The democrat leader of the U-S Senate is vowing to get a prescription drug benefit attached to Medicare before year’s end. South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle was in Mount Pleasant Sunday to campaign with Governor Tom Vilsack. Daschle says he’s not willing to accept no action on prescription drugs this year.Republicans have offered a prescription drug benefit for the nation’s seniors that relies on private insurance while Democrats are backing full coverage through Medicare, which is much more expensive. Some have suggested delaying the federal tax cut to finance the plan, but Daschle rejects that idea.Daschle says it’s not necessary to delay the tax cut passed just last year, but is crucial not to “dig the hole any deeper” with more tax cuts.Daschle also headlined a picnic/fundraiser in Des Moines for democrat Senator Tom Harkin Sunday night. On Saturday evening, actor Charleton Heston — the president of the National Rifle Association — was the main attraction at a picnic/fundraiser for republican Senator Charles Grassley.
