The American Spectator

p> EVERY TOM, BOOK, AND HILLARY br> Unlike his colleague, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton , the best-selling author, Sen. Tom Daschle doesn’t shake down fellow Democrats for book sales. Very quietly, Daschle and his publicity team will embark next week on a national book tour to tout Daschle’s tome on the changing political landscape wrought by the presidency of George W. Bush. /p>

Clinton, on her book tour, offered to make appearances on behalf of Democratic candidates with the understanding that her book, entitled “Living Hysteria” (or something like that), would be sold at such events or purchased in bulk prior to her appearance.

Daschle isn’t doing any of that. In fact, he currently isn’t slated to make any appearances on behalf of Democratic candidates. “Right now, he’s only fundraising for himself,” says a Daschle adviser. “He’s expecting a tough re-election race and needs the money.”

A more cynical type might regard Daschle’s lack of collegial fundraising as a sign that party regulars don’t want to be seen with their drab minority leader, who has overseen the fall of his party from majority to minority status in the Senate.

Not true, says the aide. “There will be plenty of time to help others. This book is the chance for the leader to help himself.”