i am absolutely shocked…

I think Reid’s behavior makes clear he or his loved ones are victims of NSA eavesdropping, in the hands of the West Wing. Come clean, Harry Reid. Tell what you know, and what they know about you and yours.

Harry Reid, Republican Majority Leader.

hmmm…at both reid and my zed ;-)

shocking. sadly, not.

Jane!

OMG!!

Thank you Dodd…his site is up go sign it.

Reid is a traitor if he lets this one through!

told ‘em downstairs once i recovered ;-)

No one is above the law…can we get him kicked out as majority leader?

http://www.chrisdodd.com/fisa

Oh yeah while I am at it.. IMPEACH!

THERE IS NO OTHER WAY to stop lawlessness in the oval office. Period.

TeddySanFran @ 3

I think Reid’s behavior makes clear he or his loved ones are victims of NSA eavesdropping, in the hands of the West Wing. Come clean, Harry Reid. Tell what you know, and what they know about you and yours.

No kidding.

‘We’re living in a Fascist Paradise…doo dee do’

I think that this is one we should all call Reid on. MLDB at DKos suggests that “perhaps a call to Sen. Reid’s office is in order:
202-224-3542″

peanutbutter @ 10

TeddySanFran @ 3

I think Reid’s behavior makes clear he or his loved ones are victims of NSA eavesdropping, in the hands of the West Wing. Come clean, Harry Reid. Tell what you know, and what they know about you and yours.

No kidding.

This is the same stuff that made J. Edgar Hoover untouchable for nearly half a century.

Why on Earth would anyone be shocked about this?!

Strange set of priorities you’ve got there, Senator Reid.

****No it’s not Jane.Harry Reid is a pro-choice Dem and is more likely to see things the Repuke way just like Lieberman.Stop supporting Dems who are Repuke like & then heap surprise when they do Repuke like thngs.How can you folks forget his conduct in regards to Alito & Roberts.

Now is when you threaten the DSCC with a funding cutoff. And call-out Senators taking DSCC money.

Perhaps money can be given instead to the Progressive Patriots Fund in Dodd’s name (seeing as how Russ lined up behind Dodd today). This is a “money-talks” battle royale. It’s one senator standing up for the law and Constitutional principles vs. telecom industry largesse. It couldn’t be more crystal clear.

We are reduced to fighting asymetrically, because we’ll never match Big Telecom’s bank accounts (public financing, anyone?). This is one where the sickness of our political system is laid bare. As such, it is a critical battle to win, both for the country and to retake the Democratic Party.

This is as bad a move for Reid as “impeachment is off the table” was for Pelosi. They are terminal as Party leaders.

Dodd’s has had his epiphany. We should have ours.

Surely there is some way to strip him of his leadership position. I’ve completely lost confidence in him, when I was very much trying to have patience and give him the benefit of any doubt, any doubt at all. Now, I just want him gone, and I don’t care how they do it. Follow him around with a camera. Blackmail him. I don’t care. He is not taking care of the country’s business worth a damn. Won’t someone rid us this troublesome Majority leader?

how do we replace Reid? He’s got to go.

yzfool @ 14

Why on Earth would anyone be shocked about this?!

Nobody could have guessed that Reid wanted his own little place lined up on that wall with the GOP.

What kind of fuckery is this, Harry? You’ll let the GOP get in your way and not raise a finger, but run over a senior Senator from your own party? Either you’re being blackmailed, you’re a spineless puke, or both.

Well, Sen. Reid, I’ll raise a finger for you:
>
>
=====>
>
>

Reid is edging into Lieberman mutual contempt territory.

Strange set of priorities you’ve got there, Senator Reid.

****No it’s not Jane. Harry Reid is a Anti-abortion Dem and is more likely to see things the Repuke way just like Lieberman.Stop supporting Dems who are Repuke like & then heap surprise when they do Repuke like thngs.How can you folks forget his conduct in regards to Alito & Roberts.

And I already did the “no money for you!” thing when the DSCC called.

Senator Dodd:

We’ve got your back. Show the rest of these spineless wimps how it’s done.

Goal: Restore Constitutional democracy. Call me a dreamer.

TeddySanFran @ 2

I think Reid’s behavior makes clear he or his loved ones are victims of NSA eavesdropping, in the hands of the West Wing. Come clean, Harry Reid. Tell what you know, and what they know about you and yours.

Admire your throwing down the gauntlet to Harry Reid dear Teddy. Though I have little hope that the man from Searchlight, Nevada dare reply. OTOH a specific post from you and/or any number of the lake’s fine front pagers may find it worthwhile for such a call for accountability.

This makes no sense at all. Unless, as Teddy says, there is some dirt to be exposed. Exposing it, however would prove the need for the telecoms to be reined in.

Even Tweety is disgusted with the dems.

It is the result of reids’ willingness to capitulate that has led the goopers to be as brazen as they have been. The man is a tired old man and he just wants to go along.What a tragedy.

Ann in AZ @ 17

Surely there is some way to strip him of his leadership position. I’ve completely lost confidence in him, when I was very much trying to have patience and give him the benefit of any doubt, any doubt at all. Now, I just want him gone, and I don’t care how they do it. Follow him around with a camera. Blackmail him. I don’t care. He is not taking care of the country’s business worth a damn. Won’t someone rid us this troublesome Majority leader?

Presumably it would require a majority of the Democratic caucus. But roughly half the Democratic caucus seems perfectly willing to go along with whatever despicable fuckery the Republicans have up their sleeves, so I can’t say I’m super-optimistic.

I think he needs faxes. And stacks of letters. Maybe a demonstration.

Eli @ 21

Reid is edging into Lieberman mutual contempt territory.

So what are we gonna do about it?

Lod how I dislike Harry, Nancy and that other one.

egregious @ 30

Eli @ 21

Reid is edging into Lieberman mutual contempt territory.

So what are we gonna do about it?

Hopefully kick him to the unemployment line. Then blackball him from lobbying.

We’ve got to get rid of Harry and Nancy.

ya beat me, FDL: I started a post earlier this evening, but had to save it in draft.

I will of course be passing this on: Reid is showing his true colors. I am no longer so sympathetic (if i ever was) to his protests of that “we need 60 votes oh woe is us”. I think if we look, we’ll see a pattern of behavior on Mr. reid’s part.

I don’t trust this ‘rat.

I think Chris Dodd would be a fine Senate Majority Leader. How do we make that happen? Who is skilled in the arcane parliamentary legerdemain?

We have just about six months to find and support replacements for all of them. Pelosi has a viable replacement, Reid could too. We are living in a police state, and King George just wants to make sure there’s nothing we can do about it. Trouble is, with tyrants, there always is something the people can do about it. This congress is no different then the rethugs. Either we stand up for the Constitution or we lose it and in about a year at that.

egregious @ 30

Eli @ 21

Reid is edging into Lieberman mutual contempt territory.

So what are we gonna do about it?

I wish I knew. Unless and until we get a majority of the Dem caucus progressive, Reid could care less what we think.

But I am fully on board with never giving the DSCC a cent, and have been for quite some time now…

Oklahoma kiddo @ 31

Lod how I dislike Harry, Nancy and that other one.

Is the “other one” Hoyer? I truly dislike him. He always looks as if he has caught a whiff of something unpleasant and I suspect it’s us.

Incompetence

Oklahoma kiddo @ 31

Lod how I dislike Harry, Nancy and that other one.

The contemptible He-who-must-not-be-named from Connecticut?

Biggus Wedgus @ 16

Now is when you threaten the DSCC with a funding cutoff. And call-out Senators taking DSCC money.

Perhaps money can be given instead to the Progressive Patriots Fund in Dodd’s name (seeing as how Russ lined up behind Dodd today). This is a “money-talks” battle royale. It’s one senator standing up for the law and Constitutional principles vs. telecom industry largesse. It couldn’t be more crystal clear.

We are reduced to fighting asymetrically, because we’ll never match Big Telecom’s bank accounts (public financing, anyone?). This is one where the sickness of our political system is laid bare. As such, it is a critical battle to win, both for the country and to retake the Democratic Party.

This is as bad a move for Reid as “impeachment is off the table” was for Pelosi. They are terminal as Party leaders.

Dodd’s has had his epiphany. We should have ours.

I give money to the Progressive Patriots because I trust Senator Feingold. He’s one of the very few I trust in DC.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 33

We’ve got to get rid of Harry and Nancy.

And Dianne the war profiteer, the Dems’ Ted Stevens…

Did Clinton, Obama, or both, ask Reid to do this? Am I correct with the understanding when Reid brings it to a vote it will require 60 votes to override the hold?

john in sacramento @ 39

Incompetence

John,
Wanna drive over the mountains to see Reid?

Eli @ 37

egregious @ 30

So what are we gonna do about it?

I wish I knew. Unless and until we get a majority of the Dem caucus progressive, Reid could care less what we think.

But I am fully on board with never giving the DSCC a cent, and have been for quite some time now…

Two words: Primary challenges.

I can personally assure you THIS is getting the attention of a lot of Dem members of Congress.

egregious @ 30

Eli @ 21

Reid is edging into Lieberman mutual contempt territory.

So what are we gonna do about it?

Organize a nation-wide strike? It’s time for a sea change. Things aren’t working.

john in sacramento @ 39

Incompetence

Heh. You know, it’s funny how we agree with Broder on Reid’s incompetence, but we have the exact opposite reasons…

If we don’t do something Reid, Pelosi, Liberman, Rahm Emanuel, Harold Ford Jr., and that other personality will be in charge soon.

mary mccurnin,

I delivered your greetings to your friends in Sonoma when I was there for the writing and creative living conference. Much appreciated. They send love back to you.

brendancalling @ 35

ya beat me, FDL: I started a post earlier this evening, but had to save it in draft.

I will of course be passing this on: Reid is showing his true colors. I am no longer so sympathetic (if i ever was) to his protests of that “we need 60 votes oh woe is us”. I think if we look, we’ll see a pattern of behavior on Mr. reid’s part.

I don’t trust this ‘rat.

I don’t trust Harry to kick HoJo to the curb in 2009. Not one bit.

john in sacramento @ 39

Incompetence

Invincible fuckery.

peanutbutter @ 10

TeddySanFran @ 3

I think Reid’s behavior makes clear he or his loved ones are victims of NSA eavesdropping, in the hands of the West Wing. Come clean, Harry Reid. Tell what you know, and what they know about you and yours.

No kidding.

Well, if that’s the case, then we now know who’s got standing to sue. If he can’t do that, what good is he?

egregious @ 45

Eli @ 37

I wish I knew. Unless and until we get a majority of the Dem caucus progressive, Reid could care less what we think.

But I am fully on board with never giving the DSCC a cent, and have been for quite some time now…

Two words: Primary challenges.

I can personally assure you THIS is getting the attention of a lot of Dem members of Congress.

Absolutely – I want to see *all* their sorry asses primaried. But we can’t just conjure primary opponents up out of thin air – someone has to be disgusted enough to be willing to put up with the horrible, vicious bullshit of a campaign. Two campaigns, really.

Somebody needs to ask Clinton, Obama, and Biden what they think of this. The Dem presidential candidates in the Senate need to publicly support Dodd or Reid on this. This is a dealbreaker for me if you want my primary or general election vote.

Eureka Springs @ 43

Did Clinton, Obama, or both, ask Reid to do this? Am I correct with the understanding when Reid brings it to a vote it will require 60 votes to override the hold?

1. Idle Speculation

2. Yes. Think of it as a mini-filibuster. Pretty pathetic that Dodd was forced to do this because his party is composed of enough chickenshits that Republicans can still crow.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 48

If we don’t do something Reid, Pelosi, Liberman, Rahm Emanuel, Harold Ford Jr., and that other personality will be in charge soon.

In the end, there is only one way we are gonna change things. Money. Lots of it to primary some of these SOB’s.

Eli @ 53

egregious @ 45

Two words: Primary challenges.

I can personally assure you THIS is getting the attention of a lot of Dem members of Congress.

Absolutely – I want to see *all* their sorry asses primaried. But we can’t just conjure primary opponents up out of thin air – someone has to be disgusted enough to be willing to put up with the horrible, vicious bullshit of a campaign. Two campaigns, really.

Volunteers?

People, if you live in a district where your rep is not making it happen, please think RIGHT NOW about who could mount a primary challenge.

Time is of the essence.

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 41

Biggus Wedgus @ 16

Now is when you threaten the DSCC with a funding cutoff. And call-out Senators taking DSCC money.

Perhaps money can be given instead to the Progressive Patriots Fund in Dodd’s name (seeing as how Russ lined up behind Dodd today). This is a “money-talks” battle royale. It’s one senator standing up for the law and Constitutional principles vs. telecom industry largesse. It couldn’t be more crystal clear.

We are reduced to fighting asymetrically, because we’ll never match Big Telecom’s bank accounts (public financing, anyone?). This is one where the sickness of our political system is laid bare. As such, it is a critical battle to win, both for the country and to retake the Democratic Party.

This is as bad a move for Reid as “impeachment is off the table” was for Pelosi. They are terminal as Party leaders.

Dodd’s has had his epiphany. We should have ours.

I give money to the Progressive Patriots because I trust Senator Feingold. He’s one of the very few I trust in DC.

Well, now. There’s a name to conjur with. No money. I’m sure if we all sent these little funding appeals back with our names crossed out and wronte moved, and then gave the money to MoveOn….well…..you think these fascists will spend their own money. Nancy and DiFi and Harry are as much out to wreck the Constitution as King George. Time we woke up.

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 56

Oklahoma kiddo @ 48

If we don’t do something Reid, Pelosi, Liberman, Rahm Emanuel, Harold Ford Jr., and that other personality will be in charge soon.

In the end, there is only one way we are gonna change things. Money. Lots of it to primary some of these SOB’s.

Right now they hate us a lot more than they fear us.

What is going on? Really. I am VERY close to agreeing with all those who don’t vote. It seems nothing works.

Geez.

Do these guys even realize that the reason their poll numbers are in the shitter is because they keep caving into the least popular sitting president ever.?

cleter @ 54

Somebody needs to ask Clinton, Obama, and Biden what they think of this. The Dem presidential candidates in the Senate need to publicly support Dodd or Reid on this. This is a dealbreaker for me if you want my primary or general election vote.

And who is responsible for Lieberman wielding so much power? Who is to blame for Joe being in office?

Whenever I think the demos can’t do anything to make me hate them more, to increase my contempt for them, they find something. How can anyone vote for a democrat? How?

Eli @ 59

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 56

In the end, there is only one way we are gonna change things. Money. Lots of it to primary some of these SOB’s.

Right now they hate us a lot more than they fear us.

Why do you think I mentioned money? They need to fear us. They only way to make that happen is to raise money and unseat some of these tools. Then they’ll fear us. Not before.

It long past time for new Democratic leadership in Congress! How much more does the country have to endure???

Perhaps the Hillary staffer who’s paid to monitor the lefty blogs would care to weigh in on this. Is your boss in favor of Reid, or Dodd? C’mon. Delurk. We won’t tell anybody.

Maybe the NSA minder could drop a hint on what they have on Reid.

Mysterious Traveller @ 62

Geez.

Do these guys even realize that the reason their poll numbers are in the shitter is because they keep caving into the least popular sitting president ever.?

No no no, it’s because the people are sick of Partisan Bickering. Only when Democrats and Republicans agree on everything will the people be happy.

cleter @ 54

Somebody needs to ask Clinton, Obama, and Biden what they think of this. The Dem presidential candidates in the Senate need to publicly support Dodd or Reid on this. This is a dealbreaker for me if you want my primary or general election vote.

Amen!

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 65

Eli @ 59

Right now they hate us a lot more than they fear us.

Why do you think I mentioned money? They need to fear us. They only way to make that happen is to raise money and unseat some of these tools. Then they’ll fear us. Not before.

Yes, that’s what I was referring to.

egregious @ 49

mary mccurnin,

I delivered your greetings to your friends in Sonoma when I was there for the writing and creative living conference. Much appreciated. They send love back to you.

Thanks!!! Great folks aren’t they?

It appears the country is reaching to the point were political differences will have to be fought on the streets and on the barricades because they sure as hell will not be settled in the halls of Congress!

This is such a fantastic turn of events!

Dodd’s actions today and the fact that he’s a Prez candidate are exactly what we’ve needed to take things to the next level. The long, slow process of exposing the fake “Dem leaders” and making our Party actually Liberal again is ramping up with the help of the netroots.

Now, we just need to make sure no Clintons are ever in power again, or we’ll be starting over from square one.

A musical number to honor our efforts in recent years. (youtube)

off topic but something to give everyone a wry smile is right up on think progress now

we’ve all said we’d like to be a fly on the wall given some or other situation but this event I believe would wind up at the top of our list;

Iraq to Cheney: ‘Big fat no’ on bases in Iraq. The Iraqi government has “put the U.S. on notice” that they do not want permanent U.S. bases in Iraq, CNN reports today. The message was “delivered directly to Vice President Dick Cheney at the White House” by Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffak Al-Rubaie, who told CNN that Iraqis say, “No, big fat no, N-O for the bases in Iraq”:

The people of Iraq, the parliament, the council of representatives and the government of Iraq, they all say no, big fat no, N-O for the bases in Iraq. No military bases for Iraq because we believe that is in direct encroachment to our soveriegnty, and we don’t need it.

Watch it:

Al-Rubaie did not say how Cheney reacted to his message

bold is mine but lid blowing off top is cheney’s

When it comes to a choice of defending or trashing the Constitution, Harry Reid has just declared exactly which side he’s on. Never forget.

Something is out of tilt here. Reid isn’t so in love with Bush’s powers above the law. Something is going on. Did the Bush regimers threaten his family? This needs to be looked into rather than accepting it is a Reid whim. The Bush Regime is a criminal gang. How do criminal gangs hold power over the people? Make life-threatening threats. Like in Burma, Indonesia and many other countries, the junta remains in power because they threaten terrible things will happen to members of the family.

I think the year was 1980 when Amnesty International paid tribute to children. They named countries that practiced the torture of children to silence the parents and control them. It works well. Indonesia was at the top of the list. My Indonesian friends here in America would say nothing about the Indonesia government other than they had family members still living there. Henry Kissinger supported the Indonesian junta’s practice. If it was OK there, why not here?

Eli @ 68

Mysterious Traveller @ 62

Geez.

Do these guys even realize that the reason their poll numbers are in the shitter is because they keep caving into the least popular sitting president ever.?

No no no, it’s because the people are sick of Partisan Bickering. Only when Democrats and Republicans agree on everything will the people be happy.

Nixon was at 24% when he realized that somebody was going to come get him if he didn’t leave under his own steam.

But that was classic Broderella Eli.

Way back when the indictment came down for Libby I had hope. It took almost a year for the wind to be kicked out of me.
Today Chris Dodd stood up for the people of this country. I felt hope again. It took my own party less than a few hours to kick the wind out of me again.

Mysterious Traveller @ 77

Eli @ 68

No no no, it’s because the people are sick of Partisan Bickering. Only when Democrats and Republicans agree on everything will the people be happy.

Nixon was at 24% when he realized that somebody was going to come get him if he didn’t leave under his own steam.

But that was classic Broderella Eli.

A) Nixon was much smarter than Dubya.

B) No-one’s coming to get him.

bonkers @ 73

This is such a fantastic turn of events!

Dodd’s actions today and the fact that he’s a Prez candidate are exactly what we’ve needed to take things to the next level. The long, slow process of exposing the fake “Dem leaders” and making our Party actually Liberal again is ramping up with the help of the netroots.

Now, we just need to make sure no Clintons are ever in power again, or we’ll be starting over from square one.

)

w00t, I’ll cheer for that!

B) No-one’s coming to get him.

At least, nobody from America is.

All bets are off when it comes to other country’s agents.

My top three reasons why Reid would do this in no particular order:

Tele money

Blackmail

Politics

reid’s a republican in demorat’s clothing.

someone much more progressive should be in charge of the majority party in the senate (as much as i dislike nearly all of them)

god no wonder they’re at 11% approval rating…

i sure wish Dodd were president. or feingold. now that would make a difference.

Eureka Springs @ 83

My top three reasons why Reid would do this in no particular order:

Tele money

Blackmail

Politics

You forget:

Lack of Spine

Owes Favors to Money

Retarded

Republican Mole

Eli @ 68

Mysterious Traveller @ 62

Geez.

Do these guys even realize that the reason their poll numbers are in the shitter is because they keep caving into the least popular sitting president ever.?

No no no, it’s because the people are sick of Partisan Bickering. Only when Democrats and Republicans agree on everything will the people be happy.

But Eli – it has to be that special “brand” of agreement where the Democrats lay in the ground and the Rethugs walk all over them and do unspeakables to them..it’s THAT sort of agreement.

REID! What are you thinking?! Cut this shit out and support the hold by Dodd. WE ARE SICK OF THIS DEMOCRATIC CAVING TO THE REPUBLICANS!

marymccurnin @ 44

john in sacramento @ 39

Incompetence

John,
Wanna drive over the mountains to see Reid?

Ya know, I used to live in Reno.

I’m embarrassed to say he used to be my Senator … although it’s not a lot better now with DiFi

PS Are you going there? His office there is on South Virginia Street

QuakerGirl @ 76

Something is out of tilt here. Reid isn’t so in love with Bush’s powers above the law. Something is going on. Did the Bush regimers threaten his family? This needs to be looked into rather than accepting it is a Reid whim. The Bush Regime is a criminal gang. How do criminal gangs hold power over the people? Make life-threatening threats. Like in Burma, Indonesia and many other countries, the junta remains in power because they threaten terrible things will happen to members of the family.

I think the year was 1980 when Amnesty International paid tribute to children. They named countries that practiced the torture of children to silence the parents and control them. It works well. Indonesia was at the top of the list. My Indonesian friends here in America would say nothing about the Indonesia government other than they had family members still living there. Henry Kissinger supported the Indonesian junta’s practice. If it was OK there, why not here?

I wouldn’t put it past BushCo.

I suspected arms were being twisted for immunity on arguments telco suits would take down the fragile economy. Dodd placing the hold suggests he doesn’t fear that.

Odd Harry is ignoring him ……difficult to follow anything when titans and big money are in play.

More info on how Reid has handled holds would be greatly appreciated.

Is Reid tired of being Majority Leader?

What works when calling/emailing his office?

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

SunnyNobility @ 91

I suspected arms were being twisted for immunity on arguments telco suits would take down the fragile economy. Dodd placing the hold suggests he doesn’t fear that.

Odd Harry is ignoring him ……difficult to follow anything when titans and big money are in play.

I’m pretty skeptical of that explanation to begin with – does that mean that *any* company vital to the economy should be immune from prosecution?

I guess it’s time for Microsoft to go on a homicidal rampage…

Something just came to mind about this that might have something to do with Mr. Reid and his, ahem, reluctance to support Dodd:
1) Anyone see the story within the past couple of days about AG Gonzalez using DOJ employees to investigate people at DOJ who he thought might testify against him?
2) Or the story about in ???(Michigan) where Gonzalez used FBI etc. to investigate and go after people who had contributed money to John Edwards in 2004?
Would it be a stretch at all that Gonzalez would do such things to high ranking members of Congress? Would it? And hang stuff over their heads?
I think perhaps Mr. Reid is on the hook. And I think he is NOT alone up there.

did anyone hear olberman allow alter to put someone down that spoke out against killing children? incredible. to watch such a turn around from his asking tough questions to allowing a putz to claim Bush doesn’t like to kill children is beyond the pale?

guess he too has been paid off. like reid. pure human garbage. our leaders. do us all a favor, retire and begin to actually serve the people

poor keith, you seem to have shown a very strange and disgusting side

jawbone, aka Rabid Lamb with Venoumous Fangs @ 92

More info on how Reid has handled holds would be greatly appreciated.

Is Reid tired of being Majority Leader?

What works when calling/emailing his office?

I call at least three times a week. I work with the Democratic Party in Reno. No one knows what is going on. Something is awry and has been for some time. He pays little attention to his constituents. This is unlike Reid of the past.

Must be time to write to all Democratic Senators and have a little chat. I know you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, but I gotta tell you, at this point, it’s terribly hard not to use acid. They need serious straightening out. Somebody needs to get across to them that being a wimp is not being a winner! How low can they go?

Jonathan Alter on KO saying that what Pete Stark said was “stupid” and, that he should back down and apologize…

Eli @ 47

john in sacramento @ 39

Incompetence

Heh. You know, it’s funny how we agree with Broder on Reid’s incompetence, but we have the exact opposite reasons…

As they say, Broder has his head so far up his ass he can smell the Bryl Cream.

Could this explain the media blackout on this move by Dodd? Would other well-connected presidential candidates have the clout to do this? Isn’t this newsworthy?

Toby Wollin @ 95

Would it be a stretch at all that Gonzalez would do such things to high ranking members of Congress? Would it? And hang stuff over their heads?
I think perhaps Mr. Reid is on the hook. And I think he is NOT alone up there.

Gonzales, at the behest of Richard Bruce Cheney et al. It’s 21st century J. Edgar Hoover stuff.

I agree with Teddy in SF above. If the WH had the ability to illegally wiretap domestically, who do you think they targeted? I imagine a few targets would have been key members of the judiciary and intelligence committees. It only takes a few highly compromised members to get a Dem cave-in.

I think this administration is acting out Nixon’s most extreme fantasies, and getting away with it. We are living in a Costa-Gavras movie.

The media narrative of the night seems to be ‘democrats are wimps’ — breaking! news flash!

When they do show some spine like Stark (stupid?) or Dodd (crickets) — if it doesn’t fit, we must omit…

jawbone, aka Rabid Lamb with Venoumous Fangs @ 92

More info on how Reid has handled holds would be greatly appreciated.

Is Reid tired of being Majority Leader?

What works when calling/emailing his office?

If they ask for a zip code try 89501 or better yet, use 89509 (Caughlin Ranch) where many of the c*si*o executives live

Pepper Jack @ 103

I think this administration is acting out Nixon’s most extreme fantasies, and getting away with it. We are living in a Costa-Gavras movie.

“W”

How on Earth did we EVER get such spineless leaders as Reid and Pelosi? What did we ever do to deserve them? Jesus.

Reid: just another case of the leaders “leading” and hoping that the advocates who elected them STFU.

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

I’m with you about doing something, Pach, but less interested in the idea of hurting Reid. In my mind, much though I despise what he’s doing, the big picture is FISA and the constitution–and the fascist state we’re becoming. I’m picturing teach-ins about the Bill of Rights. And a national strike.

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

I agree. Strategic financing can be very effective. Instead of demeaning Reid, let’s ask him point blank if the Bush Administration or anyone connected with it is threatening his family to make him side with them over and over and over.

Personally, I can’t remember when last he didn’t since he’s taken Senate lead.

Can you spell M-A-F-I-A?

musicsleuth @ 104

The media narrative of the night seems to be ‘democrats are wimps’ — breaking! news flash!

When they do show some spine like Stark (stupid?) or Dodd (crickets) — if it doesn’t fit, we must omit…

If you’re a Democrat, there is no middle ground between “wimpy” and “crazy/angry”.

Ried’s election spending has gone up.

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Send him rubber jellyfish.

Obama, Edwards and Clinton should be gnashing their teeth over this one. Dodd has an opportunity to really distinguish himself in a fight against a hated Democratic leadership (and yes- hated is the right word. The Right despises them on principles and, should Reid let this come to the floor over Dodd’s objection, then the Left should despise them for their lack of principles) and against a power mad Executive.

Oh- AND against greedy corporations that violated the privacy of their customers.

Could turn out very well for Senator Dodd.

jayt @ 99

Jonathan Alter on KO saying that what Pete Stark said was “stupid” and, that he should back down and apologize…

Jonathon Alter is just another stealth neo-con. It is about time, we get some truth. STARK ROCKS!

Speaking on the House floor, Stark said, “Under the Republican plan, by
2017, we probably will have killed 20,000 soldiers in Iraq, spending
$200 billion.”

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) rose to protest the remark and asked that Stark’s words be taken down, a formal procedure to punish a member of Congress for breaching the House’s standards of decorum.

The chair later ruled that Stark’s comment did not refer to any specific House member and thus were appropriate.

Earlier in the SCHIP debate, Stark had made other spirited remarks.

“You don’t have money to fund the war or children,” he said. “But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.”

At this point, what’s important is not that Dodd fights like hell, but that he find 40 friends to fight with him.

Call your Senators…

I wonder if Harry’s staff knows about the shit storm that is going to hit them tomorrow if they don’t get out on top this quickly.

Eli @ 105

Pepper Jack @ 103

I think this administration is acting out Nixon’s most extreme fantasies, and getting away with it. We are living in a Costa-Gavras movie.

“W”

“V”

or if you prefer,

“Z”

I was wondering where my 105 went, but now I get it. I wrote a word having to do with where one might gamble legally

For those who know a little Italian, it’s “little house”

At what point do we have to say that our government has lost all legitimacy and both political parties are obstacles to moving in a new direction? Both political parties see the “people” as irrelavent.

Hugh @ 113

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Send him rubber jellyfish.

That’s actually a good idea.

Jonathon Alter is just another stealth neo-con. It is about time, we get some truth. STARK ROCKS!

I see Alter as just another example of inside-the-beltway journo’s who have, finally, accepted that GWB is a moron, but still are unable or unwilling to make the jump that the man is EVIL.

Dana Millbank, otoh, quite possibly a stealth neo-con. Skull & Bones, ya know.

Diane @ 110

Can you spell M-A-F-I-A?

no but you can :D

It’s time for a clean sweep of congress. There are only a handful of people who should be allowed to stay. For the most part, our leaders are disgusting. There really is no other way to see it. Incumbency has protected too many for too long. We need a “quiet revolution”, one in which we replace those who clearly are more concerned with themselves than with the country. It has to start with the primary races. If we make it clear that no incumbent is safe unless and until he/she can justify their record for the past two years, perhaps we will see a change in behavior.

cleter @ 121

Hugh @ 113

Send him rubber jellyfish.

That’s actually a good idea.

You sound surprised. *g*

I appreciate the ideas, but we haven’t hit a winner yet.

For example, Quaker Girl: Reid won’t answer the question, and it won’t get us any closer to building power or momentum.

Also, on another point above, blogs do not have the capacity to organize a national strike, and there’s no popular awareness or support to implement such a thing even if there were some entity or set of coalitions able to call for such a thing.

We need a hero, and a villian.

We have a hero, and we can help him. Reid is the most proximate villain, perhaps. He needs to be hurt using the means we actually have in our control. That means media, organizing, reaching out to coalitions, perhaps Nevada coalitions and blogs. . . I’m open to more ideas, and for sure, we’re having these conversations offline, too.

Is there any possibility that this isn’t true?

Rubber jelly fish
It’s $3.50. Costs about as much as the stamps, if I recall.

cleter @ 128

Rubber jelly fish
It’s $3.50. Costs about as much as the stamps, if I recall.

Linkie no workie.

Jacob M @ 114

Oh- AND against greedy corporations that violated the privacy of their customers.

You know, it really makes me wonder how much the Intellectual property issue, riaa and dcma, has spilt over into datamining efforts. Media companies would absolutely buy a stake in that power.

solai, Via TPMmuckraker,

Tim Starks of Congressional Quarterly reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to bring the Senate’s surveillance bill up for floor debate in mid-November. That’s despite the hold that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) plans to place on the measure — something first reported by Election Central’s Greg Sargent.

Connecticut Bob @ 107

How on Earth did we EVER get such spineless leaders as Reid and Pelosi? What did we ever do to deserve them? Jesus.

And what are we doing to deserve Hillary?

Eli @ 94

SunnyNobility @ 91

I suspected arms were being twisted for immunity on arguments telco suits would take down the fragile economy. Dodd placing the hold suggests he doesn’t fear that.

Odd Harry is ignoring him ……difficult to follow anything when titans and big money are in play.

I’m pretty skeptical of that explanation to begin with – does that mean that *any* company vital to the economy should be immune from prosecution?

I guess it’s time for Microsoft to go on a homicidal rampage…

Eli, that’s obviously the counter argument. Otherwise, national interests would require breaking up the huge multi-nationals. And we certainly can’t have that *g*

(that said, I do think many are more spooked about the economy than they are letting on)

Which Senators are top recipients of telco contributions?

marymccurnin @ 130

cleter @ 128

Rubber jelly fish
It’s $3.50. Costs about as much as the stamps, if I recall.

Linkie no workie.

Oh hell. I’m retarded then. I used the linky thing on the comments box. It’s the rubber jelly fish at amazon.

Just dropped in briefly and saw this post. Reid has GOT TO GO. I’ve had it with him, and with Pelosi too for that matter. You could carve leaders of the party with more backbone out of overripe bananas. I’m really, really, REALLY annoyed.

Another dream. Dodd becomes president. Lamont takes Dodd’s place.

There needs to be schism in the Democratic Party right now, perhaps with a Progressive Democratic Party separating from the DLC controlled one. The money would be with the DLC, but the votes would be with the splinter group.

jellyfish

Pachacutec @ 127

I appreciate the ideas, but we haven’t hit a winner yet.

For example, Quaker Girl: Reid won’t answer the question, and it won’t get us any closer to building power or momentum.

Also, on another point above, blogs do not have the capacity to organize a national strike, and there’s no popular awareness or support to implement such a thing even if there were some entity or set of coalitions able to call for such a thing.

We need a hero, and a villian.

We have a hero, and we can help him. Reid is the most proximate villain, perhaps. He needs to be hurt using the means we actually have in our control. That means media, organizing, reaching out to coalitions, perhaps Nevada coalitions and blogs. . . I’m open to more ideas, and for sure, we’re having these conversations offline, too.

What about targeted ads aimed at diverting donations from the DLC et.al to the Progressive Patriots and ActBlue?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 138

Another dream. Dodd becomes president. Lamont takes Dodd’s place.

Sweet baby jesus! I hadn’t even thought of that! It’s like a twofer!

Wait, doesn’t CT have a GOP governor, though?

Gotta run, have a volunteer meeting for a conference

marymcnurnin and quakergirl if you all wanna organize some kind of sit down at Reid’s office let me know. marymcnurnin has my email. quakergirl if mary’s not online anymore let me know if you want my email on some other thread

L8r

Oklahoma kiddo @ 138

Another dream. Dodd becomes president. Lamont takes Dodd’s place.

*Gore* becomes president. Appoints Lieberman Secretary of Sewer Management. Lamont takes Lieberman’s place.

Pachacutec @ 127

I appreciate the ideas, but we haven’t hit a winner yet.

For example, Quaker Girl: Reid won’t answer the question, and it won’t get us any closer to building power or momentum.

Also, on another point above, blogs do not have the capacity to organize a national strike, and there’s no popular awareness or support to implement such a thing even if there were some entity or set of coalitions able to call for such a thing.

We need a hero, and a villian.

We have a hero, and we can help him. Reid is the most proximate villain, perhaps. He needs to be hurt using the means we actually have in our control. That means media, organizing, reaching out to coalitions, perhaps Nevada coalitions and blogs. . . I’m open to more ideas, and for sure, we’re having these conversations offline, too.

Pach, alas, the last time I checked Nevada political blogs, there didn’t seem to be much there there. FDLer BobbyG might have some ideas- contact him?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 133

Connecticut Bob @ 107

How on Earth did we EVER get such spineless leaders as Reid and Pelosi? What did we ever do to deserve them? Jesus.

And what are we doing to deserve Hillary?

We do not deserve Hillary!

WTF is going on with Reid??? Will he ever grow a spine??? I’m appalled at this utter Fuckery!!!

The Democrats can’t seem to look beyond 2008. The Republicans don’t suffer this malady.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 137

Another dream. Dodd becomes president. Lamont takes Dodd’s place.

Unfortunately, CT has an R governor who would pick someone like Shays or Nancy Johnson or the like.

Been out of the loop for a while, explain to me what difference it will make bringing it up for a floor debate?
Whats to debate?
The telcos broke the law and knew they were when they did it.
The rest of us want FISA straightened out like it should have been before they rammed it through but Bush wants to protect his enablers.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 137

Another dream. Dodd becomes president. Lamont takes Dodd’s place.

Best dream ever.

What about targeted ads aimed at diverting donations from the DLC et.al the Progressive Patriots and ActBlue?

Hmm. . . more doable, but I’m not sure 1) we’d actually get any DLC money to move. 2) it creates a compelling leverage point on this particular fight.

The DLC is losing relevance as an organization. This is not to say that the corporatists are not organized and powerful – they are, as Reid’s efforts to throw one of his own under the bus demonstrate – but that the way these folks organize is more diffused than the DLC as a nexus point, nowadays.

Taylor Marsh is in Nevada, and she would know the players, or whoever may be rising.

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Boycott Las Vegas

Perhaps we should send Mr. Reid his very own spine since he apparently doesn’t have one.

Or, if he does, it is in dire need of a stiffening agent.

Prairie Sunshine @ 154

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Boycott Las Vegas

Now you’re talking.

Can Reid actually over ride a hold?
I guess that is where I am confused.

I’m going to go clean out the gutters before the rain starts. I need to do something physical so I won’t lose my frickin mind.

first the house leadership blocks holt’s fisa bill (the one the aclu supported), while rushing through their own piece of shit “restore act” and then undermines holt’s (and the progressives) to improve the “restore act”.

now the senate leadership undermines dodd’s efforts?

what fuckery all the way around.

i wish holt and dodd would get together to support a single bill that we could help discuss and advocate for.

So, did we decide not to flood his office with little rubber jelly fish?

I just wrote Schumer and Clinton a stiff email:
“Congressional Quarterly reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to bring the Senate’s surveillance bill up for floor debate in mid-November. That’s despite the hold that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) plans to place on the measure.
Why is he doing that? Why is he NOT supporting his own?
This is absolutely infuriating. Dodd is doing the right thing – he’s trying to put a stop to a piece of legislation that will not protect the American people AND at the same time gives a free pass to telecom companies who cooperated with Bush and Cheney and Gonzalez in illegal activities.
Again why is he doing this? Is Reid being blackmailed? Is he, like so many others, been subject to Gonzalez’s internal investigations and harassment?
This is unconscionable and needs to be dealt with. Immediately.
I call on you and Sen. Schumer to represent the State of New York in this matter and every resident and protect our privacy.
Support Sen. Dodd in this matter.
If Sen. Reid (or for that matter any other member of Congress) has been subject to Gonzalez’ tender ministrations, they should be encouraged to “come clean” – it can’t be any worse than Larry Craig and frankly, no matter what it is all about, the vast majority of Democrats and the rest of the American people will respect them for shining more sunlight on this corrupt and disgusting Administration.”
Sincerely,

Bustednuckles @ 157

Can Reid actually over ride a hold?
I guess that is where I am confused.

As I understand it, it is supposed to be a courtesy that when a hold is placed, the matter is not even brought to the floor for discussion. Reid, as the majority Leader controls the matters brought to the floor. If he allows FISA to come to the floor after a hold placed by a member of his own party, who is also a candidate for President, there has to be more to the story. Like blackmail.

I am reminded of that Nevada senator in Godfather II.

Boycott Las Vegas

Interesting, except it’s a good union city, and we don’t want to hurt our allies.

But we’re getting closer.

selise @ 159

first the house leadership blocks holt’s fisa bill (the one the aclu supported), while rushing through their own piece of shit “restore act” and then undermines holt’s (and the progressives) to improve the “restore act”.

now the senate leadership undermines dodd’s efforts?

what fuckery all the way around.

i wish holt and dodd would get together to support a single bill that we could help discuss and advocate for.

Fortunately, Dodd isn’t the only one who’s threatening to put a hold on FISA, Obama said he’ll put a hold if the markup has Telco immunity in it…!!! 8-)

Fortunately, Dodd isn’t the only one who’s threatening to put a hold on FISA, Obama said he’ll put a hold if the markup has Telco immunity in it…!!! 8-)

Link?

Anyone know the history of how Reid became D leader? It it was at all contentious, and he had supporters and non-supporters, this might comprise a short list of Senators to pressure- as in “talk to Reid”.

TeddySanFran @ 2

I think Reid’s behavior makes clear he or his loved ones are victims of NSA eavesdropping, in the hands of the West Wing. Come clean, Harry Reid. Tell what you know, and what they know about you and yours.

Maybe they have additional information on his Nevada land deal.

So, basically it’s
Et Tu, Reid?

This has to be causing some consternation in the ranks of Dem Senators too?

It’s time for Democrats to let Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi know they will be voted out for the lack of a sprine and pretending to be a member of congress. Vote them out.

Pachacutec @ 127

I appreciate the ideas, but we haven’t hit a winner yet.

For example, Quaker Girl: Reid won’t answer the question, and it won’t get us any closer to building power or momentum.

Also, on another point above, blogs do not have the capacity to organize a national strike, and there’s no popular awareness or support to implement such a thing even if there were some entity or set of coalitions able to call for such a thing.

We need a hero, and a villian.

We have a hero, and we can help him. Reid is the most proximate villain, perhaps. He needs to be hurt using the means we actually have in our control. That means media, organizing, reaching out to coalitions, perhaps Nevada coalitions and blogs. . . I’m open to more ideas, and for sure, we’re having these conversations offline, too.

Could you explain to me what the hell is meant by the “capacity to organize a national strike”? No one has the capacity to organize a national strike as far as I can tell. It has to come from a powerful, grass roots awareness that it’s time to take matters into our own hands. Going on with life as usual is simply no longer an option. After 9/11, Bush told us to get on with life as usual, deprive the terrorists of the satisfaction of disrupting our lives. We were all lulled to a a complacent sleep by his advice. Bush has done a masterful job of insulating the majority of us from the realities of the world, scaring us just enough from time to time to disrupt any organized resistance to his mind games.

ENOUGH already.

Let’s construct a manual for a national strike.

1. Participation should take us all out of our comfort zone, but should not subject most participants to retribution that will cause significant disruption of families or important social support systems.

2. Every participant should commit to recruiting others to the strike.

3. Every participant must make his/her participation as public as possible, especially notifying his/her political representatives.

4. Every participant should limit every possible financial transaction for the duration of the strike to dispel any notion of “business as usual”.

5. Every participant must try to help and support every other participant in his/her community during the strike.

6. No judgments will be made of those who choose not to participate. Every effort will be made to recruit non-participants with cogent arguments.

This is just a list from the top of my head. Add to it what you think it needs. This could spread quickly if we could get a group committed to action.

If anyone has the financial smarts to do it this site may uncover where Reid gets his dough from. I’ve got to get back to work now. I’m still so annoyed I can barely type.

Reid campaign finance information

I hope the linky works… I had a problem with them this morning. It works in preview…

Pachacutec @ 165

Fortunately, Dodd isn’t the only one who’s threatening to put a hold on FISA, Obama said he’ll put a hold if the markup has Telco immunity in it…!!! 8-)

Link?

No Problemo…

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/…..y_deal.php

Has darkblack done a graphic yet of Reid stabbing Dodd in the back?

This is pretty much what has happened. Back-stabbing.

cleter @ 160

So, did we decide not to flood his office with little rubber jelly fish?

I hope not, Cleter. I think it’s a great idea.

And what is the connection between Reid and Lieberman? The unobvious ‘connection’, the one we don’t see.

jayt @ 99

Jonathan Alter on KO saying that what Pete Stark said was “stupid” and, that he should back down and apologize…

stark was great – i was watching the house floor on c-span1 when he went off on the Rs the war and the children. awesome.

stark was stupid the same way telling the truth with passion is stupid.

fuck alter.

I don’t think you are going to get to him financially, I think this is a political muscle game.

Does the Dodd campaign sell bumper stickers or something? We could buy some sort of Dodd merchandise and send it to Reid. That would be a twofer. Dodd would get some money and Reid would get a message.

I like the idea of sending him a symbolic object. I thought the rubber stamp campaign was really good.

CTuttle @ 172

Pachacutec @ 165

Link?

No Problemo…

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/…..y_deal.php

I hope Feingold joins them. Stick it to Reid. He can Take his stupid butt back to Nevada.

Connecticut Bob @ 107

How on Earth did we EVER get such spineless leaders as Reid and Pelosi? What did we ever do to deserve them? Jesus.

they aren’t spineless when it comes to standing up to us.

Valley Girl @ 175

Has darkblack done a graphic yet of Reid stabbing Dodd in the back?

Or one showing a frail, doddering “former boxer” Harry Reid, getting knocked on his ass, by…hmmm – who?

Eileen Left @ 175

cleter @ 160

So, did we decide not to flood his office with little rubber jelly fish?

I hope not, Cleter. I think it’s a great idea.

Me too. I’ll make a deal. I will trade a commitment to sending rubber jellyfish to Reid if you will participate in starting a national strike. Deal?

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 179

CTuttle @ 172

No Problemo…

http://tpmelectioncentral.com/…..y_deal.php

I hope Feingold joins them. Stick it to Reid. He can Take his stupid butt back to Nevada.

Whitehouse, Too…!!! 8-)

Pachacutec @ 152

What about targeted ads aimed at diverting donations from the DLC et.al the Progressive Patriots and ActBlue?

Hmm. . . more doable, but I’m not sure 1) we’d actually get any DLC money to move. 2) it creates a compelling leverage point on this particular fight.

The DLC is losing relevance as an organization. This is not to say that the corporatists are not organized and powerful – they are, as Reid’s efforts to throw one of his own under the bus demonstrate – but that the way these folks organize is more diffused than the DLC as a nexus point, nowadays.

Good point. I imagine that the various lobbies can collaborate and focus on shared interests.

I do like the idea of a challenger to every bush dog but what about Sheehan being banned from dKos for challenging Pelosi?

jayt @ 181

Valley Girl @ 175

Has darkblack done a graphic yet of Reid stabbing Dodd in the back?

Or one showing a frail, doddering “former boxer” Harry Reid, getting knocked on his ass, by…hmmm – who?

jelly fish! jelly fish!

If multiple Senators place a hold would multiple votes be required to remove the hold?

Prairie Sunshine @ 154

Pachacutec @ 93

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Boycott Las Vegas

I do!

Imavehmontah @ 182

Eileen Left @ 175

I hope not, Cleter. I think it’s a great idea.

Me too. I’ll make a deal. I will trade a commitment to sending rubber jellyfish to Reid if you will participate in starting a national strike. Deal?

Deal.

Professor Foland @ 117

At this point, what’s important is not that Dodd fights like hell, but that he find 40 friends to fight with him.

Call your Senators…

yes, first thing in the morning.

Eureka Springs @ 187

If multiple Senators place a hold would multiple votes be required to remove the hold?

That is a great question! Selise?

selise @ 181

they aren’t spineless when it comes to standing up to us.

*That’s* what pisses me off the most. When they want to look tough, they direct their fire at *us* instead of the Republicans.

Eli @ 53

Absolutely – I want to see *all* their sorry asses primaried. But we can’t just conjure primary opponents up out of thin air – someone has to be disgusted enough to be willing to put up with the horrible, vicious bullshit of a campaign. Two campaigns, really.

That’s where the Fifty-State Strategy comes in. Dean’s idea of having permanent Democratic presences and party org structures in even the reddest states means that there’s a crew of newcomers that have got a couple of years under their belt. And most of the newbies are progs.

This, my friends, is why I back the DNC under Dean, even though I have no time for the DSCC or the D-Trip (DCCC). It’s because the DNC under Dean is working with DFA (run by brother Jim Dean) to revive the Democratic wing of the Democratic party.

And that is precisely why the DNC isn’t getting the big corporate bucks that are flowing to the D-Trip or the DSCC. The suits know full well what Howard’s trying to pull off, and they don’t want to fund that.

I do like the idea of a challenger to every bush dog but what about Sheehan being banned from dKos for challenging Pelosi?

wow. just. wow.

boycott Searchlight, Nevada?

Marion in Savannah @ 171

If anyone has the financial smarts to do it this site may uncover where Reid gets his dough from. I’ve got to get back to work now. I’m still so annoyed I can barely type.

Reid campaign finance information

I hope the linky works… I had a problem with them this morning. It works in preview…

Holy cow!! Reid spent close to 8 million against a Republican who spent $650,000. Why does Nevada love him so? Even with Vegas, it’s been a pretty red state lately.

Another Progressive Patriot stands up. From Senator Russ Feingold’s website:

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Senate Intelligence Committee’s Consideration of FISA Legislation
October 18, 2007

“As a member of the SSCI, I will strongly oppose any FISA legislation that fails to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, overseas and here at home. When the Committee considers this legislation today, I will also fight to reject immunity for anyone alleged to have cooperated with the Administration’s illegal warrantless wiretapping program. The documents made available by the White House for the first time this week only further demonstrate that the program was illegal and that there is no basis for granting retroactive immunity to those who allegedly cooperated. The one silver lining of the flawed FISA bill passed in August was that it had a 6-month expiration date. It would be shameful to miss this opportunity to fix the law. It is time for Congress to stand up for the rights of Americans and to defend the Constitution and the rule of law.”

(My Bold)

This is how to pressure Reid – Obama issues a statement coming out against retroactive immunity. Now Clinton will have to as well. And once the big name candidates are on record, the MSM will finally wake up, catch on, and turn to Harry. Well, Harry? How about it?

(”Retroactive immunity.” Christ, still can’t believe we’re even discussing it.)

Eureka Springs @ 193

I do like the idea of a challenger to every bush dog but what about Sheehan being banned from dKos for challenging Pelosi?

wow. just. wow.

Because she is leaving the Democratic party to do it. Not saying I agree with it all, but that is why as far as I know.

Phoenix Woman @ 192

Eli @ 53

Absolutely – I want to see *all* their sorry asses primaried. But we can’t just conjure primary opponents up out of thin air – someone has to be disgusted enough to be willing to put up with the horrible, vicious bullshit of a campaign. Two campaigns, really.

That’s where the Fifty-State Strategy comes in. Dean’s idea of having permanent Democratic presences and party org structures in even the reddest states means that there’s a crew of newcomers that have got a couple of years under their belt. And most of the newbies are progs.

This, my friends, is why I back the DNC under Dean, even though I have no time for the DSCC or the D-Trip (DCCC). It’s because the DNC under Dean is working with DFA (run by brother Jim Dean) to revive the Democratic wing of the Democratic party.

And that is precisely why the DNC isn’t getting the big corporate bucks that are flowing to the D-Trip or the DSCC. The suits know full well what Howard’s trying to pull off, and they don’t want to fund that.

I would certainly appreciate Howard Dean actually saying something… *crickets* doesn’t cut it…!!! 8-(

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 199

Eureka Springs @ 193

wow. just. wow.

Because she is leaving the Democratic party to do it. Not saying I agree with it all, but that is why as far as I know.

You have to be a member of the Democratic party to post on Kos?

Oh, poor little Harry Reid.

Funny how some Democrats won’t say “boo!” to fight *Republicans*, but will rage with violent disdain when a *Democrat* challenges them.

The objective here is to make it so politically uncomfortable to Reid for him to do this that he won’t.
The $64,000. question is how to bring the pressure to that point.

The Obama quote does not say anything about joining in a hold on the bill. It just says he’s against the bill.

That’s nice. But what will he do about it? He doesn’t even commit to voting against the bill, as he leaves himself open to revisions of some sort. You can drive a convoy through that statement.

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 65

Eli @ 59

Right now they hate us a lot more than they fear us.

Why do you think I mentioned money? They need to fear us. They only way to make that happen is to raise money and unseat some of these tools. Then they’ll fear us. Not before.

Exactly right. We need to put money behind viable primary challengers. Even if we lose, just the fact that there is opposition will change the thinking.

Stephanie Miller on MSNBC!

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

Mad Dogs @ 196

Another Progressive Patriot stands up. From Senator Russ Feingold’s website:

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold
On the Senate Intelligence Committee’s Consideration of FISA Legislation
October 18, 2007

“As a member of the SSCI, I will strongly oppose any FISA legislation that fails to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans, overseas and here at home. When the Committee considers this legislation today, I will also fight to reject immunity for anyone alleged to have cooperated with the Administration’s illegal warrantless wiretapping program. The documents made available by the White House for the first time this week only further demonstrate that the program was illegal and that there is no basis for granting retroactive immunity to those who allegedly cooperated. The one silver lining of the flawed FISA bill passed in August was that it had a 6-month expiration date. It would be shameful to miss this opportunity to fix the law. It is time for Congress to stand up for the rights of Americans and to defend the Constitution and the rule of law.”

(My Bold)

He better join Dodd and Obama in putting a hold on this. You can do it Russ!!

If you can afford 25 bucks, you could buy a copy of Dodd’s book, via the Dodd 2008 site, and send it to Harry Reid.

For 28.50, you could send Reid Dodd’s book, and a jellyfish. If you buy Letters from Nuremberg: My Father’s Narrative of a Quest for Justice by Senator Christopher Dodd and Lary Bloom for Senator Reid, be sure and highlight this part for him:

For some sixty years, the Nuremberg trials have demonstrated the resolve of the United States and its fellow Allied victors of the Second World War to uphold the principles of dispassionate justice and the rule of law…

I am so damn sick of this Iraq war. Pete Stark said what needed to be said.

Eureka Springs @ 194

I do like the idea of a challenger to every bush dog but what about Sheehan being banned from dKos for challenging Pelosi?

wow. just. wow.

Yeah, I don’t get it.

Valley Girl @ 174

Has darkblack done a graphic yet of Reid stabbing Dodd in the back?

This is pretty much what has happened. Back-stabbing.

while trying to stab all american citizens in the back?
with the telcos cheering him on?

Pachacutec @ 92

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Anything having to do with gambling raises his interest.

Has the Democratic front runner commented on Dodd’s hold action?

Dodd needs to follow the lead of the Iraqi’s and just say,

A Big Fat No!!

Eli @ 200

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 199

Because she is leaving the Democratic party to do it. Not saying I agree with it all, but that is why as far as I know.

You have to be a member of the Democratic party to post on Kos?

No. I believe you can’t advocate for third party candidates or Republicans. Like diaries and such. As Kos said, they are committed to electing Democrats. I am sure Jane or someone else knows Kos’ rules better than I.

Pachacutec @ 203

The Obama quote does not say anything about joining in a hold on the bill. It just says he’s against the bill.

That’s nice. But what will he do about it? He doesn’t even commit to voting against the bill, as he leaves himself open to revisions of some sort. You can drive a convoy through that statement.

Dang, you certainly parse their rhetoric, eh??? ;-)

Eureka Springs @ 193

I do like the idea of a challenger to every bush dog but what about Sheehan being banned from dKos for challenging Pelosi?

wow. just. wow.

She apparently is actually a Republican, but I didn’t think she was banned.

Valley Girl @ 191

Eureka Springs @ 187

If multiple Senators place a hold would multiple votes be required to remove the hold?

That is a great question! Selise?

doubt it… but i’m no expert. luckily pow wow is here!

Mukasey isn’t prepared to say that “waterboarding” is torture?

No surprise there. Reid is a Republican, has been since day one.

Eureka Springs @ 186

If multiple Senators place a hold would multiple votes be required to remove the hold?

No. Just one. Reid would have to get 60 votes to remove the hold.

pow wow @ 206

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

pow wow! Well, that is an important point that needs to be clarified. Pach? Anyone?

Phoenix Woman @ 213

Pachacutec @ 92

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

Anything having to do with gambling raises his interest.

CT has a couple of c*sin*s

pow wow @ 206

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

That’s what I’m wondering. Is someone trying to make us crazy?

pow wow @ 206

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

That could be. Of course, it’s after hours now so we won’t find out until tomorrow.

That doesn’t mean we can’t melt Reid’s phones and fax machines tonight.

selise @ 176

jayt @ 99

Jonathan Alter on KO saying that what Pete Stark said was “stupid” and, that he should back down and apologize…

stark was great – i was watching the house floor on c-span1 when he went off on the Rs the war and the children. awesome.

stark was stupid the same way telling the truth with passion is stupid.

fuck alter.

Alter can take his comment and stick it where the sun don’t shine. He’s an embarassment.

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 199

Eureka Springs @ 193

wow. just. wow.

Because she is leaving the Democratic party to do it. Not saying I agree with it all, but that is why as far as I know.

Ah, I hadn’t been following it. Still seems weird to me.

Phoenix Woman @ 226

pow wow @ 206

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

That could be. Of course, it’s after hours now so we won’t find out until tomorrow.

That doesn’t mean we can’t melt Reid’s phones and fax machines tonight.

If that’s not what Reid meant, then Sparks is guilty of some pretty serious wankery. Maybe more like journalistic malpractice.

“That’s despite the hold that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) plans to place on the measure”

Phoenix Woman @ 218

Eureka Springs @ 193

wow. just. wow.

She apparently is actually a Republican, but I didn’t think she was banned.

not a republican. and i also don’t think banned. just can’t post about her pelosi challenge because she’s doing it as an independent and not as a primary challenge.

frustrating because daily kos didn’t used to be a democratic blog – but that was before advertising, when he depended on us readers to support the blog via donations.

Who runs the Democratic Party today? Nancy, Harry, and Hillary.

We’ve evolved, “Just say no”…to… Big Fat NO!!!!

What part of No spying on Americans, No immunity for Telecoms’ illegal activities, No more war in Iraq, No new war in Iran, No more Neocon agenda…What part of this don’t they get????

Just get it. NO.

Non, Nyet, Nei, Nicht….

pow wow @ 207

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

I had wondered that.

Phoenix Woman @ 225

pow wow @ 206

Cautionary note:

Is it possible that the Sparks CQ interview with Reid about the timing of this bill was done before Reid was informed of Dodd’s decision to place a hold on any bill with retroactive immunity (a decision which took place sometime this afternoon, presumably at about the same time as the Reid interview)?

That could be. Of course, it’s after hours now so we won’t find out until tomorrow.

That doesn’t mean we can’t melt Reid’s phones and fax machines tonight.

You can email Reid through his Senate web site. As majority leader, he does accept emails from around the country.

Pachacutec @ 92

We can’t outraise Verizon. Comcast and AT&T on this. Money is not our immediate term leverage. Our megaphone and collective action is more powerful.

I’m all for raising money, as people around here know. But we need to be strategically smart and thoughtful about how we develop effective power.

How can we hurt Reid, politically? What popular, visible actions can people take?

That’s where we need to be thinking.

How about a full-page ad asking why he’s backing Bush, instead of Democrats?

(More sharply worded than that, of course)

We need to publicly humiliate spineless, craven Bush enablers like Reid, asap.

Then in primary season, they need to be replaced.

Jay Rockefeller and Dianne Feinstein got to go, too.

Professor Foland @ 117

At this point, what’s important is not that Dodd fights like hell, but that he find 40 friends to fight with him.

Call your Senators…

uh…may I call your senators instead – am not speaking to DiFi or Boxer da Lieberman lover?

annoucement: Jane is upstairs.
Whoops, lost the copy….

I left a question at Sen. Dodds website. May not get answered for hours (days), of course.

How about a full-page ad asking why he’s backing Bush, instead of Democrats?

(More sharply worded than that, of course)

We need to publicly humiliate spineless, craven Bush enablers like Reid, asap.

Then in primary season, they need to be replaced.

Jay Rockefeller and Dianne Feinstein got to go, too.

Ads might be good, but in state platforms, these are very expensive media markets, and ads by themselves are not enough. They need to generate action, populist action, across progressive groups and allies. We’d need to raise a lot of money, in CA for Feinstein, though better to focus on Reid in Nevada, where it will be less expensive (but still more pricey than what we bought in congressional districts with smaller papers).

We have not yet covered the costs of the other ads we bought, so I’d need to feel we could actually make this work on the financial side.

We’re getting closer, though.

What a scumbag. Yeah I know, not very articulate but I am otherwise speechless

New Jane .k\
Bring your own cattle.

Reid is trying to shore up Hillary for the general election… Collectively, if we say we are sitting on our hands for the election , I am sure that would get their attention. Announce a boycott !!!!!

Valley Girl @ 191

Eureka Springs @ 187

If multiple Senators place a hold would multiple votes be required to remove the hold?

That is a great question! Selise?

I don’t know about the votes, but I wonder how the senators feel about losing their individual hold power at the discretion of *one* senator. (Would Harry be making this decision alone???)

A campaign to encourage each senator to submit a hold (or explain why not) might get some publicity. And public sunshine on the indemnity crap couldn’t hurt. Nobody likes their telco…

selise @ 218

Valley Girl @ 191

That is a great question! Selise?

doubt it… but i’m no expert. luckily pow wow is here!

I agree with Joe Klein’s c. @ 221 – multiple holds on the same bill just multiply the impact of the hold – and would make the possibility of an effort to bring it to the floor even more unlikely – but it would still be only one vote on one motion to proceed, requiring 60 votes, if the measure was brought to the floor by Reid in an attempt to force debate and later a vote in spite of the hold.

Good point, Eli @ 228 – That would be sort of like yelling FIRE in a theater, if that’s the way Starks phrased it despite Reid perhaps never mentioning the hold in his comments. Unless perhaps it’s TPm’s Ackerman who phrased it that way (”That’s despite the hold”), rather than Starks.

The post has been up since 5:01 at TPMElection Central, well over 4 hrs. Plenty of time to send out a correction.

Loo Hoo. @ 26

This makes no sense at all. Unless, as Teddy says, there is some dirt to be exposed. Exposing it, however would prove the need for the telecoms to be reined in.

Even Tweety is disgusted with the dems.

It makes perfect sense. The TELCOS are being sued for Billions, with a big Ol’ B, for having wiretapped everyone.

Harry is doing what our current generation of pols does, ‘Protect the money….’

It’s up to us to act as the evolutionary equivalent of Trex and drag down and dismember the one’s who are so sated with lobbyist cash that they can’t function for their constituents.

We need to eliminate the this kind of thinking from the politician’s gene pool by eliminating Mr. Reid and all his ilk.

Gonna take a while, no doubt, but it’s the only way.

‘Dismember the Corporatists!’

cleter @ 188

Imavehmontah @ 182

Me too. I’ll make a deal. I will trade a commitment to sending rubber jellyfish to Reid if you will participate in starting a national strike. Deal?

Where do I send the jellyfish?

Deal.

Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?

As much as I would like to see Nancy and Harry go I don’t think there is much chance if any of Nancy being unseated. I can’t say the same for Harry, I don’t know Nevada politics all that well. I do however know SF, and if her seat came up SF weirdos would run a dozen Chicken John candidates and elect Gavin Newsom or split the vote so badly that we’d end up with a Republican.

Pachacutec @ 126

We need a hero, and a villain.

Very perceptive.

Pairs are static, triads are dynamic, so why not a hero, a villain, and a tragic figure?

1. The hero is Dodd

2. The villain is Bush

3. The tragic figure is Reid.

Dodd is the hero for obvious reasons.

Bush is the villain, again for obvious reasons (my hits skyrocket when I work “Bush” into a headline).

Reid is a tragic figure because he’s being blackmailed by Bush using information from the NSA intercepts — i.e., ratf*cking, which is what we’ve known all along is what the program was for. Which is what people here have been saying.

The story gets legs because:

1. Puts the fear in Reid. “Let him deny it.”

2. Gives the trad press the gossipy narrative they love.

3. Gives the blogosphere the research angle, and the polls (think “goats”) that they love…

4. May even be true, which is always an advantage. People above commented that Reid’s behavior had changed, recently. There’s a reason for that.

Maybe some A-lister with good press contacts could contact McClatchy’s Landy on deep background and ask him what he meant by “explosive disclosures” in this story.

Syd B aka Johnny Rotten @ 246

Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?

Every day lately, mate, every bloody day.

Harry Reid is a Mormon, just like Mitt Romney, so there isn’t really much difference between the two.

This is like the five Catholics currently sitting on the U.S. Supreme Court who consistently vote as a bloc to block the other four Justices from defending our Constitution and the Bill of Rights from un-American encroachments by the radical right, as these five Catholic justices follow the dictates of Pope Ratzinger in Rome, who’d like nothing more than to see America turned into a Vatican satellite theocratic state.

So, Reid and Romney, being good, orthodox Mormons, ask themselves daily a question that many Christians ask…”what would Joseph Smith do?” Ummm, or something like that.

What to do ?

- Give money to Dodd. (I just did)

- call / write your Senator and tell them to support him.

- if Obama / Edwards / Clinton people call, tell them no money and no support until they support Dodd in public.

Before everyone goes off half-cock on Reid–

What kind of hot fuckery is the White House and Scary McConnell dangling in front of those with sufficient of a clearance to be scaremongered?

That’s the story behind the story. And it’s going to take someone in a high Congressional position, frankly, to risk the Bush Justice dept coming down upon his or her head in order to make clear what’s going on.

I have been warming up to Dodd for more than a month now. I heard him on with Ed Schultz talking about his father being a prosecutor at nuremburg…He has been talking the talk much like Kucinich. I think if the VOTERS can think their way past the MSM and vote for Dodd he can gobsmack them. This move by reid is totally through the looking glass of bizarro world…I really have had it with the lot of them, except for Dodd, Feingold, Leahy… Sanders and Boxer…occaisionally Biden we have been sold down the river by these gelatenous masses of protoplasm. Shit! a lame goddamn duck with a 24% (max) approval flexes his ‘relevancy’ and skid marks the constitution.

Do more than think about Dodd.

dakine01 @ 160

Bustednuckles @ 157

Can Reid actually over ride a hold?
I guess that is where I am confused.

As I understand it, it is supposed to be a courtesy that when a hold is placed, the matter is not even brought to the floor for discussion. Reid, as the majority Leader controls the matters brought to the floor. If he allows FISA to come to the floor after a hold placed by a member of his own party, who is also a candidate for President, there has to be more to the story. Like blackmail.

Isn’t the procedure that the Speaker takes a “straw poll” and determines if over 60% of the Senators support the legislation….then he allows a vote by the members to withdraw the “hold”. If 60% insist the “hold” is pulled then it is placed aside and the bilol comes to the floor for a vote.

I don’t think a Speaker has EVER IGNORED a hold. While “holds” are not part of the Senate Rules, it is a custom that simply isn’t treated with such disrespect. And the fact that Reid would do so to a fellow Democrat when he knows there is SIGNIFICANT opposition from the grassroots and public…it’s unheard of.

But let’s for a moment say he opposes the “Restore FISA” Act passed out of the SJC? It would mean that his vote counts indicate that there is not enough support to pass it outright. That it would fall.

But why not simply allow Dodds “hold” to come for a vote. That way he could more accurately census opposition. And it would have the same effect of tabling the Bill.

But if he supports the awful “Restore Act” then by not bringing Dodd’s Hold to the floor, means that either he KNOWS that there are not the 60 votes to pull Dodds “hold”. That would mean that he is knows that there is significant Democratic opposition to this Bill. He is pandering to less than 20% of his Blue Dogs and going against what 80% (the 40 Senators) his own party wants!

Perhaps he is simply bringing the hold up for the vote

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 194

Marion in Savannah @ 171

If anyone has the financial smarts to do it this site may uncover where Reid gets his dough from. I’ve got to get back to work now. I’m still so annoyed I can barely type.

Reid campaign finance information

I hope the linky works… I had a problem with them this morning. It works in preview…

Holy cow!! Reid spent close to 8 million against a Republican who spent $650,000. Why does Nevada love him so? Even with Vegas, it’s been a pretty red state lately.

Well “spending” can include contributions made to others campaigns…so essentially a lot of that money went to other Nevadan Democratic camapigns, as well as buying loyalty from Democrats in other Senatorial races.

Reids a corrupt, traitorous scumbag. Anyone who has defending his leadership to this point is nothing but a useful idiot. Useful to conservatives and conservatism, anyway. They are absolutely worthless to the rest of humanity.

Yep this is tasty:

“The draft Senate bill has the support of the intelligence committee’s chairman, John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), and Bush’s director of national intelligence, Mike McConnell. It will include full immunity for those companies that can demonstrate to a court that they acted pursuant to a legal directive in helping the government with surveillance in the United States.

Such a demonstration, which the bill says could be made in secret, would wipe out a series of pending lawsuits alleging violations of privacy rights by telecommunications companies that provided telephone records, summaries of e-mail traffic and other information to the government after Sept. 11, 2001, without receiving court warrants. Bush had repeatedly threatened to veto any legislation that lacked this provision.”

Legal directive and legal validity–translated “screw you.”

Can you spell Roll-over? When’s the last time you saw Leahy or Specter stop anything significant Republicans wanted in this Congress?

No one should be surprised. If you’re keeping score, the Democratic party has been caving on every important piece of legislation the last few years. They may have a mathematical edge, but the Republicans continue to win every battle and every war legislatively.

You’re so respected you’re being told absolutely nothing about what’s happening to this bill until it’s over and over will include complete Telco immunity.

Are you happy with this?

“Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., praised Rockefeller and Bond’s efforts to put together a bipartisan bill, but added that “I have concerns” about the legislation. She offered no specifics.”

Asked if he was comfortable with the legislation, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., would only say, “I’ll be doing some stuff in markup.”

Bond said “we’ll see” if other Republicans line up to support the legislation, noting that senators are “as independent as hogs on ice.”

Feinstein offered no specifics because you aren’t worth having any information given to you. That’s the way it’s been, that’s the way it’s continuing.

I don’t believe that Dodd or any Senator can put an actual “hold” on any bill. What Dodd did and what the media calls a “hold” was to object to the motion to proceed, and then cloture can and would be invoked to take care of that objection if Harry Reid hasn’t already gotten Dodd to withdraw his objection, just as it can be used to override a fillibuster, but I understand the media is decorated with the word “hold” all over the place because it’s a more dramatic headline and easier for the public to consume.

So much for Jack Goldsmith’s (former head of OLC) book and the “big mess” right?

That was a courageous thing for Dodd to do. Now, what if someone else does it? And then another?? We’d have a spontaneous Alice’s Restaurant “massa-cree” movement. it’s been so long since that kind of emotion was loose in the land, something to make you run out into the middle of the street and start whooping and hollering for joy. Wouldn’t that be GREAT?

Oh, hell. I can’t believe I said something positive.

Please forgive me.

For going that extra mile, and fearlessly opposing one of his own to make us even less safe than we were a few months ago from our own government, Harry Reid has earned his first Roll Over And Beg Award. We usually don’t give out solo Beggies, but in this case I’ve made an exception.

Well done, Senator Reid!

I just gave $50 to Dodd. How about you?

How clear does it have to get that the Democratic leaders have been the subject of threats from this administration? They probably get an email from an untraceable address about once a week with a photo of Paul Wellstone’s plane as an attachmnet.

Joo could try flooding Searchlight, Nevada, weeth jellyfish.

Thees act has the added attraction of being strange enough that eet might be carried by the news.

Joo would have to flood the postoffice, and send them by fed-ex and other routes as well.

so.

Great idea !El Gato. Any photoshoppers want to give us an online likeness?

Eli @ 68

Mysterious Traveller @ 62

Geez.

Do these guys even realize that the reason their poll numbers are in the shitter is because they keep caving into the least popular sitting president ever.?

No no no, it’s because the people are sick of Partisan Bickering. Only when Democrats and Republicans agree on everything will the people be happy.

The only things the Republicans would ever agree on with Dems is the dissolution of the Democrat Party and the crowning of King George.

Of course, even Vichy Dems have their limits. They wouldn’t want to see their Party dissolved.

Eureka Springs @ 133

Which Senators are top recipients of telco contributions?

Is it corporations or just their employees (executives) which/who give the money?

Does a CEO force his juniors to give money? How can you tell if he claims he isn’t forcing them?

Why is it again that a corporation has ANY say in politics?

Oklahoma kiddo @ 218

Mukasey isn’t prepared to say that “waterboarding” is torture?

EDITED IN MODERATION, so he can clarify his statement.

If he doesn’t understand or refuses to acknowledge the truth, then he certainly isn’t right for AG.

~~~ModNote: Violent descriptions are forbidden here, and have been deleted.~~~

Reid is one big problem for democrats.

He’s not the ‘go to’ guy he portrays himself as. He manages to get the least done, with the most amount of verbosity. He’s getting his marching orders somewhere.

Reid’s so ineffective, he lets holy Joe Lieberman push him around. A conjecture: maybe it was Joe-the-Schmoe who suggested this shut down on Dodd.

Senator Reid,

If reports are true that you plan to by-pass Senator Dodd’s principled stand to save the rule of law as he fights Rockefeller’s ‘yet another Democratic caving to the Bush Administration’ criminality by granting immunity to Telecom co-conspirators I say to you: HOW DARE YOU! You have the nerve and bald-faced corruption to fight Chris Dodd on his principled stand. In broad day light you seek to trade our rights and the rule of law for Teleocm companies that have clearly demonstrated their willingness to support Bush Administration criminality for financial rewards with MY TAX DOLLARS. You and the rest of the so-called “Democratic Leadership’s” lack of principle and continuous inability to stop the multiple on-going and yet-to-be-realized criminality of the Bush Administration, and to enshrine past criminality, disgust me – you’re nothing more than Vichy Democrats and if you can’t start getting the job done I will be looking to support Democrats that can.

Don’t bother not voting, thats what they want. Either vote for their enemies (republicans have the best chance of beating dems, and if they lose their majorities Pelosi and Reid WILL lose their leadership status. It is clear that there is no functional difference between a Republican congress and a Democratic congress) or pick a third party and vote for them.

I won’t be voting for any Democrat but Dodd from now on. I don’t care what anyone else does, but I’m going to vote for whoever has the best chance to beat the democrat in any given race. I feel personally betrayed, and the only way to purge of corrupt bastards like rockefeller and reid is to cause them to lose so badly nobody will ever trust their advice or leadership again.

Sent to Reid’s contact form:
Fortunately for you, I am not a constituent of yours. You would have lost my vote upon hearing that you are overriding Senator Dodd’s hold on the FISA bill due to the telecom immunity provisions.
You may talk at length about restoration of the Constitution and what the Democratic majority will do about it, but it is your actions that indicate who you really are, and from where I sit (the state that elected Cornyn, no less) you appear to be in the pocket of the telecom lobbies 100%. The “Democratic” majority has proven to be spineless in the face of pressure from the white house. For ONCE do what is right, instead of what will garner you political points. The American people WILL recognize that, and reward those actions with trust that at this point, I’m afraid you don’t deserve.
Thanks for hearing me out.

I called Reid’s office just now (202-224-3542), and had more or less the following conversation:

LAMBERT: Is it true that Senator Reid is going to bring the FISA reform bill that gives the telecommunications companies retroactive immunity to the floor despite the hold Senator Dodd has placed on it?

STAFFER: Senator Reid plans to bring the bill to the floor, yes.

LAMBERT: Despite the hold?

STAFFER: Senator Dodd has not yet actually placed the hold. I’ll put you down as opposed.

LAMBERT: Let me just say–I’ve supported Senator Reid for a long time, because I remember how he deked the Republicans but good and saved Social Security. But this bill is unconscionable. And just a heads-up: This is not the Senator Reid I know. Now, you’re probably too young to remember, but under Nixon, Watergate was all about blackmailing political opponents. And some are speculating that Reid is being blackmailed using information from this program, and that’s why he’s changed from the Reid we know. If that idea took root, I think it would be very bad.

STAFFER: Thank you.

So….

Maybe the FBI can find Harry Reid’s integrity among the treasure and magic show props they took from David Copperfield’s Las Vegas warehouse. What a dick Reid has turned out to be. They must have something on him.

Like I said on Daily Kos, its funny that Reid will respect any hold from any Republican asshole on a good bill, and he will allow piece of shit bills like the MoveOn condemnation to proceed to a vote, but he tries to outmaneuver a hold on a disastrous bill from one of his own.

Reid is a useful idiot for the Republicans. I hate to say it but its true. All the fake Dems like that need to get the hell out of Congress.

TSop @ 273

Maybe the FBI can find Harry Reid’s integrity among the treasure and magic show props they took from David Copperfield’s Las Vegas warehouse. What a dick Reid has turned out to be. They must have something on him.

Well, yes, and so (trying to construct the heroes/villains narrative) here, the issue would be (1) what do they have on him, and (2) let Reid now that this issue is now in play. Eh?

Jacob M @ 113

Obama, Edwards and Clinton should be gnashing their teeth over this one. Dodd has an opportunity to really distinguish himself in a fight against a hated Democratic leadership (and yes- hated is the right word. The Right despises them on principles and, should Reid let this come to the floor over Dodd’s objection, then the Left should despise them for their lack of principles) and against a power mad Executive.

Oh- AND against greedy corporations that violated the privacy of their customers.

Could turn out very well for Senator Dodd.

The quickest way to make a point with the politicians to get them to protect our Constitution is a swift financial windfall as a direct result for the behavior we want. Donate to Dodd’s campaign- NOW!

My email to Reid:

http://reid.senate.gov/contact/email_form.cfm

Dear Senator Reid,

I’m a precinct committeeman and chair of the Issues & Visibility Committees of the Downers Grove Township Democratic Party.

From what I’ve read today you plan on bringing up the new surveillance bill for floor debate in mid November despite Senator Dodd’s planned hold on the bill. As you know Senator Coburn has held up dozens of bills without you going around him and upsetting his delicate sensibilities. You do nothing about his recalcitrance yet you’d slap down an honorable seantor of your own party like Dodd?

I hope you’ll take a step back from going ahead with this bill if it offers immunity to the telco giants. There are millions of Americans, not just Democrats but those of the Libertarian bent too who do not want any president to have the power to secretly spy on us with no oversight. We do not want the telcos or anyone else to get away without so much as a slap on the wrist for breaking these fundamental laws even if it is in the name of national security.

Please stand up for our rights as Americans. It’s one thing to be beaten by a tag team of the Republican president and his enablers in your chamber. When that happens the public understands the only remedy is to elect more Democrats. But it’s quite another to not even try. When you roll over for these guys it makes my job convincing Democrats to come out and vote much, much harder.

Stand up for the Constitution. There’s no shame in losing these tactical fights if you draw a bright line between Democratic and Republican beliefs. I and millions of others like me can win our battles at front doors all over this country next year if you do and together in November 2008 we’ll win the strategic victory this nation so desperately needs. Only a tiny minority of deadenders still side with the president on national security. Please stop acting like he has a mandate for bad policy. He doesn’t.

I see photos of Nancy with her eyes opened so wide, I wonder if she has lids and Harry Reid,heading for nap time.
Then, I see Steny Hoyer with feathers hanging from his lips and Rahm Emanuel getting ready to belch.
The Democratic Party is eating their own and Bill’s wife with her 30 point lead is getting ready to lay eggs,gold ones. Jesus wept and so do I.

When will all of us finally realize that this government represents NONE OF US. The President is relevent only to Congress, as Congress is only relevent unto the President. This government has lost all relevency, all credibility, all sense of why the fuck they are even there. Until Washington D.C. is burnt down, (figuratively speaking), we are all without hope. Or we WILL be. I am planning on having all of these types of emails I write being used against me when the trials begin to roll and the camps, (for dickhead Bush’s “special circumstances”), begin to fill. Remember the Constitution and kiss all of your asses goodbye. Think I am kidding? Do so at your own risk. Maybe we will meet in one of the camps.

Ed*ard Teller @ 42

Oklahoma kiddo @ 33

We’ve got to get rid of Harry and Nancy.

And Dianne the war profiteer, the Dems’ Ted Stevens…

But specially Dianne Feinstein.