Introduction to politics: Today's Washington Post has an editorial today on the pork-laden farm bill passed earlier this month. The Post takes Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle ($-S.D.) to task for doing what all politicians do best -- lying.

The release came from Sen. Tim Johnson, Mr. Daschle's fellow South Dakota Democrat, and it quoted the majority leader at some length. "We need to provide natural disaster assistance as soon as possible," Mr. Daschle stated. "The new farm bill sets up sound policy for the future . . . but that will not help farmers whose land is so bone-dry that their crops will not grow and their cattle cannot graze." So much for that promise to Mr. Russert that "we're getting rid of those ad hoc disaster payment approaches."

President Bush was wrong to sign the farm bill. But Congress is equally, if not more culpable. Bush would've likely signed any farm bill sent his way -- with or without all the pork. Congress, unfortunately, can't count on the president saving them from themselves.