Thomas Daschle: “The Senator from Wisconsin probably knows better than anybody in this Chamber the implications of doing nothing. No one…”

“The Senator from Wisconsin probably knows better than anybody in this Chamber the implications of doing nothing. No one has worked harder, provided greater leadership, and engendered more respect on both sides of the aisle than the Senator from Wisconsin. He is running, as am I, this year. He knows the race for dollars. He understands the implications of that race. He understands, as well, the average cost of a Senate race right now is over $4 million. He knows, as I do, that we have already surpassed last year's record-breaking levels, last cycle's record-breaking levels in the amount of money required to be successful. He knows, as I do, we will be seeing double-digit figures when it comes to what it will take to wage a successful Senate race anywhere in the country. He knows the implications of that. I must say, Mr. President, you don't need any imagination to recognize just what a devastating effect that has. I was at two fundraising breakfasts this morning, neither for myself. That is exactly what is happening all over this city and across this country--fundraiser after fundraiser, more and more money generated with implications on the legislative and political process. Where does it end? How will we possibly recruit candidates in the future when we tell them: We want you to be a part of the Democratic process, but we want you to cough up $10 million to do so if you are going to be in the U.S. Senate? How can we do that?”