MyDD :: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA

MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA

by Todd Beeton, Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 01:16:00 PM EST

As I wrote on Friday, Barack Obama's statement on the FISA "compromise" included this passage:

It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses.

Now it's time to hold him to it. Great to see MoveOn doing its part (h/t HuffPo):

Dear MoveOn member,

On Friday, House Democrats caved to the Bush administration and passed a bill giving a get-out-of-jail-free card to phone companies that helped Bush illegally spy on innocent Americans.

This Monday, the fight moves to the Senate. Senator Russ Feingold says the "deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation." Barack Obama announced his partial support for the bill, but said, "It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses."

Last year, after phone calls from MoveOn members and others, Obama went so far as to vow to "support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies." We need him to honor that promise.

Can you call Senator Obama today and tell him you're counting on him to keep his word? Ask him to block any compromise that includes immunity for phone companies that helped Bush break the law.

Obama's presidential campaign: (866) 675-2008

Then, help us track our progress by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?cp_id=758& ;tg=479

These companies helped the Bush Administration illegally spy on the emails and phone calls of innocent Americans. By giving "immunity" to these companies, all lawsuits brought against them by civil liberties groups would be thrown out of court. That means we may never find out how far Bush went in breaking the law. And once it's done, it can't be undone. That's why we need Obama to promise to block any bill that has immunity.

There's more at MoveOn.org.

Tags: barack obama, moveon.org, FISA, telecom immunity (all tags)

Permalink :: 56 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 2)

I think this is a good idea; although I don't think we should expect Obama to do it.

Obama has never been a 'Policy' radical -- his stances do tend to be middle of the road. He claims, instead 'Process' radicalism, changing the way we do business in DC, and so on.

None of this is new, and those who saw him as the vessel to pour all the progressive hopes and dreams were doomed to letdown sooner or later.

Many Hillary supporters knew that they didn't agree with her on all issues, even big issues. The collective weathering of her support for Kyl-Lieberman was a good example of how her supporters supported the hardware despite the software bugs -- so to speak. I think most Obama supporters are similarly capable of disagreeing with him.

But the MoveOn message, in fact, the response of the blogs not to do a Crist-McCain -- change their views to match the candidate -- and rather try to hold the candidate responsible, is how the progressive blogosphere will really define itself as something much more meaningful that right wing talk radio or much of the evangelical movement -- that was willing to change or ignore their disagreements with the candidate. The candidate is just a human. The movement and the ideals are so much more.

It'll be interesting to see how this pans out. Again, I expect disappointment. This FISA BS is kind of typical congressional 'pragmatism' at work, pragmatism that Bush-Rove used and abused to great effect.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 01:27:37 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (1.75 / 4)

One of the great divides between Hillary supporters and Obama supporters from my perspective is exactly what you say: Obama seen as a vessel in which to pour progressive hopes and dreams. See also, New Politics. See also, messianic cults.

The amount of idealization of Hillary compared to Obama was pretty small. Cf., people supporting Obama because "I like the way he makes me feel." Oy vey, Maria.

Assuming an Obama presidency, it will be interesting. I wonder what the date will be for the first post on DK saying that Obama needs to be primaried.

by InigoMontoya on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:04:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Are you kidding? (2.00 / 2)

"She shines like polished gold"? "Our gal"? "She sees us!"?

There was more than enough ridiculous idolatry to go around on both sides.

by JJE on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:15:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you kidding? (2.00 / 1)

other than the first comment, of which only one diary and one poster mentioned, can you really think that "our gal" or "she sees us" as idolatry or even compare it to some of the other statements?

by colebiancardi on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:25:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Um, yes? (2.00 / 1)

Both indicate a naive emotional overidentification with the candidate. If you can't see that there was just as much of that kind of thing on the Clinton side, I doubt there's much I can say to persuade you.

by JJE on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:37:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Completely (none / 0)

I think there was much more idoltary and messianic support of Hillary than of Obama, especially on sites like this and talkleft and others.

Yes, I have been a supporter of Obama since late last year. I was initially supporting Richardson, but he went no where. My support and enthusiasm of Obama was not ever related to any 'messianic progressivism'

I don't hold Politicians to those super-high standards, because I know they are all going to screw us over in the end. The Clinton's proved that to no small degree with DADT and DOMA. I supported Obama because I felt he would be the politician who would screw me over the least.

by monkeyga on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 12:23:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you kidding? (2.00 / 1)

That diarist is trying to organize others to write to superdelegates to get them to make HRC the nominee at the convention. http://alegrescorner.soapblox.net/showDi ary.do?diaryId=61
If you over there, you'll see lots of familiar names.

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 04:02:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you kidding? (none / 0)

MyDD didn't make Alegre's blog roll. The kiss of death.

by rfahey22 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 04:12:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you kidding? (none / 0)

Hers is demonstrative of narrow ideological purity.

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 04:46:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Are you kidding? (none / 0)

Hahahaha.

Oh, how rich.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:55:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I am shocked! (none / 0)

I was just sure it was all about policy, not my-candidate-at-all-costs.

by JJE on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:16:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 2)

Actually, I would take issue with this. I never saw Obama as anything more than a politician, albeit a politician that I support. That Obama supporters were seen by some as a pack of rabid cultists was news to me. Frankly I always saw that frame as an attempt by non-supporters to belittle the enthusiasm of his supporters, not as some profound insight into the dynamics at work. It was nothing more than an easy excuse for why Obama supporters did not support other candidates.

And, I would agree with others that there was plenty of idealization of Clinton during the primaries around here, and even for the two weeks immediately following the primaries. Anyway, it's pointless to trade stock stereotypes about the supporters of either candidate. We're all Democrats.

by rfahey22 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 03:00:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

Yeah, yeah, Obama supporters are blind robots. They are stupid. They're brainwashed. They can't possibly have decided to support him for any rational reason. They're not real Democrats.

Give it a rest.

by sneakers563 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:08:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

Or better yet: see Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

by sneakers563 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:22:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

LOL as to the ample supply of nimrods over on Kos demanding a primary challenge. The answer is probably October of 2009. If you saw Greenwald's Saturday post on the FISA vote, he actually made a reference to Obama as the next "Leader" - - the application of which he has always reserved for Dumbya. I thought it quite inappropriate.

As to this issue as a whole, I keep going back and forth on it. Reid and Pelosi certainly do seem more spineless than they do astute politicians, but at the same time, there's something a touch hysterical about the ranting of Greenwald (who apparently will not get a wink of sleep due to his obsession with this issue) and others about this topic that is off-putting.

by wavery2001 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:33:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 3)

I think the blogosphere has done a really decent job sticking it to Reid and Pelosi when they screw up -- that is, dare to disagree with "us." Yet, still, when push comes to shove, we know there have been times when they've done right by us, and get our support.

But we've never been in lockstep with Dem party leadership, we'll never be in lockstep with Obama's leadership either. The people claiming Obama as all that was good in the world are never taken seriously -- I mean, Kos has never held back when they've disagreed, and isn't he the king of all Obama boogeymen?

It's funny how the cult-status shifted; that there are still people pushing for Hillary to be the nominee, still holding out hope, somehow, that the Superdelegates will go against EVERYONE is amusing and sad. Like those who can't see Obama's flaws, those who can't see past them are just as deserving of our disdain.

Bill Clinton was the definition of leadership letdown, from NAFTA to Welfare-to-Work, to the "Era of Big Government is Over" he (and Al "No Controlling Authority" Gore) let us down many many times. But that's politics. You dust yourself off, vow never to forget whatever it is you should have learned, and set the board back up for the next game.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:00:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

Well said, Lettuce.
Disappointment in your candidate is par for the course. You have to accept the bad with the good.

"Who are you for? That is the wrong question. It should be who is for you?" HRC

by skohayes on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:17:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

That is very well-said indeed. I agree with you. I guess it's part of why I'm not that upset about this issue.

by wavery2001 on Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 09:05:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

You know, I don't know what the difference is between Hillary supporters and Obama supporters is, because I don't see either group as monolithic. People came to support them for various reasons: some like Hillary because of her 'experience', some because she was a viable female candidate, etc. Some liked Obama for a whole host of various reasons also.

Likewise, both sides had their nutty cult-like people, too. They're the ones who projected themselves onto the candidate and took every perceived sleight as a personal attack on them. Obama had people fainting at his rallies, and Hillary had freaks calling her "polished gold" and proclaiming "I am Hillary", etc. Fortunately, these zealots don't represent the majority of either camp's supporters.

For myself, I really do believe that Obama is the better candidate, but I also know he is to the right of me and would sooner or later piss me off. That's presidential politics, folks. No one's going to perform on that stage well without having to walk a tightrope and try to seem as middle-of-the-road and safe as possible. That said, a lot of his priorities do seem to be in the direction of mine.

I'm looking forward to see how this FISA thing plays out. Maybe this will be the first of a string of inevitable letdowns, or maybe this thing might just go a little better than it's looking like now. It'll be interesting to watch. In the mean time, I'm down with putting a little pressure on him for that filibuster. MoveOn's absolutely right on this.

by mikeinsf on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:30:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

Cloture, filibuster, whatever....
You mean to tell me that we can't find 40 Democratic Senators to filibuster this bill?

Maybe the 2 parties are more alike than any of us want to admit. I am a proud liberal Democrat, but my party is letting me and America down by going along with this biased bill. What is the rush any way; another temporary bill, with a new bill in January by the new congress.

by ocdemocrat on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 01:28:25 PM EST

Unable to get through to Obama staff (none / 0)

Obama switchboard must be overwhelmed. Tried 10 times and always got messages that "our volunteer operators are busy, try again soon."

Tried to leave a message at <BarackObama.com> following the "contact" link at the bottom of the page. Seems unlinkely that they will read or tally those messages soon enough to impact the discussion.

by MS on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 01:30:46 PM EST

well, I expect (2.00 / 1)

He won't show up -- strictly speaking, that is the same as voting for a filibuster.

I'd be pleasantly surprised if he does anything real.

John McCain is a Bush ally on Social Security.

by John DE on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 01:31:51 PM EST

He won't risk it... (none / 0)

Over what is an issue where concern is largely limited to left leaning blogs and talk radio...

I haven't had a single discussion or even heard a single comment on this issue from anyone outside those two arenas...

It simply isn't a huge concern for most people and Obama isn't gonna risk derailing his campaign plan to wade in...

by SaveElmer on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 01:40:29 PM EST

Re: He won't risk it... (2.00 / 1)

But, the "activists" are what is driving his campaign... these are the people who are donating the money (the 1.5 million small donors) and are the core of his volunteer force that was crucial to him winning the primary...

Alienate that group and you are in trouble!

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:45:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

Bad idea.

Thankfully he wouldn't do it.

Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me.

by lori on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:07:22 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

He better, if he still wants a volunteer force working for him in the fall... as well as those small campaign contributions...

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:52:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

"our gal" is idolatry? Who knew?

Upon further reflection, I expect Obama to vote "Present" on FISA cloture. (And, no, not really...that would be criminally stupid, reinforcing one of the negative (if true) messages about him.)

by InigoMontoya on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:20:21 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

What about the folk at Hllaryis44 who refuse to vote for a democratic candidate 'cos their hero wasn't forcibly inserted as the nominee?

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:46:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

The frustrating thing is, for whatever reason (and whether they know it or not) the Democratic Congress has forced Obama into a corner on this one. The bill has passed the House and it is now high profile enough that were Obama to actually filibuster it, he would be painted as an obstructionist and a radical in the presidential campaign. So I don't think he's going to do it. He's probably going to take Option B instead, which is "disappoint your core supporters". It's not pretty either way.

Which is why it was so important for House leadership to step up to the plate and hold their own. I'm still wondering if we'll get a whiff of some real reason for this one day.

by Daliant on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:21:07 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

I blame the superdelegate system. Since congressional superdelegates were the ones who put Obama over the top, he has his hands tied. Normally, he could go against the wishes of congress, and that would give him a "maverick" gold star. At the moment, though, he's beholden to them.

Plus, Obama needs to look "good for national security"... which, unfortunately in this day and age, means giving up constitutional protections in the name of temporary security. As Ben Franklin said, "We deserve neither."

It profits a PUMA nothing to give their soul for the whole world... but for McCain? --Sir Thomas More (if he were here now)

by LordMike on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:52:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

at least they see beyond the adulation (2.00 / 1)

good for MoveOn. We have to hold our leaders to their words. Upholding the constitution and making a principled stand on civil liberties is what we expect of the president....unless we happen to Republicans and/or are happy with losing our civil liberties.

by tarheel74 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:25:14 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

I am pissed this turd of a bill got to this place. What the dems are doing is beyond me. Obama must be looking forward to being pushed around by moveon during the campaign, I'm sure McCains assassins won't make anything of it.. This bill is heinous and should have been tarred from the beginning, then tabled til next year. The only logical conclusion can be that Reid and Pelosi and co. wanted this thing passed.

by moondancer on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:34:43 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

There's a school of thought going around that Reid & Pelosi were implicit collaborators in the last seven years of extra-FISA Court wiretapping, so they are engaging in a little CYA. At first blush it sounds stupid, but on further examination, I think the idea has some merit.

by wavery2001 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:28:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I wrote this to the Obama Campaign (2.00 / 5)

A few days ago, the House passed a bill aimed at granting retroactive immunity to the Telecoms as well as expanding the wiretapping powers of the President in violation of the original form of FISA.

Instead of standing up to those monied interests, as he has said he would do, Barack Obama said he agreed with the FISA law and gave what could be described, at best, as a tepid condemnation of the immunity contained therein.

As an american concerned with the erosion of civil liberties under the current President, Obama's stance on this concerns me greatly. I have to date given $450 to the Obama campaign and have worked with friends and family to get them to contribute as well. I have volunteered for the first time in my political life as well, going door to door and spreading Barack Obama's message of hope and change.

No more.

Until Obama lives up to his promise to filibuster and block any bill which grants the Telecoms retroactive immunity, I simply will not lift a finger to aid his campaign. This is a travesty against the rights of Americans and completely gets at the core of his message to stand up for us.

Obama wanted people to become engaged in the political process so that we could hold our representatives in Congress accountable. Well, I'm holding Barack Obama accountable as the democratic nominee, my future representative in the White House.

Stop this bill.

by Yalin on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 02:46:56 PM EST

Re: I wrote this to the Obama Campaign (none / 0)

Get a grip on sanity. You lose this election. You might as well go home. You will not be needed after November 4th. Cause there will be no party.

by Makey on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 04:33:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I wrote this to the Obama Campaign (2.00 / 2)

Not donating any more money and not going out to volunteer for the Obama campaign doesn't mean I won't vote for Barack Obama. To the contrary, I most certainly will vote for him.

But I don't have to go above and beyond in that support if he does crap like this.

by Yalin on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:50:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

I think I will get more excited about it after I see what his resoponse is...not the press release, but his actual Senatorial response in the chamber.

I think it will be ok...look at the recent "presidential" track record...Rev. Wright and racism (good response). Gaining the Nomination and speach he gave at the Primaries Close about Unity, and the work since then (good response).

I am not quite yet ready to crucify him on FISA...yet.

by Hammer1001 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 03:43:26 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 2)

I'm not 100% in love with Obama's response to the Wright business. He went from imploring the country to understand his former pastor's mindset--as part of a "national conversation on race"--to leaving his church altogether when the political heat got turned up. It was pure chickenshit politics--similar to his behavior in the Senate regarding the Iraq war. No leadership.

by Upstate Dem on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 04:26:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

I only said it was a Good response. As for church changes, what he did was actually very responsable. Most church members of his stature tend to fight to the bitter end to make the church change for them. (My wife is a Presbyterian Minister, so I hear about this stuff all the time...) For him to publically leave his church rather than scold them into changing is a big PLUS in my book, with my level of experience.

Again, I want to see what he DOES before I start to think less of him. Maybe the press release is a "testing the waters" for opinion on the matter. If people get riled up about this, it may give him more backbone on using it for November. I can see a whole avenue of attack on the Republicans focusing on a open and responsable society is a safer society, using FISA as a initiative to lessen security. Although, to be honest, I think we will have this paranoid security posturing until we solve our energy needs properly as our reliance on oil, let alone foriegn oil, seems to get us in the most trouble lately (last 20-30 years).

by Hammer1001 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:00:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

I think every member of the church was glad when Obama left.

If the churches of Republicans faced similar scrutany -- and there are plenty of Megachurches that should -- they would suffer similar fates.

Future theology and journalism phd students will fill many disseratations with how America handled it's first black party nominee's religion. The verdict won't be good.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:05:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

Totally agreed. I must say, it is a very interesting psychological dance that goes on with die-hard Obama supporters when Obama has gone back on his word--as he did with Wright, as he did with campaign financing this last week, and perhaps now as well.

His original stances on all of these issues led his supporters to rally behind his unquestioned leadership, his unquestioned committment to change, and the idea that we really did have a new kind of politician here. Now that it's clear that Obama did not keep his original word (due to political expediency, as expected), many of these same supporters are uncritically excusing these flip-flops as not a big deal--or, worse, they are suddenly embracing Obama's pragmatism and triangulation as being "exactly what it takes to win."

Interesting...wasn't it Hillary Clinton who would "say or do anything to win the White House"? It doesn't sound like too fair of a criticism to level at Obama, does it? Well, on one level, it's not a charge I make eagerly--because I'm voting for the guy anyhow...but it just reinforces how ludicrous of a charge it was for the Obama camp to direct at HRC during the primary.

by MMR2 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:22:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Bullshit (none / 0)

You know that is not true, why do you keep up with the slanderous lies?

We know you hate Obama, but at least stick to the truth.

He only left his church after Rev. Wright went to the National Press Club and made a spectacle of himself (I am sure with the full support of the Clinton machine). Rev. Wright went far beyond anything he had stated during his sermons and at that point, held the press conference only to hurt Obama.

by monkeyga on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 12:27:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

Chicken democrats. Only thing they know how to attack is democrats. No wonder, they lose every elections.

by Makey on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 04:32:13 PM EST

I dont think Obama is the Fillibuster's Kind (2.00 / 1)

In fact he is probably the least likely person to do it.

by TaiChiMaster on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:19:33 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 3)

I just wrote this to Sen Obama on his website:

"My husband and I are about to move to Missouri, an important swing state. We have made only one small donation so far, but we were prepared to give much more and, in addition, to volunteer our time to the campaign. I say "were" because we are having serious second thoughts due to Sen Obama's tepid response on FISA. Civil liberties are a non-negotiable, core issue for us, so we would have trouble accepting any compromise on FISA, but the bill that passed the House last week is not a compromise - it's a capitulation. We expected leadership from Sen Obama against this disastrous piece of legislation, but, so far, we haven't seen it. If Sen Obama can't stand up for our rights on this very clear issue, how can we believe that he will stand up for us on other issues? Just because Sen McCain is totally unacceptable doesn't mean that Sen Obama can count on people like us to overlook what we would view as a serious betrayal. Staying home is still an option."

This is just killing me. I really wasn't having any trouble transferring my support and enthusiasm from Hillary to Barack. And then this. It doesn't help to tell me that Hillary might or would do the same - it's Barack who is the presumptive nominee, and it's Barack whose credibility is on the line.

Rules for Life: Do not annoy others; Do not be too easily annoyed.

by Not the only Dem in KS on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:39:37 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

You can't leave Kansas! Nooooooo!!!!!
We need involved Dems like you!!
:::sigh:::
Well, good luck on the move. We'll miss you in KS.

"Who are you for? That is the wrong question. It should be who is for you?" HRC

by skohayes on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:24:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

Thanks for the kind thoughts. I'm really quite sad about moving. We've lived in Kansas for 20 years and I love it here, but my darling husband's late-in-life career move from the corporate world to academia will be taking him to Missouri Southern State University in Joplin where he'll be teaching Asian Civ, Western Civ and US History. At least we'll still be in the Midwest, and it's only a little more than a 2-hour drive to visit our daughter and grandchildren back in Prairie Village KS. We'll miss you all too.

Rules for Life: Do not annoy others; Do not be too easily annoyed.

by Not the only Dem in KS on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:39:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

Oh, hell! I guess Obama's going to get my vote anyway. My sensible angel just reminded me that McCain would do more damage to civil liberties via the Supreme Court than will be done by this horrible bill. But I still don't know how much of my time and money Obama will get. His support for this travesty (or very tepid opposition, at best) is a bitter pill indeed.

Rules for Life: Do not annoy others; Do not be too easily annoyed.

by Not the only Dem in KS on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 06:26:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 2)

Barack Obama got around to issuing a statement - citing what he calls "the grave threats we face," he just announced that he supports this warrantless eavesdropping and telecom amnesty compromise.'

see Glenn Greenwald in Salon here:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/# postid-updateA7
and Obama statement here: http://utdocuments.blogspot.com/2008/06/ statement-of-barack-obama-supporting.htm l

by jd2 on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:41:44 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 2)

For those temporary MYDDers who bashed MoveOn because they thought they were in the bag for Obama, can we just stop the whining about MoveON now? THey have no problem putting pressure on Obama when warranted. I think we should make Obama know that he is not going to get a free pass on this. He needs to repay the goodwill shown to him. Otherwise, he will invite another Nader.

And if Nader or someone like nAder steals votes from Obama, Obama will only have himself to blame. He has lost the racist white vote. But he can still get the biggest white vote yet from those interested in real change. He needs to cater to all Americans regardless of color interested in real change. Those Americans will have his back when the inevitable smears continue to pile on. So he better not try to sell out on the real important issues. He can pander on the trivial stuff if he wishes to.

by Pravin on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 05:47:40 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (none / 0)

Now not only is Obama acting presidential but we're treating him as 'presidential' too. Didn't take long, did it?

by Shaun Appleby on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 07:03:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

not to start up a Hillary vs Obama strand, but just for my own curiosity: does anyone know if has Hillary taken a stand on this 'compromise'?

by CalDem on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 07:36:58 PM EST

I will eat my shoe (2.00 / 1)

If Obama filibusters it- I will eat it- size 11.

by easyE on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 09:11:53 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

I don't think he's going to do it.

Flashlights helicopter video game

by analyfjks on Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 09:21:31 PM EST

Re: MoveOn: Tell Obama To Filibuster FISA (2.00 / 1)

We have a candidate who said nice things about Ronald Reagan (dynamism, entrepreneurship, optimism), the GOP (better on a whole host of issues than the Dems), and not nice things about the Clinton-Edwards universal health care approach (government will force you to buy insurance, even if you can't afford it) while trying to get the votes of Democrats.

What did you expect him to say/do once he was trying to get the votes of Republicans?

by OrangeFur on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:12:26 AM EST

What odds? (none / 0)

Obama is either campaigning very far away when it comes up in the senate.

by gaf on Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 11:56:27 AM EST

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