Re: Of course not . . .
Daschle is a lawyer. Any verifiable threats against his and/or his family's safety could be openly dealt with by local law enforcers.
"...when he was accused by Republicans of being an obstructionists the number of threats against him and his family rose."
This is the lot for anyone in the public's eye. He should look upon this as negative public feedback (i.e., a personal poll), and respond accordingly. That the threats may have risen merely indicates he is on his way to becoming, or has already become, a member of the public’s minority politicians -- which is further substantiated by the latest elections.
Dan