control of the Senate.

He had planned to return to Washington in November 1994 to seek the majority leader’s job, only to find himself running for the minority position because of the change in Senate makeup.

“I remember that night, but this one is much more difficult. I didn’t know a lot of those senators well that year, but I have worked closely with these people. This is more personal,” he said. “I’ve been in this job for a long time, but this is the worst night I have had.”

Daschle said he feels especially bad for former Vice President Walter Mondale of Minnesota, who was called upon to step out of retirement and replace Sen. Paul Wellstone on the ballot. Wellstone died in a plane crash just days before the election. Mondale was defeated by Republican Norm Coleman.

During the day Tuesday, Daschle made a point of talking to all the Democratic candidates battling for Senate seats. Most of them lost.

“They were all optimistic that they were going to win. What happened was a surprise. I didn’t see it coming,” he said.

In hindsight, Daschle said, he wouldn’t change the party’s strategy.

“I can’t think of anything we would have done differently. I wouldn’t change anything,” he said. “We had wonderful candidates, good resources. It just wasn’t our night.”

He said he accepts responsibility for the losses.

“Absolutely, I must do that,” he said. “It is something we must accept.”

Ironically, the only hotly contested race the Democrats won was Sen. Tim Johnson’s squeaker victory over Rep. John Thune in South Dakota.

But the narrow margin will almost certainly lead to a recount.

Daschle knows that process well. His first House race in 1978 was subject to a long recount and court battle. He eventually was declared the winner, more than a year after the vote.

Johnson will probably find himself in a recount situation and face a possible challenge to the vote totals after that.

If there is a challenge, it would be decided by the U.S. Senate, making Tuesday’s change in leadership even more significant.

Daschle says he doesn’t see the same fate for Johnson.

“I think the recount will be definitive. I don’t think it will have to go to the Senate,” Daschle said.

-- Anonymous, November 06, 2002