The time for compromise over, a massive battle is about to unfold in the nation's capital. At its center are two hardened Senate warriors locked in a vicious dispute as chaotic as it is stylized. Their weapon of choice: words as sharp as sabers.
Some wonder, is this Frist's Revenge?
By Deanna Swift
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WASHINGTON, DC—The time for compromise over, a massive battle is about to unfold in this capital city. At its center are two hardened Senate warriors locked in a vicious dispute as chaotic as it is stylized. Their weapon of choice: words as sharp as sabers.
Who has the force?
On one side of the aisle is Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic Senate leader who has helped guide this august body through light times and dark, and who continues to be inspired by Searchlight, the Nevada town from which he hails. His Democratic colleagues credit Reid with enforcing the Senate's strict code, and praise a determined forcefulness that they say is with him all of the time.
Mr. Reid attributes his political success to the careful guidance of a strong mentor: a teacher who would play many roles in his life including trusted advisor, fighting coach and father figure. Off the job, the Democratic master has the reputation of being able to fix almost anything, and is a doting father to his children, including son Leif and daughter Lana.
A supreme ruler, with humble roots
As for Reid's opponent, the man on the other side of the aisle, he couldn't be more different say observers. Whereas his Democratic counterpart has been training for his job for most of his adult life, Dr. Bill Frist's senatorial ambitions are more recent. The product of humble Tennessee roots, he ran for office for the first time just a decade ago, leaving his medical practice to try and cure the partisan bickering and corruption that were threatening the Senate.
But despite Dr. Frist's pledge to reunite his disaffected colleagues, and bring order and justice to the Senate, critics say that that body continues to be mired in strife and chaos. The escalation of the battle with Mr. Reid has merely added fuel to that fire. Many in the Senate now fear that the conflict that has consumed them for weeks could escalate to full-scale warfare.
Frist's revenge
Although his critics have charged that the Republican Senate leader 'thinks in absolutes,' Dr. Frist's backers say that his is exactly the leadership needed to confront a Democratic opposition that marches in lockstep, challenging President Bush's agenda at every turn. "Talk about an army of clones," mused one popular conservative talk show host yesterday.
Power's dark side
While conflict and verbal duels are nothing new on the floor of the United States Senate, some observers say that this long-running drama is different from anything they've ever witnessed before. Before the battle's end, Dr. Frist is expected to utilize a technique never seen before, effectively killing the minority opposition.
"Our concern here is that we're about to use force to affect events long into the future," said one GOP Senate staffer who asked to remain anonymous. "Power is great. Everybody wants to have power, but there's a dark side to it too. The flaw of power is arrogance"
And a surprise ending
Even Washington insiders say that they're not sure how this drama will ultimately play out. With compromise elusive, both sides continue to predict victory. For now though, the force seems to be with Republican leader Bill Frist as he prepares to vanquish his Democratic counterpart in what could be their final showdown. As a source close to the GOP leader said earlier this week, "every single Democrat is now an enemy of the Republic. We have to do what must be done. We cannot hesitate or show any mercy."
Which political party will cross over to the dark side? Talk back to [email protected]
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