Login HereI contacted the Clinton, Edwards and Obama campaigns last night to ask them if they had statements on Dodd's filibuster against retroactive immunity today. So far the only one to get back to me with one is Obama:
"Senator Obama unequivocally opposes giving retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies and has cosponsored Senator Dodd's efforts to remove that provision from the FISA bill. Granting such immunity undermines the constitutional protections Americans trust the Congress to protect. Senator Obama supports a filibuster of this bill, and strongly urges others to do the same. It's not clear whether he can return for the vote, but under the Senate rules, the side trying to end a filibuster must produce 60 votes to cut off debate. Whether he is present for the vote for not, Senator Obama will not be among those voting to end the filibuster."
Both the Edwards and Clinton campaigns said they are working on statements.
It would be wonderful if Obama came off the campaign trail to support Dodd.
Share This 
Spotlight
Dodd!
What is wrong witht he site today? It takes minutes to refresh and load the page(s).
What is wrong witht he site today? It takes minutes to refresh and load the page(s).
zed?
I think Obama and Clinton have dealt their campaigns dire blows. Failing to be on the Senate floor for this vote is inexcusable.
So he co-sponsors, but doesn’t go to DC. There’s leadership for ya!
Kagro X gives a goo run down on the nuts and bolts of Senate Procedures.
link
The way that I read it, Dodd’s “filibuster” wont’ start until Wed(?).
Also it looks as if the key strategy is for any of, what looks to be a gang of ten, to object to any UC. By doing so, even though they will loose every vote, they can drag this out for weeks. The question is will Dodd or any other Senator be willing to piss off ninety other Senators and object to the UCs
I’ve been having trouble even getting into the site this afternoon. Are the servers getting overworked?
It is mucho s-l-o-o-o-o-o-w.
text of Kennedy’s remarks
Yep: I just missed a zed–toobz tied up. Has been erratic all morning.
Obama can’t be bothered.
We may be under DOS attack. Jamie and John are working on it.
slow? sitemeter says 50,000ish visits today
I figured it out. I just called Sen. Stevens’ office. They logged into fdl an hour ago….
just kidding.
Hiya Jane:
Long time no see…*g*
Actions speak louder than words. If Obama and Clinton can’t be bothered to show up and DO THEIR JOB at such a critical time, I really don’t care what they say.
If so, is it a first? I’ve been here since June 2006 and don’t remember one happening before…
But I’m sure Edwards will come out with a statement. Of course he really can’t do anything about a filibuster since he’s not a Senator…
We’ve had a few, but not for a while.
My statement on Dodd’s filibuster: $50 for Dodd. And no vote for Clinton or Obama.
Jane–I believe your expectations and right to representation should be much higher.
I believe it is inexcusable that Clinton and Obama aren’t on the Senate floor showing leadership and dissecting the obvious coverup attempt by this administration and its illegal industry partners to wreck the Constitution.
Edwards should be speaking out vigorously.
Wyden: the letters to the telecoms rquesting assistance clearly were asking for illegal activity. He is calling for the letters to be made available to all of the Senate under appropriate security conditions.
As I have been reading today, it is a lot more complicated..There is no critical vote..especially since it doesn’t appear that 41 votes are possible, even with all Pres candidates there and voting. These two dkos posts give the Dodd strategy and Senate procedures.
Link
link
Must be the Repug answer to Dodd’s filibuster. Trash the messengers and the message will die.
phred-
Obama does have a point. In this case, not voting does not harm.
This means, though, you should be mad at him over the energy bill, that received 59 cloture votes. the pres candidates’ absence killed that.
However, Bush would have vetoed. And there weren’t 67 votes.
Our system really doesn’t work under a 2 party system with bloc voting in the Senate and the president of the same party as the senate minority.
In the 50s there was a nuclear attack exercise held in public schools called “Duck and Cover”. Barack Obama’s political strategy seems to be “Cover and Duck”. He releases a statement to give himself cover then ducks the vote. Can anyone seriously call this leadership?
“It’s not clear whether he can return for the vote” What is stopping him? A crowd of rogue bunnies? He couldn’t get a permission slip from his mentor Joe Lieberman? It certainly wasn’t a love of the Constitution or a respect for the rule of law.
Obama’s statement is like Democrats in Congress who cast symbolic votes against the current war policies and then write blank checks to keep the war going. The words have no meaning without the action to follow them. Obama can return to congress to cast his vote and Michelle can continue his speaking tour. He won’t miss a beat.
Maybe we should bombard Obama with this urgency so he doesn’t have an excuse to hid behind absenteeism, again. His vote should help his campaign. It shows he is committed.
Wyden believes that telcom companies knew/were adequately warned of illegality while cooperating with preznit. Documents show there’s no justification for preznits argument.
biodun:
Re DOS attacks, it’s generally best not to mention them–unless there are apparent effects in a newly released environment, like now.
What is wrong with the site today? It takes minutes to refresh and load the page(s).
Obama? I think you mean ”Obullshit.” The guy is an empty suit, worthless.
Site is still acting up I keep getting data base errors!!! And very slow to update! Server/net connection needs more bandwidth.
Why not?
IrishJim–
Jane has already said that there may be denial of service attack going on.
What I want to know is how to confer retroactive vulnerability to Harry and Nancy’s leadership positions.
Has it been mentioned that the First Lady of Iowa endorsed John Edwards? Besides her mom and Chelsea, just who endorsed Hillary? Oh, yes, The Des Moines Register along with McCain.
While this may be true this time, Obama seems to make this a habit.
Sorry for the multiple posts. Each time I tried to submit, it came back as unable to connect to the Database. I now know to quit hitting submit if it times out. Sorry. It seems OK now.
dammit. I should have added that posting comments complaining about performance is probably a counter-productive idea–adds to the load.
Maybe we should start up that interactive chat widget that I can’t remember the name of….
Wyden wants every member of senate to go to old . . . building before casting votes in order to see how flimsy preznit arguments are.
Dodd doesn’t think its feasible.
I’m having trouble, too. Thought it was just me. Maybe the site is under surveillance;-)
Wait. Dodd doesn’t have right to see Wyden’s old exec office building documents?
Great point by Wyden! Transparency especially to elected Senators. More obfuscation!
being there for the vote does not matter… being there for the debate does. another bullshit excuse from obama.
Site seems better suddenly! Maybe DOD ended
I’d settle for even a mild case of conscience.
The break down of votes is roughly 38 Dems..12 Bush/Dogs..Lieberman…49 Thugs. Not very pretty. If the “real” Dems can pick up 5-7 seats in ‘08, it won’t be enough to overcome a filibuster but it might be enough to threaten the “nuclear option” and give the Thugs something to think about.
I’m glad to see Senator Dodd at least trying to do his job, while the other candidates are out fulfilling their ambitions. Always glad to see Miss Jane holding feet to the fire.
My gawd. I feel so much better now.
AP - White House visitor logs are public documents, a federal judge ruled Monday, rejecting a legal strategy that the Bush administration had hoped would get around public records laws.
Wyden of Oregon very good! YeaY Oregon!!
Kennedy’s speech was so well written and delivered moving out into bushco’s criminal behavior as unitary executive snubbing the rule of law and the constitutional oversight of congress, I just hope the contempt papers go out enmasse and the House picks up with the articles of Impeachment. Kennedy made an unmistakeable call to arms throwing down the gauntlet. The partisan gloves are off whether Reid likes it or not. Talking about taking the moment he showed the class of Bobby Johm F. and Martin Luther King Jr.! Awesome move time to rock.
BlueDog Rep. Boswell also endorsed HRC. Former DLC chair and previous Iowa Governor Vilsack has also endorsed HRC. Blue Dog’s and corporatist have all embraced HRC.
I noticed today that HRC is copying Edwards visit all 99 counties strategy. A notable difference is that Edwards did it in October and his was via a tour bus. Hillary is doing hers via Helicopter. I do not think the whole Helicopter tour will go over real well with us Iowans. Seems a tad bit grandiose.
Meanwhile…New pic of Joe and his new flame…
http://www.dailykos.com/story/.....698/423401
I also want to reiiterate this important point–and that is if you aren’t present on the Senate floor, you don’t have a vote that can be counted.
The second point I want to make that has been made by Ron Wyden and others is that the Bush administration is refusing to show all but a handful of US Senators the documents that detail some of the illegal wiretapping.
It is inconceivable that a US Senator would be denied clearance to see these documents. It’s horrendous enough that we are so in the dark.
I just can’t decide. Obama or Hillary?
Don’t former Senators have floor privileges at the Capitol? And can they be recognized to speak? If so, John Edwards should be in DeeCee as well, supporting Chris Dodd on the floor as a former Senator from North Carolina.
I don’t know how this privilege works. Does anyone?
He prevaricates, he prevaricates. Oprah winfrey apparently shut down persons in the audience who objected to the “evidence” offered by Chalabi type defectors of WMD. She’d probably shut down those who question her candidates sincerity as well.
At least as a person who is campaigning to be the leading democrat in this country, he could make a stand and stand with Kennedy, Dodd, Wyden etal. But no!
In other news, JimmyJeff GuckertGannon is running for the hills.
You mean which is worse?
Tim Tagaris has this update on his diary at dKos, time 3:08pm Eastern:
The Bush Administration puts out what they believe is an acceptable FISA bill. (pdf link).
Someone needs to go over the the WH and use very small words to explain to Georgie what kind of liability protectionthe telecoms already have. Clearly Dick hasn’t done that yet.
Note that it also includes the residence logs of Darth. We soon be seeing just who’all has been worshipping at the altar of The Evil One.
At the risk of being glib. Quite frankly, yes. ;0)
Dodd.
Floor privileges for former Senators? That’s a new one on me. And if so, I haven’t heard of anyone doing that…
Obama and Clinton are watching each other, doing whatever the other does. If Clinton had come to DC to speak out, Obama would have too (and vice versa). Since neither did, watching each other, they are “stuck” in Iowa to work on their personal careers rather than serve the Constitution.
Wow. What “leadership.” I’m um…well….overwhelmed. I suppose. (Yawn) Yay for Obama.
I called Edwards HQ this morning too - asked for a return call with the Senator’s position on the FISA bills - no return calls yet.
Do the prisoners in Cheney’s dungeon go on the visitor log?
And even if former Senators have floor privileges, if Edwards did that he’d be accused that he’s doing it only because he’s running for prez…
There is nothing more common than when commoners try to emulate the Royals.
If Obama was a leader I could respect, he would have led the filibuster. Instead he’s whistling past the graveyard in Iowa (or wherever he is) while Dodd is doing the heavy lifting. Sorry, he doesn’t get a pass from me because he doesn’t think his vote matters.
Any ice storms, snow storms, airport closures keeping them from flying to DC?
Do the prisoners in Cheney’s dungeon go on the visitor log?
Only once - on the “In” list…
No. The basement is technically on Cuban soil, so it’s exempt. They call it “Double Guantanamo”.
If Obama, Clinton and Edwards were smart, they would rush back to DC and fully support Dodd’s filibuster. (While Sen. McConnell warns us against rewarding the civil right damaging Burmese - but not the US - junta.)
Like Dodd, they would earn national coverage, while losing little ground won in Iowa. It’s long past time that these “leaders” are allowed to avoid taking a position on all contentious issues in hopes that they can avoid alienating voters who will never vote for them. Patriotism - like accountability moments - is something you act out every day, not every four years when the cameras roll.
Honestly, I believe the telcoms have a defense: that they were being blackmailed and arm-twisted into capitulating to the administration and forced to provide access under threat of losing their ability to operate and losing government contracts as opposed to being rewarded with contracts and favoritism if they cooperate. If the government were a business, this would be called unfair business practices.
What I don’t understand is why even Rethugs can’t figure out that this administration holds them in contempt. Maybe not as much contempt as they hold Dems in, but contempt of Congress, all the same.
earlofhuntingdon, I agree completely.
Oh well yeah. But Dodd is there. So. Kennedy’s there.
Teddy–
Former Senators do have floor privileges while the Senate is in session. (Rule XXIII) However, former Senators who become lobbyists under the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 or any successor statute, or who are employed or retained for the purpose of influencing legislation, are prohibited from from lobbying on the Senate floor (Senate Rule XXXVII, clause8).
By tradition, former Senators are also accorded floor privileges in the House ofRepresentatives, including joint meetings and sessions of Congress.
Ordinarily, former Senators cannot speak on the floor, although heads of foreign states under relatively rare circumstances have been invited to address a Joint Session of Congress.
He’s got a million of ‘em!
Good question. Or maybe they just don’t think it matters whether we take them seriously.
I think Oprah needs to get on the phone and tell Obama to get his derier back to DC.
I’ll vote for that. ;0)
Oh look, we have ice/snow in the Northeast, but Teddy made it. Dodd got to DC from Iowa, I believe.
What have the Clintons said about this? at any time? when was the last time the Clintons said anything about this issue?
Any ice storms, snow storms, airport closures keeping them from flying to DC?
When I spoke to Senator aid this morning I asked and waas told the weather there was OK for air travel. If HRC is choppering around It must be good to go.
” I just missed a zed–toobz tied up.”
OMG! FDL has had its toobz tied!
Does that mean there won’t be any little FDLs running around?
No Firepuppies?
[Daily attempt at humor]
Bob in HI
Wyden mentioned someone, Mark Solomon (? — I’m bad with names) that he requested to be on the floor with UC. Is he a former Senator? The name was unfamiliar to me. If so, then it does raise the question of why Edwards didn’t show…
The LA Times gets one thing right, in a wire-service headline:
Dodd is acting like an American. It is a wonderful thing to see. Who will join him?
Actually, given the choice between Oprah and Obama for prez, I’d likely choose the “entertainer”.
Dodd is doing his job.
Sadly, I think Obama needs a call from Oprah to do very much of anything at this point.
Where the hell is Biden?
Only if they’ve passed their “swimming” lessons.
Go Dobbs! Speak up for all citizens!
My lady, lahoma, who is upstairs in bed with a bad cold, just emailed me to say Dodd is beginning to politically capture her imagination. This is important. Seriously. If lahoma tells me something, I listen.
phred–
http://rules.senate.gov/senaterules/rule23.php
This details who can get onto the Senate floor.
You’ve got a whole lot of new names for the next oathbreaker session.
Listen to Dodd articulate law and politics. Once upon a time, we had presidents who could sit up, beg and roll over without losing the bone in their mouth. Not this president, and Cheney only talks when inside the Cone of Silence. Demand more. Vote for it.
Go Dodd!!!
Oprah is so fatuous. she hung on every word Chalabi and his buddies had to say about WMD and shut down audience members who asked inconvenient questions. If it doesn’t fit into her Hallmark card view of struggle/& victory, she doesn’t see it. She’s probably viewing Obama with a pink fuzzy lense used on old Aaron spelling sets.
Senator Dodd mentions risk of medical and financial records being monitored.. Please do not forget atty client privilege.
As for the wannabes they better support Dobbs or there will be hell to pay in the polls and the ballot boxes. No suport for Dobbs No vote in the ballot box!!
AP - President Bush said Monday he is hopeful he can sign a $500 billion-plus catchall spending bill emerging on Capitol Hill, but only after Democrats agree to accept funding for U.S. troops in Iraq.
What will the House do with this perversion of a Senate bill? Most of FISA survives termination of the FISA amendments. Let the original amendments expire.
Orrin Batchwarrant up……
OOPS Dodd!
Where, indeed?
{WaPo chatz, 10/19/07}
hatch is a sl o o o w talker
Cspan is getting hinky on me. Do we have links to full speeches besides Ted’s great one?
You’ll need to know his name if you’re going to vote for him. That would be Chris Dodd. *G*
Oh, No! Not Orrin Hatch! Good thing I have to go; got a Dr. appt.
Kiddo, lahoma is a smart lady.
Where is Biden and all the Dem candidates?… They underestimated the importance of this milestone event. The Rethug movement will come undone during this filibuster series. This is a preview of the impeachment hearings that will come in the House where the dirt will flow like a muddy river and sweep the repubs and the spineless dems out of power. Keep calling, faxing and e-mailing. Call ACLU and EFF for legal action. Struggle!
A great flowchart for following the Senate proceedings.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo...../3140/5458
Dodd is the big dogg.
Hatch I call bullshit!
I know Biden has been in the Senate since 1981, nearly 27 tears. His words are particularly sharp and eloquent today and this may be his finest hours in the Senate.
The speeches of all the Republicans and Feinstein are desultory, deceiving, and show the utmost contempt for your Constitutional Rights to privacy. They show how much contempt most of Congress has for your intelligence and how stupid they think you are.
Scary. And Ted mentioned the airlines and blackwater. They’re doing a good job of tag teaming. I wonder if Wyden also purposely produced exhibit “docs in the old exec building.” If so, good work.
Orrin Hatch up, EWWWWW