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Senator Chris Dodd joins us today from Iowa to discuss his decision to oppose retroactive immunity for the telecom companies from the upcoming FISA bill.
Dodd is acting in the tradition of Robert Kennedy, who himself vigorously opposed such action:
Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Democrat of New York, added his voice today to the growing chorus of opposition to legislation that would retroactively legalize six bank mergers that have been attacked under the antitrust laws.
Mr. Kennedy said that he objected to the basic philosophy of retroactive immunization, which he said, might logically be applied to “murder or any other crime.”
Glenn Greenwald:
The Democratic Party has gone from Robert Kennedy and Nicholas Katzenbach standing up eloquently and aggressively for the rule of law (h/t reader JF) — even in the face of fear-mongering claims that undoing those mergers would cripple the economy — to Jay Rockefeller plotting in secret for months with Dick Cheney as to how they can protect lawbreaking telecoms from the court battles they are losing and immunize them from the consequences of their criminal conduct in allowing warrantless spying for years on American citizens.
That steeply downward fall — from Robert Kennedy and the rule of law to the Cheney/Rockefeller telecom amnesty deal — illustrates so many things about what has happened to our country.
Please leave your questions for Senator Dodd in the comments. He will be responding via video from 11:30-12:00 ET, 8:30-9:00 PT.
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Can you explain what your vision for an appropriate bill modernizing FISA would look like, beyond not having telco immunity. If the Senate bill stripped out that immunity, would you be satisfied with the bill otherwise? Or are there other things wrong with it as well? Thanks a lot.
Hello, Senator!
And hello, Jane!
Can you explain the relucatnce of many of your fellow Democrats to clearly and unequivocally condemn the lawlessness of Bush’s national security state? Do they listen too much to inside the Beltway consultants and pundits, or do they truly believe they would be incurring some political risk?
Senator Dodd,
Thank you so much for standing up what is right. My husband was a Vietnam vet and POW, who was tortured by his North Vietnamese captors. He lived with his injuries for over thirty years, until his fatal heart attack two years ago.
Thank you for standing up for a proper FISA law.
Thank you for the Restore the Constitution Act. Thank you for standing up for civil liberties.
What do you think would spur more Americans to stand up and say:
NOT IN MY NAME!
NEVER IN MY NAME!
If you think my voice, and Dan’s story, would be helpful in your quest, I am willing to go anywhere anytime to help stop torture as the law, policy and practice of the United States.
With gratitude,
For Dan,
Heather
welcome Senator….
aside just heard Stark shed tears over the Chimpy dust up…good grief!
I wonder if you are as disappointed with Democratic leadership in the House and Senate as I am. Which is a considerable amount of disappointment.
I am so pissed. Just turned on CSPAN and the first thing I see is Pete Stark being forced to apologize. When are we going to stop backstabbing anyone who is willing to fire back.
Why have their not been any prosecutions for the violations of FISA (50 USC 1809)? A whole bunch of people should be spending five years per intercept that they don’t have a warrant for, while Bush and Cheney should be impeached for Obstruction for denying clearances to the investigators WHEN THEY WERE TARGETS OF THE INVESTIGATION.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12727867/
“Security issue kills domestic spying inquiry
NSA won’t grant Justice Department lawyers required security clearance”
Hi Senator Dodd,
Welcome to Iowa! Thank you for standing up for American prinicples by blocking the FISA bill.
What strategy do you envision to overcome this presumption that Sen. Clinton is destined to be the Democratic nominee? Also, any additional efforts to restore Habeas Corpus? Thanks for being here today.
What is the best way to support or encourage Congess to act to end the war. What can we do to convince the Republicans to vote with you?
Thank you for your willingness to stand up and fight, Senator Dodd. I think the whole country has been waiting for this since they handed the Democrats a majority in 2006.
Can you tell us what influence you believe telecom lobbyists and money have on the willingness of our representatives to grant this immunity?
Welcome Senator Dodd!
What can we in Connecticut do to help you in Iowa and New Hampshire (besides phone banking – we are doing that already!)?
Thank you for all you do!
Sen. Dodd,
I’m slowly warming to your candidacy over the past ten days. Thanks for your efforts on defeating retroactive immunity.
Why is the white leadership of the Democratic Party so non-supportive of the African-American members of the House who so fervently want the suppression of minority voting in the SE, Ohio and many urban centers to end? How can you expect to extend the control of Congress by your party while continuing to ignore this immense civil rights problem?
I thank you for standing up for us.
We thank you for standing up for us.
The Constitution thanks you for standing up for us.
Welcome, Senator Dodd!
Q: Have you ever, in your extensive political career, accepted PAC money from any telecommunications company?
Thank you.
Thank you, Senator, for taking a stand when even your own leadership folds like a cheap lawn chair. It is unfathomable to me why they feel the need to do this administration’s bidding to the point of circumventing and downright dismantling our constitution.
Senator Dodd,
Thank you for your leadership on this issue. How do we get the other Democrats in Congress to recognize that it is not their job to pass legislation that the President won’t veto. Their job is to do what is right, and let the President veto it over and over until the country understands that the President is not on the right side.
I try to email and call our Congresspeople to commend them when they do the right thing, and to berate them when they cave in to the President’s agenda regardless of whether it is right. With the exception of you, sir, I don’t see any of the Congresspeople willing to stand up for what is right. It’s hard not to get discouraged.
What more can we do to get our Congresspeople to do what is right? Thank you for being here.
Senator Dodd, it is a great honor to have you at FDL. Last week I sent your campaign $100. I am very sorry it was not a lot more. You deserve it. I am also sorry to admit that I never considered your candidacy seriously until Jane Hamsher, whose opinion on a whole range of issues I hold in great esteem, forced me to.
Senator Dodd,
Thank you for joining us today. It is an honor.
You have captured our attention and earned our praise by standing up on the issue of telecom immunity.
Now, in order to gain our lasting trust and support, you will need to go to whatever lengths are necessary in order to defeat immunity. Fairly or not, immunity has become your signature issue and it will be a litmus test by which we assess your willpower and effectiveness.
We are the allies who will stand by you as you fight the immunity battle to the finish. Please tell us more about exactly what we need to do help you defeat telecom immunity. We want to do our part!
If there are any Kossaks who can go over and recommend Tim Tagaris’s diary on Kos to get it on the recommended list so they can see the video over there, it would be much appreciated.
The Republican Party has framed phone and email spying on American citizens as necessary to combat real or perceived terror and a significant number of Americans have bought into this. How would President Dodd, (as different from Senator Dodd) counter this erroneous perception and deception? I can think of many ways President Dodd might choose to get this nation back on the road to what many people think they have a right to. Privacy.
Thanks from a Vietnam Vet who supports you.
In case I don’t make it to your appearance this evening at the VFW Post on Urbandale Avenue, I want to thank you (hugely) for taking this stand and standing up for the Constitution. Gratefully, a Dodd supporter in Iowa…
Senator Dodd, could you clarify what your hold means, procedurally? Is it correct that a vote by 60 Senators on a motion to proceed could override your hold?
Thank you Senator Dodd for your leadership on fisa and protecting us regular Americans.
You have moved to my 1st choice for president.
I just have some questions about stem cell research.would you make it a priority?
Many Democratic voters feel betrayed. They elect Senators and Congresspersons to fight back, to stem the tides of lawlessness, corruption, and war. Then, when they get in office, they seem to change character. They go behind the curtain, emerge later, and, ‘lo and behold, turns out they’re not so different than the folks they were elected to counter. What gives? Why are they so easily redirected? (ditto allan_in_upstate)
Sen. Dodd – Is there any concern by some in Congress, real or imagined, that without retroactive immunity for the Telcos they will be less likely to cooperate with legitimate and legal government surveillance in the future?
In other words, is there any hint of potential for a ’soft’ blackmail by the Telcos to get Congress to back off of knowing the past in order to preserve their full future cooperation from which we all could benefit?
Hi Senator Dodd,
If you help can the “restore” act (H.R. 3773), I think we can call your actions heroic, especially when it seems Reid and others — from the perspective of an ordinary citizen–are actually *fighting* for telcom immunity and basket warrants.
What can we folks from CT do to support your campaign?
Senator Dodd,
Welcome. I want to thank you again for your stance on the FISA bill. You are breath of much needed fresh air.
America has many issues that need addressing after the laziness and foolishness of today’s republicans.
What are the top four priorities that you as president would have your adiminstration and congress focus on to improve America?
Thank you.
Thank you for joining us, Senator Dodd. We are squarely behind your move to stop this bill from going forward. We are so disappointed to hear about the machinations against your effort and anxious to hear what we can do.
We are tired of hearing that the leadership is negotiating away our right to a full accounting when we feel they should be defending us, not protecting big business and the Bush administration.
Do you believe that if you are elected there will be a better Democratic response to the people’s rights and concerns? What we are seeing now makes me think it will be just more of the same, that with very few exceptions we will face business as usual for the beltway without regard for what popular support dictates. Many of us are voting with our pocketbooks and I hope that counts, but it is discouraging.
Thank you sincerely.
Hi Senator Dodd!
Did Senator Reid explain his reason for deciding to ignore your ‘hold’ and instead bring the bill to the floor? If not, what do you think his reasoning is?
Welcome, Senator!
Can you explain why the Democratic Congress continues to roll over for a President with a 24% approval rating? I am baffled…it is clear that the citizens of this country do NOT approve of what Bush is doing. Why do the Democrats continue to enable it?
Welcome Senator Dodd!
Thank you for standing up and fulfilling your sworn oath to the Constitution and leadership on this issue.
Why is it so difficult for your colleagues to follow your lead and do the same? It seems so obvious to many of us yet all we see is kow-towing to the Corporations and the administration and the evisceration of the Constitution is the result.
Given the story in today’s NY Times on Sen Rockefeller’s jump in campaign contributions from the TelCos and the move for retroactive immunity, it is hard not to believe there is a connection.
FWIW, ustream is running a chat room for this event. To participate you need to go to http://ustream.tv and login. I have FDL open in one window and ustream in another.
Thank you Senator Dodd. Your Daddy must be very very proud of you.
Senator Dodd,
Thank you so much for standing up for the Constitution. I’m looking forward to voting for you in the Super Tuesday primary here in Connecticut.
Please keep in mind that there are quite a few video bloggers here who would be honored to have you for a discussion at some point.
Thanks again.
CT Bob
What do we have to do to make our elected legislators respect themselves, the Constitution, and the wishes of the country?
And do you know why most of them don’t do these things already?
Thanks Senator,
Your taking a stand on this issue was enough to elicit the first political contribution I’ve ever made. Keep up the good work and know you have supporters out here (even in red states).
Welcome Senator Dodd.
Can you discuss any you view of the role of the Vice President? What is the appropriate level of staff for the VP to have? Is there a statutory way to limit the influence of the VP’s office?
I don’t understand why Congress and the people aren’t up in arms over this issue. You should not have to lead this fight by yourself.
I think an analogy might help focus the public’s interest, but I haven’t been able to come up with anything succinct enough to survive as a soundbite.
It looks like we have a criminal consipiracy, hatched by an outlaw government and communications sector, which Congress is now called upon to endorse and protect.
Have you thought about how to make this issue vivid and urgent for everyone?
Senator
Thanks for standing up on FISA. I’ve watched your support on the net growing exponentially since then.
Senator Dodd,
I keep seeing references to the president “forcing the Congress to stay in session” until they pass legislation he wants. Does he have the authority to dictate Congress’ schedule?
Thank you.
Senator, thank you for making the Constitution the center of your campaign.
Senator Dodd,
I will vote for you when I get the chance. It’s time for the Democratic candidates to start showing a real distinction between themselves and the Republican candidates.
Thank you for efforts to uphold the Constitution!
Bob in El Paso
Thank you for your outspoken progressive stands, Senator. I’ve heard you speak passionately about your father’s service at the Nuremberg trials.
What do you think is the responsibility of the next President to account to history and the American people about the policies and practices of this and previous administrations regarding pre-emptive wars, curtailing of civil rights, suspension of habeus corpus, and the squandering of America’s blood and treasure thru incompetence and corruption?
I miss your Imus appearances, I first learned about you there. Will you appear on his returning show–why or why not?
Again, thank you for this opportunity for the kind of serious discourse on vital issues that is so needed, compared to the shallow “pro wrestling” commentary as contact sport the traditional media seem to love these days.
Senator Dodd -
Thank you so much for standing up on FISA legislation! My question is really a request:
Will you, please, have someone on your staff talk with Representative Rush Holt about bringing forward good FISA legislation?
Rush Holt is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and Chairman of the newly-created Select Intelligence Oversight Panel. He has been working carefully with other members of the House Intelligence Committee and with the ACLU to craft a FISA bill that makes needed changes without basket warrants and without either retroactive or prospective telco immunity.
This decent FISA modernization bill, H.R. 3782, was submitted at the same time as the constitutionally flawed so-called “RESTORE Act,” but it has been stuck in committee.
I know it is unusual for senators to work with representatives. However, in this case, I think it would be an asset to have an alternative to offer – one that has the backing of members of an intelligence committee and the ACLU.
Representative Holt appears to have been doing, in the House, what you are doing in the Senate – standing up for the constitution and for a free society… he could be an ally to significantly strengthen your position (according to Glenn Greenwald, “Holt is very smart and knowledgeable on FISA issues”).
Thank you for everything you are doing.
Connecticut Bob @ 37
Hi Bob.
Mr. Dodd, while your action is highly commendable and I thank you for it, I recall that there were quite a number of other bills that have come though Congress that were either harmful to our Democracy or harmful to the average American. What stopped you from instituting a hold on other bills? The bankruptcy bill comes to mind and also the horribly misnamed Patriot Act.
Just a sincere THANK YOU Senator, and I’m looking forward to this.
I don’t have a question, but I do have a comment. As I survey the state of this country, and its astonishing decline in such a short time, I find myself asking over and over why so few of our Democratic leaders are able to grasp just how much has been taken away from us, just how much damage has been done to this nation. Senator, you seem to be the only one who understands this. You have made restoration of the Constitution — a phrase I never thought I would have to employ in this nation — a centerpiece of your agenda.
That gets my vote.
I want America back. I really miss it.
Hello again, Senator…
Not sure if you remember me or not, but I’m the guy that presented you with the honorary loofah-mitt at YearlyKos – the mitt Tim Tagaris promptly removed from your hands before I could get a photo – damn Tim!!
Anyway, I went on to suggest that our Democratic leadership was on hiatus – that we needed somebody to stand up to the lawless regime. I suggested you – on the Senate floor – call for the impeachment of Alberto Gonzalez.
Senator Dodd, I recognize that I’m not prone to ask you to do the easy things. Now that Gonzalez is (semi) mooted, I’ve got another promise I’d like to suggest you make.
Please promise us that there will be no superficial “time of healing”. Please promise us that, if we support you, you, when elected, will uphold the law. If it is found to be the case that members of the current administration broke the law, please promise us that they will be prosecuted just like anyone else. It would break our hearts to see retroactive immunity given to administration officials – probably even more so than if it is given to the telecoms.
I asked Matt Browner-Hamlin to encourage you to implement the following suggestion… We have a DEA. An ATF. An SEC. FBI. INS… We’ve got all sorts of “alphabet agencies” that are tasked with “niche” law enforcement functions.
It’s time to create an alphabet agency to enforce political and corporate crime. We need a blue-ribbon panel to look at the current state of law that allows Enron abettors to get off scott-free. We need an institution that devotes itself to ferreting out and prosecuting financial and abuse of authority crimes. If the DEA exists to develop the institutional memory and expertise needed to deal with drug crimes… well, after Tom Delay, Bob Ney, Duke Cunningham, Jeff Skilling, Ken Lay, Scooter Libby, Donald Safavian, Jack Abramoff, Tony Rudy, Michael Scanlon, Bernie Ebbers, the Stevens crime family and all the rest… well, isn’t it clear that we need to develop the institutional memory and expertise required to combat modern paper crimes?
We should be starting momentarily, they’re almost there.
mui @ 48
Hiya mui!
click the button on the screen, we’re starting….
Senator Dodd:
This is from your post on Monday at Huff Post:
Two questions:
Do you think Harry Reid will honor your hold?
If you get to filibuster, will you consider reading a few posts from FireDogLake that the bloggers and commenters can recommend to you?
Ah, I’ve been to Mason City. Location of the “River City” story of The Music Man.
Welcome, Senator.
Jane Hamsher @ 21
I think Kos is still down for maintenance.
From the Washington Post Live discussion of Politics with Michael Abramowitz: Gettysburg, Pa.: Thanks for answering questions. The dailykoss (big lefty blog) runs a weekly poll about who its members are supporting for president. John Edwards has been leading for months with Obama a close second. In the last poll Edwards was still ahead but Dodd was now a close second and Obama had dropped off significantly. The blogosphere is still trying to analyzee why this is. Assuming that Dodd did not figure out some way to stuff the dailykos’ ballot box, do you have an explanation for this? Is it Dodd’s filibuster of the FISA bill? Obama’s flirtation with gay-bashers? Something else?
Michael Abramowitz: I suspect it may have to do with the Iraq war–Dodd has been very outspoken in his opposition to what Bush is doing, and this may be paying off among the netroots. http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..00930.html
mui @ 29
the “restore” act has problems (basket warrants and prospective telco immunity) and the aclu lobbied against it – there is a decent bill (currently stuck in committee) in the House, it is H.R. 3782 (see my comment at 47)
Thank you for your work Senator.
Are my senators from Massachusetts backing you up on blocking this FISA cave-in to Bush?
Sen Dodd I am proud of you and will support you as you exercise all the rights Senators have.
I am so ashamed of my Senator, Senator Corker. I never get anything but form letters and even those are duplicates.
Please tell us how to make the Senate realize they work for us.
Senator Dodd, the telecoms did wrong and should be punished. But is there a more creative way to punish them other than suing the daylights out of them? Is it possible to get them to sign onto net neutrality, keep them from bidding on newly released broadcast spectra, stop them from challenging free municpal broadband and in general force the to innovate so that we’re not number 26 in the world behind Luxembourg? Wouldn’t that be punishment enough and a nifty way to score one for consumers? You could always hold the lawsuit sword over their heads if they refuse to cooperate.
selise @ 60
Thanks Selise, that would be the Holt bill, stuck in committee?
Senator Dodd,
If you were elected, would you have your A.G. investigate the alleged crimes of the Bush administration?
Thanks
JT
Senator Dodd,
You made a great call when you decided to put a hold on the FISA immunity bill. Thank you. Probably the only better call you made was when you hired Tim Tagaris.
I hope you keep making great calls.
I’d like to welcome the telecom lobbyists viewing with us today.
Assholes.
Bravo Senator Dodd!!!
Having just read your new book about your father’s brilliant service in Nuremburg, it’s wonderful to see you follow in his footsteps of remarkable service. And your hold and filibuster are precisely what we need from a leader today!
Dear Senator Dodd,
Thank you so much for putting a hold on the FISA bill this past week. The American people are starved for leadership, and this one brave act has been most heartening and has clearly defined your position on the rule of law, and has set you in stark relief from the rest of the field of candidates. Amen!
I encourage you to take your words that Jane posted yesterday, and put an ad together to run in New Hampshire and Iowa. These are powerful words, and ones that most Americans are yearning to hear.
” As the representatives of the American people, our job is in many ways quite simple: to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” There’s no question in my mind that Democrats were given a majority in both the House and the Senate based on their promises to change the course of the country. We were elected to strengthen the nation by ending this war, restoring our standing in the world and returning the nation to an adherence to the rule of law. An integral part of that mandate was to reverse and stop the Bush Administration’s assault on the Constitution.
Yet, we today are faced with the possibility that the Senate will see a renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that enables the Bush Administration to broadly eavesdrop on American citizens and provides for retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that helped them violate civil liberties and the law.
The Constitution of the United States belongs to the American people, not to the Bush administration. It is our responsibility as Senators and Congressmen to stand up and fight for it.”
Thanks again Senator, you’ve got my vote.
…and go Sox!
Pachacutec @ 67
Me too!!!! /paddy waves with one finger
Can you tell us what you’ve heard about plans to give retroactive immunity for black bag jobs, actual physical breakins?
mad props and support for the senator and you have gained incredible support for your position defending the our constitution
my questions as follows;
do the other democrats understand that giving these corporations “retro active immunity” allows these corporations to keep intelectual property they have acquired illegally?…this includes personal information they can use for their own gain and it includes professional information they can use against their competition
do the other senators understand there is more here then personal information, that we need to protect
do the other democrats, or (even the republicans for that matter) understand that allowing “retro active immunity” creates the precedence that will allow illegal behavior in the future?
here’s an important question;
are the other senators aware the conflict of interest by granting retro active immunity?
we suspect these companies have information that was acquired illegally might be held over their heads and that might be why they are granting this immunity, has that crossed their minds?
and finally;
shouldn’t any senator that has received contributions from the companies in question recuse themselves from the vote pertaining retro active immunity?
Good morning Senator, and thank you for standing up for the Constitution.
On Friday, Senator Biden said he would support you in a filibuster. Have any other Senators made the same commitment? Where are the other candidates for President on this?
Pachacutec @ 67
I thought you liked Mike McCurry.
Jane:
I’m watching now. How will the Senator answer questions from FDL comments?
These questions are better than most you hear from the White House press corps.
Senator Dodd, thank you for coming. I’m an international human rights lawyer, and it shames me to see the pattern of repression I’ve fought in country after country being repeated here. I am thrilled that a Democratic presidential candidate is fighting to stop the destruction of our constitutional liberties and to restore what we’ve already lost. I was wavering on the primary, but your stance on the FISA bill in particular and the protection of the Constitution in general has won you my vote. Please keep up the good work.
Adam B’s question just got asked…
S’okay. Everybody gets the name wrong.
Senator Dodd,
Words cannot adequately express how important your willingness to fillibuster this legislation is. How do you feel these efforts will translate to a Dodd Administration? ;)
eRobin @ 76
Yes.
Senator Dodd,
Thank you for honoring your oath of office.
Can you explain why the Democratic leadership continues to allow censure resolutions and Republican bills to come up for a vote if they don’t have the votes to defeat them?
Jane:
(What I meant to say in my 75):
Are those questions being read from FDL comments?
Question:
Senator, could you please describe your understanding of the oath of office versus how bush has mangled and betrayed his oath?
Senator, welcome. Thank you for your extremely principled stand to support and defend the Constitution. How is it that you are the only politician in DC who seems to remember that part of the Oath?
Also, will you be willing to rewrite the bankruptcy bill which hurts people and help corporations to be a more American and less corporatist piece of legislation?
Thank you again for your leadership. When I start working/get regular employment again (it’s been 2.5 years now) you’ll get some $$ from me.
Biodun @ 83
Yes.
Senator Dodd,
Does the language in the Intelligence committee’s FISA bill delineate between electronic surveillance and physical surveillance? The way I read it, it appears to immunize any kind of cooperation with intelligence operations, and even allows the president the flexibility to designate any agency he chooses as a covered part of the “intelligence community.”
What distinction, if any, does the bill draw between demanding telecommunications information and a physical intrusion into the home of a suspect, in terms of immunizing the actors from suit?
Thank you for coming, Senator Dodd.
Even more, thank you deeply for your service, and for running for President.
I’m just going to lurk and “listen”, but want you to know I feel honored you would come to this blog. I hope you will stay in touch. Good luck in your campaign. ;->
Also from the WAPO live Politics discussion: Blue Ridge, Ga.: Regarding the question re: Dodd’s rise in Democratic polls, doesn’t his stand against retroactive immunity of telecom companies in the new FISA Bill (and his hold on the immunity provision) have something to do with his new poll position?
Michael Abramowitz: This may also be a factor in his popularity in the liberal blogosphere.
_______________
mui @ 64
yes.
Senator Dodd:
It sounds like you are backing off your Hold threat and relying only on a filibuster. Is this true, and, if so, can I have my donation back?
Jane Hamsher @ 79
He’s from CT. When we talk fast we tend to swallow parts of words and get nondistinct with certain vowels.
Jane @ 86:
Thanks!
Thank you, Senator Dodd, for defending our precious Constitution. Hope we can remind all the other Senators they are sworn to uphold it too.
Sen. Dodd,
Is there something deeper, unseen, that the American public is not being told, when it comes to voting for the FISA bill. In other words, are lawmakers being cajoled or threatened? Or are they being lied to in matters of security, i.e. imminent threats that don’t exist? Bogus intelligence fed to them or leaked from the highest places in govenment, as a strong-arm tactic to get the legislation that the Administration desires?
Adam Pressler @ 91
Reid put the kibosh on the hold, which means Senator Dodd is taking it to the next level in going to filibuster.
Senator Dodd – have other senators joined you in committing to a hold? Specifically, I’d you to work with my two senators, Leahy and Sanders.
Jane Hamsher @ 21
Done.
AP (Bruce Alpert, Washington) indicated this morning that Republican Sen. Vitter has placed a hold on the flood insurance overhaul bill because he sees it as inadequate in addressing the shortage of affordable policies in the Gulf coast south. You are chair of the Banking Committee; he has sent you a letter about it. Is there any hope that he and his colleague Mary Landrieu and other Gulf coast Senators might be persuaded to quietly back you? I am their constituent. Thank you.
So for Harry Reid, it’s all about the votes? We’re being sold to hell in a handbasket for votes?
egregious @ 98
done
Jane @ 96
Why is Sen Dodd not denying unanimous consent to bring the bill? How is it that Reid can stop him from denying consent?
It seems easier to get support of 41 senators to prevent it coming to the floor than prevent its passage after. It sure smells like Dodd is not following through on a commitment.
[edit for sp]
Thank you Senator. If only there were more Democrats like you.
In the context of leadership, Senator, have either Senators Clinton or Obama, also seeking the highest office, given you any indication of their possible support for your efforts re: FISA?
Do you think this retroactive telecom immunity would provide a proxy legal precedent for the WH to use to be able to use to shield themselves from prosecution, as well?
Senator Dodd
If Senators are taking money from the telecoms, is this why they support immunity?
Jane Hamsher @ 21
The video is up live at kos now.
Senator,
With your leadership the last few weeks, you are well on the way to earning my vote.
Thank you for your courage and your conviction.
For some time now, much (if not most) business in the Senate has required 60 votes because of the threat of Republican filibuster. While I commend your stance (and am voting for you because of it), hasn’t the filibuster become toxic and doesn’t your use of it play into that toxicity?
Relatedly, are you in favor of forcing actual filibusters?
Good morning, Senator Dodd. And thank you for exhibiting the only visible spine in the entire U.S. Senate.
My Dem senator, Amy Klobuchar (MN) seems to be waffling her way through FISA and Iraq.
Please tell us, specifically, what Americans can do to help you help us. What will tip the balance of this interminable inertia that characterizes the Democratic Senate in 2007? What must I do today to make a difference? Does anyone really listen to the people??
And BTW, as I have taken some of the ubiquitous “who is your presidential candidate?” polls, your name invariably finishes near the top. That surprised me. I’m paying attention.
Thanks you, sir.
Adam Pressler @ 102
I think you may need to research what, exactly, a “filibuster” is.
Adam Pressler @ 102
That’s what a hold is, Adam. It’s a declaration of intent to deny unanimous consent. The problem is that the Majority Leader doesn’t have to honor that objection. He can instead move to proceed to consideration of the bill notwithstanding the lack of unanimous consent. And the way to slow that down is to filibuster the motion to proceed.
Senator Dodd,
Thank you for your efforts to help restore FISA as the arbiter of legality in regard to the collection and use of foreign and domestic intelligence and surveillance. Thank you also for your efforts to regain some of the civil liberties that have already been lost to the overreaching of this administration.
My question is, which of your colleagues have come forward with support for your efforts? Also, why would Harry Reid not honor your hold?
How does Harry Reid count as the leader of anything if he can’t support his Senior senators of his own party in matters of Senatorial procedure? Can he be shit-canned ASAP if not sooner?
Senator Dodd,
I think a lot of people would be very impressed with the stand you’ve taken against the Bush regime’s continuing infringement upon our rights and the rule of law, but the media is pointedly ignoring what you’re doing right now. I’m sure that the Democrats who oppose you on this issue are similarly hoping that they can have a quick and quiet cloture vote and proceed as though nothing had happened. How do you intend to raise consciousness of your efforts?
Senator–
Thank you for joining us.
Aside from the obvious (calling our Senators and Congressfolk, donating time and $ to candidates who show leadership), what do we need to be doing in order to be more effective?
A contributor to the Dodd campaign because of your stand on FISA ;-) writes:
0. The Fourth Amendment reads:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Do you believe that the 21st Century interpretaion of “papers and effects” should be modernized to include mean digital “papers and effects” like email and web traffic?
1. What’s your position on the theory of the unitary executive?
2. Would you rescind all executive orders based on it? Would you halt all court cases brought upon it?
3. What’s your position on signing statements?
4. Would you declare all Bush signing statements null and void, unless specifically declared otherwise?
5. What would you do to restore habeas corpus?
6. Do you believe that the President has the power to declare US citizens “enemy combatants?”
7. What are your views on the restoration of posse comitatus? Would you restore control over the National Guard to the States? Do you believe that there is a role for mercenaries like Blackwater to play in restoring public order domestically, and if so, what is it?
Thanks!
Good point. Why is the president asking the Congress to grant immunity?
Jane @ 102
Point taken. I am too stuypid to be on this website. Adios.
Senator Dodd,
As a fellow RPCV, I’m heartened and proud of your actions in standing up for the Constitution. Thank you.
Thank you FDL for this video format.
AWESOME!!!!!
I contributed to your campaign when you announced the FISA hold.
I think the primaries could splinter along multiple lines–with Hillary taking some segments, Obama taking others, and you and John Edwards taking progressive and union votes. Hillary and Obama lead in cash, but I assume that you agree there is a shot for you coming out of a splintered pack.
Like blogging the Libby trial, this Dodd web interview is brilliant -a milestone indeed in both politics & technology. Brava Jane et al.
Adam Pressler @ 119
See Kagro X @ 112.
Richmond @ 123
Great stuff, except (sniff, whine) for those of us who are lurking from work (ahem) and can’t turn up the sound….
Thank you Senator Dodd!
THANKS jane and all of you at the lake!
Thanks Sen Dodd and Jane … that was wonderful!
Outstanding!
Thank you Jane and upstream for that great opportunity. Very impressive.
http://judiciary.senate.gov/
Thanks, everyone. That was great.
WooHoo! Most excellent! Go Chris Dodd… now, when he makes it to the WH will he still do this?
Toby Wollin @ 125
You can’t occasionally wear ear phones (to help you concentrate on your work)? :-)
Well done Senator Dodd! I’m very pleased to have been here for this.
Most excellent idea and format.. Luckily I’m home today and able to catch a bit of this.
Thanks everyone and especially Senator Dodd!
Thanks to Senator Dodd for reaching out to the FDL community.
And Thanks to Jane & Co. for facilitating a necessary and vital discussion of this issue and the larger concern of what America will be before and after the next election.
Toby Wollin @ 125
headphones
Richmond @ 123
Yes, yes, yes. Thanks, Jane and all. A spark of hope, brought to us by firedoglake.
Dang! I only caught the last ten minutes.
I came in late and was reading the comments looking for Dodd’s responses before I realized they were video responses!
Hopefully the whole video will be posted for later viewing.
Thank you, Sen. Dodd, for sticking up for what is right.
Awesome! thanks to Jane and the Senator.
Thank you Senator Dodd. It is a privilege to have you here among us. Please come back again soon.
Jane – will I be able to view this again later, under “safer” circumstances, or was it live only?
Dodd/Whitehouse?
Jane Hamsher @ 131
Yep! Marvelous technology. Thanks Jane!
Thanks for this forum FDL folks, two days in a row with great guests.
Adam Pressler @ 119
DON’T GO AWAY!! I have had reactions to my comments that made me feel the same way, but this is the place for learning. They’re really very patient here with those of us who’re playing catch-up. Stay, stay!!
Dodd is fabulous. Thankyou FDL for this awesome opporitunity.
So nice to hear someone who sounds like the Americans I grew up with. (ie Kennedys)
That was AMAZING. I second and third Richmond @ 123. Will we have more of these?
junglefreak @ 139
The re-run will be available momentarily. It was great and worth watching.
Bravo Jane and all the fine firepup questions! Have never been so impressed! Onward & Upward!
Toby Wollin @ 142
Live, yes. But someone might have recorded it to post somewhere later.
Thanks Jane once again for providing us with this opportunity to talk with Senator Dodd here.
Thank you all so much for your questions. They were fantastic.
If Harry Reid was no longer the House Majority Leader for whatever reasons (removal by a majority of Senators or illness or whatever)who do you think would replace him and do you think they would be any more to our liking?
behindthefall @ 143
whitehouse voted for the intelligence committee FISA bill (the one that contains immunity) and it was reported by the nyt this weekend that he voted against the amemdment (in committee) that proposed to remove immunity from the bill.
imo, sheldon whitehouse needs some phone calls.
I missed the live feed and am hoping someone posts the complete conferance
Thanks Jane. That was wonderful. Does anyone know where HRC stands on this? With Verizon having significant operations in NYC, I imagine they are hefty contributors, which might account for her being quiet on this issue.
Jane Hamsher @ 81
a forgiving standard to be sure
link for Dodd’s FISA remarks
Awesome format. FDL is en fuego and kicking ass! Thanks Jane and everyone else who made this happen.
As somebody said over at the General’s – The Dodd Abides.
I’m at work. Anyone want to fill me in? Does Dodd think his filibuster will be successful?
Jane Hamsher @ 150
Great! Thanks, Jane.
You can watch the video again (must refresh screen first, not just comments)
Today’s form of the ‘fireside chat’.
Perhaps this could become a regular ‘feature’ here at the Lake. Well done everyone. Jane, a wise and skillful move, empowering the new medium and those who appreciate its potential.
Jeralyn Merritt has the new thread:
Mistrial In Dallas Flagship Terrorism Financing Trial
junglefreak @ 139
How about a transcript for us poor suckers stuck on dial-up.
Ha. Dodd said he didn’t put a hold on the bill “in secret like some . . .” (missed the last few words.)
brilliant!
thank you Senator Dodd, and thank you Jane.
Congratulations to the entire FDL crew for making this happen.
Jane, is it time for another FDL poll?
The administration says they asked for records based on their attempts to provide security since 911. QWest executives say the requests to provide information came as early as nine months before 911. Do you have any comments related to the time the current Administration started these non constitutional activities?
Is there anyone here still?
Jane, have you seen this?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..eheadlines
The WH has been extorting telcom immunity from the Intelligence Committee at the expense of the Justice Committee.
Attorney General nominee Mukasey seems to think that President Bush can act in whatever way he thinks appropriate to defend the country–in other words, that the President is above the law. Given that this is simply a continuation of current administration statements about the unitary executive, and a justification for continued illegal and unconstitutional actions by the executive branch, would you consider putting a hold also on that nomination, and mounting a filibuster if necessary?
I am relistening as I work. And, I am changing my support from Edwards and/or Obama to Senator Dodd. He is smart, eloquent, deep thinking, and principaled. I like too, that was a Peace Corps volunteer.
Thank you Jane! That was incredible!
The possibilities for using this type of interview in the future are really exciting. ;->
Well, if I had a vote, this man would have it.
You ROCK Sen. Dodd!
I wish you much success standing up for all of US. I hope your zeal is catching! WE need more like YOU in the Congress.
Thank you!
mc @ 171
Ironically they may have just blown any argument that the records are eligible for Executive Privilege by doing this. Executive privilege is extended to privacy of conversations between the President and his advisors…but if you make those conversations available to “non-advisors” based purely on whether they support the outcome of those conversations…that would rescind the Privilege.
Senator Dodd,
I have not given any money yet to any Democrat. I feel that my $100 is drowned by corporate donors. You will soon have my $100 for whatever that is worth.
You have my utmost respect. I call Ms. Feinstein’s office EVERY week re so many issues, yet by her votes I feel voiceless.
At least today there is your voice. I do NOT understand the strategies of Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid. As a Democrat, San Francisco, I feel very, very bad.
Thank you for YOUR voice.
Who screened the questions and chose the ones the senator answered?
Senator,
I want you to know I have not felt as much respect for a candidate since the 70’s… I gladly GIVE you my support. Thank you for what you are doing for our country. You give us all HOPE>>>You will be a great President.
Respectfully,
George Chacona,
Seattle
Thank you, Sen. Dodd. It is so amazing these days to hear a politician who speaks well, sounds reasonable, and actually believes in the founding documents of the U.S. I teared up listening to sanity.
You have given us courage to keep going.
Sign a Letter to Harry Reid. Tell the Senate: Stop Bush’s Wiretapping Program
Democrats in the Senate appear to have caved again to the Bush administration’s fearmongering tactics. This time, they’ve negotiated a ‘compromise’ fix to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) sought by Bush that grants full amnesty to the telecom giants for participation in his illegal program to spy on Americans.
How can the Congress make a responsible and informed decision regarding immunity for the telcoms, without first knowing what they were asked to do, what they have done, and what laws may have been broken? I have a better idea, let the cases proceed and let the facts be known, then the Congress and the American people can make an informed decision about whether the telecoms deserve immunity. And, at that time, either the Congress can provide immunity or, better yet, the President can pardon them. Immunity is the same as a pardon. As with Libby, why doesn’t the President first let the courts reach their verdict before he pardons the telecoms or asks the Congress to grant immunity?
Thank you for your time, Senator Dodd. If, God forbid, a Democrat besides yourself wins the presidency, would you be willing to accept a cabinet position?
De-lurking for a few moments to say:
Thank you Senator Dodd, and our friends, here at the Lake.
There have always been and probably always will be threats to our Republic.
Rights like Habeas Corpus are humanity’s rights. They were earned over centuries of war, conflict and despotic rule. These rights belong to all of us and should not be tossed aside because our elected representatives fear a veto by this, or any other, President.
There are times in each of our lives when we must respond to a simple call to justice. This is one of them.
Thank you for speaking for all of us who cherish the Constitution.
Senator I want to thank you for your leadership on the FISA issue (and already have via a contribution to your presidential campaign).
Can you explain why there is such a lack of leadership among Democrats on issues of importance to the American people? On topics like the Iraq war, the FISA courts and illegal wiretapping, and the U.S. Attorney scandal the default democratic position seems to be capitulation. Do Democrats not realize that the American people want them to stand up to this administration, not compromise?
Thanks for your appearance here, Sen. Dodd, however I feel compelled to remind you, we need to build on the Senate and placing members on the ticket dilutes the purpose by having us place assets there to hold seats at the current number.
We need to advance(as Howard Dean says) on Red States, the focus on Democratic ground should be strengthening support at the roots beneath you and adding others in Senate seats outside of yours to create a true majority.
Sen. Dodd,
i spent twenty years in the Marine Corps protecting the constitution for people i thought felt the same way i did about our rights given by that document. thank you for continuing the fight for our constitution.
Somebody with the know how should Spotlight this!!!!
Ann in Az asked (number 113) above:
“My question is, which of your colleagues have come forward with support for your efforts? Also, why would Harry Reid not honor your hold?”
I also want to ask this question. Are the reports of Senator Reid going around your hold accurate?
Jane Hamsher @ 12
Sen. Dodd, I want to join with Jane in thanking you for your leadership on these issues, and welcome back to the Lake!
Bob in HI
Sen Dodd,
A few questions:
It appears that many of our politicians literally resent having to actually representing their constituents – why is this the case?
How can we ever “buy” our corporate beholden politicians back if the mega corporations can reliably tilt the playing field to their advantage with their endless stream of lobbyists and their endless supply of campaign money?
It is pretty clear that the electorate can no longer trust any politicians, why should we trust you?
Since we individuals are being taxed without any actual representation, is it time for another tea party?
Here’s my question: Do you think there is any risk to national security if the collaboration between the telecomm companies and the government is disclosed?
I cannot see any risk, but I wonder what you think, based on what more you know than has been publicly disclosed.
IrishJim @ 157
Hillary — Republican-Lite for Corporations!
Hi Jane,
Can you give me a url to read or listen to Senator Dodd’s responses to the FireDog Pup’s questions?
Please leave your questions for Senator Dodd in the comments. He will be responding via video from 11:30-12:00 ET, 8:30-9:00 PT.
Troubled
Excellent interview FDL with Senator Dodd. Thank you for holding it on line so that I could listen at 8 this evening. I am calling my NJ Senators and also the members of the Judiciary Committee. The Bush administration gets away this crap because no one actual believes that anybody would lie and cheat so openly, therefore they must be telling the truth (the bigger the lie, the more it is accepted). Enough!