February 8, 2002
Dems Leaderless, Rudderless
By
Tom Bevan
The saying "war changes everything" could be considered
an understatement in the world of politics. Just five short months
ago, Democrats were united behind the "soft-spoken,"
hyperpartisan Tom Daschle and beginning to tear at George W. Bush
and his policies. Both parties were gearing up for battle, looking
for an edge in the 2002 elections. Now Bush is untouchable, hovering
high over Congress' head with incredible approval ratings on everything
from the war to the economy.
Part of the problem for Democrats is that while Bush has risen,
gobbling up headlines and blotting out the political sun like
an eclipse, Democrats have failed to find anyone capable of rising
with him. Since 9/11, Bush has connected with the American people
in a visceral way, reflecting the public's feelings and earning
their trust with simple, straightforward talk. Democrats have
made no such connection. Without a charismatic, forceful, and
sincere leading voice, Democrats are suffering in comparison to
the President and losing ground with the American people on a
whole host of issues.
By most accounts, Tom Daschle is a smooth operator in the Senate.
But recent attempts trying to take on the President have been
abysmal failures. Just before Christmas, Daschle tried to played
hardball with Bush over the economic stimulus bill. Bush outfoxed
Daschle by declaring a compromise with enough votes to pass both
chambers of Congress, and when the bill died Daschle was effectively
tagged as an obstructionist. Then, in a highly publicized speech
on Friday, January 4, Daschle tried to take on Bush over issue
of taxes, declaring that Bush's tax package was responsible for
the deficit and implying it should be repealed. By the time Daschle
arrived at his office on Monday, Bush had swatted him down publicly
with his "over my dead body" pledge and Daschle had
split his own caucus in two.
Other Democrat "leaders" are not faring much better.
Dick Gephardt's high profile of late (rebuttal to the State of
the Union, Fox News appearance, speech to the DLC) has done little
to help remake him as a "moderate." John Kerry's signature
issues, opposing national missile defense and drilling in ANWR,
don't carry much weight with the public post 9/11. Even Joe Lieberman
can't make news by going to Bush's right on military tribunals
and invading Iraq. Nor is the former "Conscience of the Senate"
ringing up much political benefit from his Senate Enron investigation.
These men simply do not have the "star power" to take
on a President, let alone a War President with an 85% approval
rating. It's not an easy job. Still, Democrats have to be disheartened
by the fact that they have failed to isolate any policy issue
on which Bush is truly vulnerable. It looks increasingly like
Democrats will be forced to bide their time and pray that the
economy takes another dip this summer.
With generic polls showing Republicans running well above their
historical average, Democrats need to find an issue and a leader
who can connect with the American people and lead them through
the mid-term elections. They need someone who can generate headlines,
unite their caucus and be a standard bearer for the '04 Presidential
race. It sounds crazy, but the answer might lie in a bearded man
roaming the mountains of Tennessee muttering about a "lock
box."
Tom
Bevan writes for RealClearPolitics.
