California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican: "Money doesn't make you happy. I now have $50 million, but I was just as happy when I had $48 million."

Done deal

As if it wasn't difficult enough losing re-election while holding the U.S. Senate's top post, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle is now getting blamed by former Bush White House aide Karl Rove for helping push the country into the war in Iraq.

So yesterday the former South Dakota Democrat went on "The Bill Press Show" to address the accusation, which was that he forced the Senate to vote on a war resolution when the Bush administration opposed the measure.

"I thought somebody was trying to pull my leg," said Mr. Daschle on the talk-radio show. "I can't believe that anybody would make such an outrageous statement, and I was interested in that several of the former Bush high-level people have now disputed it as well. But, he's saying it, and I guess he's trying to sell some books."

Instead, the former Senate leader said he actively warned President Bush against rushing into war.

"I reminded the president that his father waited until after the election for the 1991 war. It was a wise thing to do and allowed him to build consensus around the world and depoliticize it here at home. I turned to him and said that he ought to do the same thing: 'I wish you'd consider that.' He looked at the vice president. They smirked a little bit, and then looked at me and said, 'Can't do that.' "

Sounding the alarm

Readers might have noticed a slight bump of late in the regularity of Inside the Beltway columns, which had to do with a nasty tumble taken by its author. I'm grateful to those who have forwarded best wishes for a speedy recovery, including the esteemed F.R. Duplantier, whose countless political limericks over the years are known by millions. His latest verse is titled "Intervention."

When a columnist known for his pluck
Inadvertently falls off a truck,
Breaking elbow and arm,
Friends must sound the alarm:
Is it whiskey, or merely bad luck?

Columnist's note: Rest assured, it was a mean streak of bad luck. But since rumors abound, you ought to see the other guy.