While we are on the subject of public displays of affection between Democrats (Official Party Motto: "Arms are for Hugging"), there is the thing going on between Michael Moore and Tom Daschele. Daschele attended the Washington D.C. premiere of the Farenheit 9-11 movie, Moore claimed (in an article which is apparently in Time Magazine, but Moore has posted on his website) that Daschele gave him a hug.
Two weeks ago, at the Washington premiere, Moore sat a few rows behind Daschle. Afterward, says Moore, "he gave me a hug and said he felt bad and that we were all gonna fight from now on. I thanked him for being a good sport."Now Daschele is saying, in the local South Dakota paper, that this never happened and, that while he was at the 9-11 premiere, he has never even met Moore:
"I know we senators all tend to look alike. But I arrived late, and I had to leave early for Senate votes. I didn't meet Mr. Moore," Daschle said.Well, someone here is being less than truthful, and the concensus is that Moore, known liar that he is, is the guilty party. I am not so sure. Apparently Moore's film has a powerful impact on Democratic senators, for example Mary Landrieu was reported to be gushing over the film even though she voted for the Iraq war resolution. And on sober reflection Daschle, who is locked in a close re-election fight in the not-so-liberal South Dakota, might not want to be linked too closely to Michael Moore.
Why? All sorts of reasons, not the least of which is the manner in which Moore, while pretending to be oh-so-patriotic here at home, is quick to bash his countrymen when speaking to a foreign audience.
For example, look at the poster that is being used to sell Moore's film in Belgium:
I might be wrong, but I am guessing that this wouldn't play all that well in Grand Rapids.
