Democrats excluded from speech-giving at Reagan memorial service

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2004

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Republicans have excluded Democrats from a list of speakers at a memorial service to be held in the US Congress for President Ronald Reagan.

"They won't let any Democrats speak," Senator Richard Durbin told AFP Tuesday.

Durbin said the speakers list is being drawn up by a slate of top Republicans, including House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, and US Vice President Dick Cheney.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle said at a press conference Tuesday that he "would be honored to speak" -- if only he'd been asked.

"That's not a decision for us (Democrats) to make," Daschle said, noting that there may also have been input by members of the Reagan family in drawing up the list of speakers.

Democrats...