Thomas Daschle: “Sometime this year, our Republican colleagues will be asked, ``Tell us what you did on tobacco.'' They will say nothing.…”

“Sometime this year, our Republican colleagues will be asked, ``Tell us what you did on tobacco.'' They will say nothing. Our Republican colleagues will be asked, ``Tell us what you did on campaign reform.'' Our colleagues will say nothing. Our Republican colleagues will be asked, ``Well, tell us what you did on education; what did you do to build infrastructure; what did you do to reduce class size?'' And our Republican colleagues will have to say nothing. Our Republican colleagues are going to be asked, ``Well, tell us what did you do, then, on trying to address one of the most important health care questions our country is facing today in managed care?'' And, again, our Republican colleagues will say nothing. Mr. President, the list continues to grow. Why? Because they appear to be afraid of a debate, appear to be afraid to take this issue to its successful conclusion. If we don't go along, we don't do anything on that particular issue. That isn't the way this Senate is supposed to perform.”