The American Spectator

Lott could use a victory. He had to sit and watch helplessly as Democrats and some in his own party killed Bush proposals to allow drilling in the Alaskan wildlife refuge. “The Democrats didn’t even need a filibuster. It was pathetic to watch it go down like that without a fight,” says another Republican Senate staffer. “It’s a sad day when guys like Paul Wellstone and John Kerry have a good day. But there was nothing we could do.”

With the killing of Arctic drilling, Daschle had a pretty good few days. He especially liked giving Daley a call about the airport funding, in part because he’s been hoping to get some backing from the Daley family for his presidential bid. “The airport thing helps,” says the Daschle staffer. “Daley really wants it, and he can’t get it without Daschle. So it’s one favor to call in down the road.”

p> TRADER TOM br> Anyone who thought becoming Senate Majority Leader wouldn’t help Tom Daschle in his presidential bid need only know that last week the man from South Dakota sat down with high-tech lobbyists and executives to discuss whether he would allow legislation giving the Bush Administration the authority to hold fast track foreign trade negotiations. It’s something the Bushies have been pushing for months, but which Senate Democrats have blocked. /p>

Interestingly, the Electronic Industries Alliance, one of the high-tech industry’s larger special interest organizations, did not hold similar private meetings with Republicans. Perhaps that’s because the president of EIA is former Democratic Rep. Dave McCurdy.

Last presidential election, Al Gore picked up huge amounts of money from the high-tech sector. Already, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry has been wooing the Silicon Valley crew for funds. But Daschle can actually give that still-struggling industrial sector something for their backing. “That’s why we talk to Daschle and not to Kerry or to any of the Republicans,” says a lobbyist for a large high-tech firm based in the Washington, D.C. area. “Daschle’s the only guy worth dealing with on the Hill. And if he comes through for us, then he deserves some credit and some backing down the road for his future endeavors.”

Daschle seems to know the drill. Attendees at his meeting report the Senate leader promised to get to the trade authority bill before May 15.