Daschle, left. with Reid at the unveiling of Daschle’s portrait. – AP
“I’ve always looked forward to the hanging of Tom Daschle,” said former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., on Tuesday. His quip referred not to the gallows, however, but to the unveiling of former Sen. Daschle’s official portrait at a VIP-heavy ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber.
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The South Dakota Democrat, who served as majority and minority leader, is depicted in a state of repose, sitting on the arm of a leather chair and holding some papers, his jacket open to reveal a blue shirt and yellow tie.
Artist Aaron Shikler, who had also painted Mike Mansfield and John and Bobby Kennedy, did the honors for Daschle.
“I do have one regret,” said Daschle, “that this is probably my last opportunity to look a little taller. Aaron’s a realist and he wouldn’t indulge me that.”
Plenty of important folks showed up for the midafternoon fete, from John Podesta and Sam Donaldson to Lott’s new lobbying partner John Breaux and onetime presidential candidate George McGovern. Evena few Republicans showed up, such as Sens. Ted Stevens and Richard Lugar, and even the man who defeated Daschle, Sen. John Thune.
