"Democrats now appear to have a fighting chance at gaining the majority"

[papau]

I liked the line: "Democrats now appear to have a fighting chance at gaining the majority" in the Senate

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-decorum21may21,1,4149606.story?coll=la-politics-pointers

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Senate Leader Frist to Campaign Against Daschle
In an unusual move, the GOP lawmaker will go to South Dakota to back the minority leader's rival. Colleagues say it erodes decorum.

By Richard Simon, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — In the Senate chamber, the rules of decorum prohibit senators from speaking ill of one another. Even in today's highly partisan atmosphere, they refer to each other as "the esteemed gentleman from Tennessee" and "my good friend from South Dakota."

But outside the chamber, anything goes. Thus, Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), in a rare action for a Senate majority leader, is headed to South Dakota on Saturday to campaign for the defeat of his Democratic counterpart, Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

The unusual trip underscores the bare-knuckle fight being waged in about 10 states for control of the narrowly divided Senate. It is a battle that has heightened tensions in the chamber and contributed to legislative paralysis in the Senate this year.

"It's an election year," said Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, Frist's predecessor as Republican leader. "The Senate is very close. Everybody wants to be in control. It's not going to be pretty." <snip>

But for the Democrats to gain control of the Senate, they must hold onto some, if not most, of the seats being vacated by retiring Democrats in five Southern states. That won't be easy; Bush won all five — Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida — in 2000. Democrats see opportunities to pick up seats in other states, including Illinois, Colorado, Oklahoma and Alaska.<snip>

[northzax]

1. I have a friend who works for Sen Daschle

and their reaction to Bill Frist coming to S Dakota? they laugh. they think it's funny.

[wryter2000]

2. Frist and Hastert

How I'd love to see those two give up their power in Congress.

[FloridaPat]

3. If the Democrats had a real backbone, no one would admit to

voting for a republican in the next 100 years. They are slime. They are war criminals, they are against the Constitution and should be arrested for treason. Where is the Democrats mouth accusing them???