2008 Woodie Awards
Bob Dole, Tom Daschle speak at De Anza
FORMER U.S. SENATE LEADERS DISCUSS IRAQ WAR, POLITICS
Dan Sealana
Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: News
Former United States senators Bob Dole and Tom Daschle spoke about the upcoming mid-term elections and national politics last week at De Anza College's Flint Center. The two former leaders appeared Wednesday for the first of three scheduled engagements with the Celebrity Forum Speakers Series.
During his opening speech Wednesday, Daschle said that there is an "heir of pessimism" in the United States regarding politics. He said that when traveling through the U.S., one major topic people discuss with him is the Iraq war.
"Iraq comes up over and over again," Daschle said. "You see a lot of concern about Afghanistan, as well." Daschle said that the biggest domestic issue facing Americans is health care.
He said that the U.S. is at 35th place in the world when it comes to health care. "How many people would be satisfied if we came in 35th in the Olympics?"
In his opening remarks Wednesday, Bob Dole said his most significant memory of California was falling off a stage at Chico State University in 1996.
Dole, the Republican presidential candidate who ran against President Clinton, had visited the campus during campaigning.
"I lost that election, in case that hasn't trickled out here yet." Dole said.
He predicted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be reelected on Tuesday, but that Democrats will win about five to six more governorships throughout the United States. Dole said he wasn't sure how the congressional races would turn out.
Dole said that the war in Iraq is the biggest issue plaguing Republicans. He said, "In my view, history will judge if [Bush] did the right thing."
"Whether Democrats win on Tuesday, whether Republicans win on Tuesday, we're still going to have a problem [with Iraq]."
A common theme touched on by both Dole and Daschle was the idea that politics should be about ideas and not personal attacks. Dole said the Republicans made a mistake when they tried to impeach President Clinton.
"Your adversary is your opponent, not your enemy," Dole said.
During his opening speech Wednesday, Daschle said that there is an "heir of pessimism" in the United States regarding politics. He said that when traveling through the U.S., one major topic people discuss with him is the Iraq war.
"Iraq comes up over and over again," Daschle said. "You see a lot of concern about Afghanistan, as well." Daschle said that the biggest domestic issue facing Americans is health care.
He said that the U.S. is at 35th place in the world when it comes to health care. "How many people would be satisfied if we came in 35th in the Olympics?"
In his opening remarks Wednesday, Bob Dole said his most significant memory of California was falling off a stage at Chico State University in 1996.
Dole, the Republican presidential candidate who ran against President Clinton, had visited the campus during campaigning.
"I lost that election, in case that hasn't trickled out here yet." Dole said.
He predicted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be reelected on Tuesday, but that Democrats will win about five to six more governorships throughout the United States. Dole said he wasn't sure how the congressional races would turn out.
Dole said that the war in Iraq is the biggest issue plaguing Republicans. He said, "In my view, history will judge if [Bush] did the right thing."
"Whether Democrats win on Tuesday, whether Republicans win on Tuesday, we're still going to have a problem [with Iraq]."
A common theme touched on by both Dole and Daschle was the idea that politics should be about ideas and not personal attacks. Dole said the Republicans made a mistake when they tried to impeach President Clinton.
"Your adversary is your opponent, not your enemy," Dole said.
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