WASHINGTON (AP) -- One consequence of the impeachment case against President Clinton is the strain it has placed on his relationship with Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle.
This was never a cozy friendship, and Daschle was deeply hurt by Clinton's efforts to conceal his affair with Monica Lewinsky, say aides to the South Dakota senator.Professionally, Daschle has been an invaluable ally of Clinton's, blocking Republican initiatives, limiting congressional investigations and keeping the GOP leadership off balance.
"You have a very good sense after you talk to Daschle where the Democratic caucus is. That has not always been that way in the past," said Leon Panetta, a former Clinton chief of staff and former House member.
But the Lewinsky sex and coverup scandal has complicated things.
Daschle publicly accepted Clinton's denials of his relationship with the former White House intern. But the senator later demanded that the president stop the "legal hairsplitting" he was using to deny that he lied under oath.
Not only that, Daschle rebuffed White House requests to organize support for Clinton in the Senate, and stopped his attacks on independent counsel Kenneth Starr. Daschle said Clinton had failed "a basic understanding of the standard of truthfulness."
But Daschle now is, in effect, a foreman for Democrats serving as jurors in the Senate impeachment trial, and Clinton needs his help more than ever.
On Friday, Daschle said "now is the time" to dismiss the case and "move on to the nation's business."
The case carries risks for Daschle: how to punish Clinton, if he isn't removed from office, while making sure Democrats are not seen as defending the president's conduct or blamed for making the trial partisan. Also, both Democrats and Republicans are wary of what fallout there will be in the 2000 congressional elections.
"The party that appears to have turned this into a partisan battle potentially risks being seen as pursuing a particular agenda that is very different from the agenda of this country," said Anita Dunn, a Democratic strategist who is advising Daschle.
Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist, said he thinks Daschle "is off to a good start, keeping it bipartisan and keeping the focus on Clinton's offenses."
Clinton has called Daschle "a national resource" who's "good in a fight and . . . also good at making a principled compromise." Their ties have been strengthened by Clinton's hiring of former Daschle aides, including John Podesta, now his chief of staff, and Larry Stein, the White House congressional liaison.
The improving relationship has paid dividends for Daschle.
Last fall, just as Starr's allegations against Clinton were being made public, the White House switched positions on farm disaster relief under pressure from Daschle. Then the president vetoed the Republican-backed measure, forcing GOP leaders to add $1.7 billion. One frustrated Republican called the minority leader "President Daschle."