Login Here
Statement of Senator Clinton:
Today, I will vote against Republican efforts to shortchange the debate on the FISA Amendments Act, important legislation that would modernize our surveillance laws and give our nation's intelligence professionals the tools they need to fight terrorism and make our country more secure. Rather than allow the Senate the opportunity to consider important amendments to this vital legislation, Republicans are instead blocking meaningful debate on this bill by playing procedural games, choosing instead to score cheap political points at the expense of our Homeland Security.
This legislation deserves a thorough debate. Several provisions - including those which would have a profound impact on the civil liberties of Americans - need to be the subject of careful deliberation. For example, the bill under consideration gives telecommunication companies blanket retroactive immunity for their alleged cooperation in the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. I continue to believe that a grant of retroactive immunity is wrong, and I have cosponsored Senator Dodd's amendment to remove that provision from the bill. The Bush Administration has blatantly disregarded Americans' civil liberties over the past seven years, and I simply will not trust them to protect Americans' privacy rights. With the temporary Protect America Act set to expire on February 1st, I strongly believe that we need to pass balanced legislation that protects our civil liberties and the rule of law while giving our law enforcement and intelligence agencies the tools they need to protect our country.
I've also contacted the Obama campaign for a statement from Senator Obama.
Many thanks to everyone who have faxed their Senators over this.
Share This 
Spotlight
Jane!
let’s hope there is no cloture
On topic from Jim C
Just off the phone with Adam, Senator Specter’s National Security advisor. He told me Specter favors the amendment offered by Specter and Whitehouse. When I reminded him that no amendments will be allowed if he votes Yes on cloture,He replied that he believes Specter will vote NO on cloture
Thanks. Just tried to get through to Arlens FAX. Busy.
Jane Thanks for all you do. I have great hope that we can continue to push the Democrats to do the right thing. I know that you will be leading the parade to do that. And thanks for all the great posts and comments to help carry the load. Keep it up.
Hillary deserves kudos for this statement and the action this afternoon backing it up.
I’m pretty sure, however, I do not want this country led over the next 4 (or 8) years by one of the families that’s led it over the last twenty.
Unless I’m seeing double in a very odd way, the last sentence of Hillary’s statement has been repeated in the post with quotation marks around it. You might want to fix that.
I just got off the phone with a staff member from McCaskill’s campaign who claims that he did not know how the Senator was voting on cloture. I informed him that I was a McCaskill supporter that both volunteered for the Senator and financially contributed to the Senator’s last campaign. I politely stated that the cloture vote was a deal breaker and I would not be voting for her if she sided with the GOP on this.
As an aside, I called last Friday and got right through. I was on hold for a couple minutes this time around. I hope that is a good sign.
Phew! Hopefully Clinton’s statement will bring more light to this issue.
I’m pretty happy with this language. (Other than “our Homeland Security,” which still grates.) Good job, everyone!
That could be a very good sign (unless the Rethugs are also faxing in favor of cloture.) I faxed to thirty Senators yesterday and nobody’s line was busy. I found that depressing.
A good statement, as far as it goes. It is unfortunate that such expressions have to be pried out of any candidate. While I thank Senator Clinton for her words, I don’t view this as leadership, but rather ‘followership’. And I think it is typical of what we would see in a Clinton administration.
Still, I thank her for her communication and her vote today.
I’m expecting some kind of a legislative vote trick that will let Hilary vote against FISA once then the bill will fail and come up again later after all the press has died down.
Of course Bush will attack Hilary in the State of the Union address regardless of what she does on FISA like a beaten wife the Dems get slapped if the soup is hot or if the soup is cold.
Thanks Jane you rock!
From DC: Harry Reid just gave Christy props for all the great work she has done on FISA. Woo hoo Christy!
I am still confused about Sheldon Whitehouse’s position on FISA. He is #1 in the Senate for progressive voting record..His telecom position makes no political sense. Even looking at his campaign contributions gives no answer. ?????
When I called Clintons office I had to wait two or three minutes on hold. Schumers office answered immediately and the fellow blurted right out that Schumer planned to vote NO before I even finished saying it myself.
It never ceases me amaze me how stupid bushco must think the people in this country are. Don’t tell me the telco’s didn’t know they were breaking the law, else Quest wouldn’t have balked at participation. How many lawyers do these companies employ? What about the damn rule of law?
You are making me blush…thanks, Marcy.
We lose our leverage on things like FISA as soon as somebody gets a lock on the nomination.
Hi Jane–
I sent you email about some book titles…
I’m glad to hear that Hillary will voting against immunity but could her policy stance be any more right-wing?
He replied that he believes Specter will vote NO on cloture
I think Specter will vote NAY on cloture on the Bond/Rockefeller amendment. And to counterbalance that, Lieberman will vote AYE. I think the vote will otherwise be straight party line.
I just got off the phone with Senator Feinstein’s office. There was no wait and the young man I spoke to had way too much time to ramble on about how She had not decided how she would vote but that a “no” on cloture would “end” the debate. I told him this was absurd but Feinstein’s office clearly needs to hear more people urging her to vote no.
Isn’t Lieberman out campaigning with McCain?
You earned it. Congrats
Ain’t that the truth!
Ann in AZ @ 1:
Congrats! I’m taking myself out of zed race. I’ll tell you why on Facebook. I enjoyed the zed hunt while it lasted. And it was glorious…*g* Happy hunting!
Speaking of leadership, Hillary is the Senator that is trying to block Bush from using “State of Forces Agreements” to keep us in Iraq forever…There is one co-sponsor, Sheldon Whitehouse, otherwise *crickets*.
Harry is on our side on this?
Excellent that Reid recognizes Christy’s hard work!
Cool! And well deserved. Where did you hear that?
It’s good that Hillary is going to be on the floor to vote against cloture. But this is a pretty awful statement. It never offers a hint that Clinton will vote against the bill if the amendment fails. It strongly suggests that FISA as amended in Bush’s first term is obsolete and inadequate to give the snooping community “the tools they need” to fight terrorism. It therefore strongly implies that if last summer’s abomination is allowed to lapse, with nothing but the real FISA law to back it up, we will all be at the mercy of bin Laden. There isn’t a single word in it designed to educate the public on the falsehood of the Administration’s talking points.
This is roughly a tenth of a percent of the leadership we have the right to expect from a Democratic “leader”. Her forthright answers to the Globe’s queries on executive power would have led me to expect significantly better from her, and I’m disappointed.
But every tiny baby step taken forward is a step not taken backward, so I guess the glass is 51% full. Kudos to Jane and all the ‘roots.
Here’s one sentence from my fax:
I keep wondering how far out of the loop McCain and Lieberman are right now. All the butt kissing has not helped them get the support from the right wing of the party. McCain is being trashed. Maybe not showing is his revenge.
Did you call the DC office or a state office. Just curious.
EW, what was context of this? Is there a link?
I’m at a schmoozy event in DC. It fell into the part of discussion of things where he doesn’t always agree with us.
DiFi is closet repuke. I didn’t vote for her in the last election. A yes vote wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
He has been right about stupidity for seven years..why not eight? !/2 of the Adult American population is thought to be functionally illiterate..that has worked well with the Thugs and the terra message.
I was wondering where you were. I’m very curious about what you have to say, and will look forward to checking my facebook page. Hope you’re not offended about anything. Check you later.
Well, well, well. I hope Chimpy doesn’t burst into tears tonight…
I just updated the prior post with information on Feinstein, but I wanted to be sure everyone had it here as well:
California readers will no doubt be unsurprised by this — but Sen. Feinstein continues to dither about her vote. Please give her a call and tell her to vote “NO” on cloture. She’s a Democrat, and it sure would be nice if she acted like it.
Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954
TTY/TDD: (202) 224-2501
Straight party line would be a huge jump. Are you sure that’s what you meant?
I called the D.C office. I called her state office on Friday.
That’s what I see as so sinister about this type of intimidation. Qwest seems to be a case of someone getting punished for doing the right thing.
Hillary is the Senator that is trying to block Bush from using “State of Forces Agreements” to keep us in Iraq forever
Status of Forces Agreement, also known as a SOFA. There has been very little debate in the Senate on this, but Senator Lugar has offered an amendment to require engaging in a dialog to draft a SOFA with Iraq.
SOFA’s aren’t per se good or bad, it’s the contents of them that make a difference. We have SOFA agreements with Germany and Japan, to address issues that might arise due to the presence of US forces on their soil.
ny resident-called schumer,clinton,obama & lieberman (just for fun). left msg for Obama about my concerns about his bipartisian statements in the past and that for that you need true partners, not folks who bend the laws as it suits them…..
re Reid- he needs to pay attention when we disagree because the gals here are top of it!! If he disagrees he needs to examine his thought process..just saying….
Ann in AZ @ 41:
Oh no no no. Not at all. Au contraire…(The reason I’m taking myself out is obvious…) I left you a message on Facebook just now. *G*
Great news and congrats! FDL has really turned up the heat on wimpy Democrats. Hillary (not a wimp, but an opportunist) was conveniently on tour during the FISA issue on Friday. Seems they were all hoping that no one was paying attention. The MSM provided very significant cover for them. The FISA issue was nowhere to be seen. The only way anyone knows about FISA is from Websites like FDL, Salon and Emptywheel.
Good goin’ Christy! And you too, EW and Jane : ) Knock ‘em dead down there. Please. ; )
OT:
Obama, Kennedy on cspan1
Putting the Stink on Barrack Obama
“Indicted Obama” or
“Indicted Obama-Fundraiser” or
“Indicted Rezko was Obama Fundraiser”
more from GoogleNews
Indicted Obama Fundraiser Rezko Arrested
CHICAGO (AP) - Indicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who has poured thousands of dollars into Barack Obama’s political campaigns, was arrested by federal agents Monday after his $2 million bail was revoked.
Indicted Obama fundraiser Rezko arrested
By Kansas City Star: Politics on Barack Obama
Federal agents arrested indicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who has poured thousands of dollars into Barack Obama’s political campaigns, on Monday after prosecutors moved to revoke his $2 million bail, authorities said.
Indicted Obama Fundraiser Rezko Arrested
By Politics | AP | Huffington Post Wires on Barack Obama
CHICAGO — Federal agents arrested indicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who has poured thousands of dollars into Barack Obama’s political campaigns, on Monday after prosecutors moved to revoke his $2 million bail, authorities said. The U.S. Attorney’s office and FBI Special Agent Tom Simon confirmed the real estate developer and fast food magnate’s arrest at his home in suburban Wilmette, but would not discuss the reasoning behind the government’s bail revocation…
Political fundraiser Rezko arrested
By MSNBC.com: Politics on Barack Obama
Indicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who has poured thousands of dollars into Barack Obama’s political campaigns, was arrested by federal agents Monday after his bail was revoked.
Indicted Obama fundraiser Rezko arrested (AP)
By Yahoo! News: U.S. News on Barack Obama
AP - Indicted political fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who has poured thousands of dollars into Barack Obama’s political campaigns, was arrested by federal agents Monday after his $2 million bail was revoked.
Wow, that’s an honor! Where is it posted? Is there a video? Congrats and way to go, Christy!
Straight party line would be a huge jump. Are you sure that’s what you meant?
Yes. Straight party line except Lieberman (AYE) and Specter (NAY). Just my guess, but there is good cover for both sides and all Senators to come out this way at this point in time.
The fact that House won’t have time to dicker over the bill this week, coupled with a Friday lapse of PAA make an extension the only reasonably certain outcome. There will be plenty of bluster and bullshit from all sides, but that’s where this is headed.
emptywheeel @ 15:
Well, well, well, I say again. Well deserved I say. Christy never quits…
Thanks to Jane, Christy, and Marcie for all your work and for keeping the pressure on! I called Levin and Stabenow’s office (my first call ever…I prefer email) and was assured by Levin’s staff that he does not support immunity. Stabenow’s staff said she would pass my message on to the Senator. I’ve sent more than one email to Obama urging him to come back and vote correctly. I hope that Jane gets a response soon! Thanks again…you folks are wonderful.
OT — Obama rally at American University on Washington Post video, right now. They finally started after playing both sides of that old Paul Simon album . . . . Patrick Kennedy up now . . . .
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01139.html
The thing about DiFi, especially now since she’s not running again is that her votes suit her not her constituents. She votes with the pukes more than her own party. Lord only knows what the repupublics have on her but they must have something.
Well it looks like Hillary got my email.
Good.
More than just lip service, for once.
Time for Obama to nut up.
OT– I agree C-SPAN1 is better video for Obama rally:
http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs.....38;Code=CS
DiFink? I’m on it.
You do realize that four out of the five “news” orgs you are citing there are using the same AP story?
You know what, we can bitch and moan about Obama because he is not exactly what WE want but I haven’t seen anyone who genuinely inspired people like this in years.
Nice work Christy, Jane and all the FDLakers. Keep up the good fight and know that you have made a difference.
How much more cover does anyone need to vote “no” on cloture? I mean, really.
Here’s some more good language:
http://apnews.myway.com//artic.....0P381.html
And Neil@53, have the feds caught Norman Hsu yet? You know, the guy who gave Clinton $850,000 in bogus campaign funds, and whom has ALSO been indicted?
Which trial do you think will come first?
Do you think that the judge might allow the prosecution attorneys to call Clinton, and Obama to testify, in the respective trials, in the middle of the election campaign?
Inquiring minds want to know. :o)
Yeah, but what exactly are they inspired by? I can’t quite see it. I see the glossy exterior, the superior speaking skills - the grand rhetoric. And, uh, hmmm.
Beerfart head over heart pick: Cloture passes. Actually that’s just a guess. But aren’t all of my picks? No matter what, the effort was worth it.
no immunity for the telecoms or bush/cheney
But, isn’t that the root of the problem? I called the Boston Globe this morning to complain about some misleading information they reprinted from the WaPo. It’s time we started calling out the MSM for their sloppy cut-and-paste approach to reporting. They spend so much time beating us up for being an echo chamber, that we need to return the favor when their own echoes are so blatant biased.
Yea, I was thinking Malcom X or Stokley Carmichael were going to get elected.
I completely agree with you. I’ve not seen him in person. But I don’t get it.
Yes. I saw it was an AP story and I realize the misleading headline,
“Indicted Obama Fundraiser Rezko Arrested”
will be in every newspaper and on every website in the country.
So are the “Ombama is a Muslim” emails. So what?
My usual reactionary response to a lousy senator.
To DiFi via email:
Vote no on FISA cloture and represent the American people rather than the fascist corporate structure of the Bush Administration. How do you want to be remembered? Or do you care?
No immunity and impeachment. Well a fish can dream, right?
All the candidates suck. You NEVER know what you’ll get when someone gets elected. If that’s the case I think a step in the direction of racial equality is enough for me.
Amen. That is my point in posting the Obama Rezko headlines. The issue is a valid concern but the headlines are ridiculously misleading.
“Vote no on FISA cloture and represent the American people rather than the fascist corporate structure of the Bush Administration. How do you want to be remembered? Or do you care?”
Shame them……………..
Thank You Jane and Christy for holding thier feet to the fire.
just faxed
had to suck it up writing “honorable”. respect for the office, and all that…
Yup, it’s a suckfest. Any Dem will do a million times better than what we have now. For me it has nothing to do with race but the fact that we have serious issues facing this country and I’m trying to figure out who would be best prepared to solve them.
Ted Kennedy can still speak!
What’s the Vegas line on this vote? Monopoly money - I’m giving ten votes to “no.”
And KO.
Good luck
Yep. Glad you posted that. It really is infuriating to listen to the holier-than-thou blather from the MSM, then see them pull this nonsense. The quality of reporting is just lamentable, and yet like Bush, they are all too happy to pull out their own scare tactics, “if you stop subscribing to us, whatever will you do for news?”. The answer to that question may not be clear, but you can bet it won’t be any worse than the crap reporting that the MSM does right now.
Fee America of corporate instilled energy addiction. Free America of servile prejudices. Free America of ignorance propagated and perpetuated by opportunist seeking to line their own pockets at America’s expense!!!!
Yes he can… the old lion.
Yeah! I asked the same question and the person I spoke with said the same thing (fingers crossed)….
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo.....954/444502
most certain for KO who’s had the legal scholars on to talk about the fisa issues….
Compared to what we’ve got right now, it’s an enormous step up.
You should also consider the symbolic value of the President. We’ve spent the last 7 years being represented by a Connecticut rich kid pretending to be a Texas cowboy, who only ran because of his last name and managed to take the Presidency despite losing the election. The rest of the world has been laughing at us about it for years, and people are only now starting to realize that they aren’t laughing WITH us. Obama is the son of a Kenyan immigrant. The fact that he’s a serious contender for the Presidency, given his background, resonates with people. Compare that to Hillary (wife of a past President). In one stroke, his election will fundamentally change the way Americans look at themselves, not to mention the way the world looks at America. That’s a big deal.
Thanks phred. Wouldn’t you like to know the unholy connection at the AP that put that headline on that story?
Feinstein’s line busy, busy, busy. Good sign, I hope.
tbsa @ 84:
Like Raven, I say good luck too… And plase let us know when you have an answer…*g*
It has a lot to do with race for me. I watched proud young brothers fucked over by both the system as whole and cracker-ass NCO’s in particular and I’ll never forget it. “glossy exterior, the superior speaking skills - the grand rhetoric.” Better that he be a schmuck that can’t talk.
i’m not comfy in matters legal but i know bullshit when i smell it….i emailed my 2 sens here in jersey - i have no fax machine.
Has George Kennedy endorsed Sen. Obama yet?
-G
Now give a little leeway here. FISA did need an update (and it has received various updates over the years) to deal with new telecom technology: being able to listen in on foreign-to-foreign calls that route through the US, for instance. What ISN’T needed is any capability at all to spy on ANY Americans, inside or outside the country, without a specific warrant.
I sure would : )
I just watched Teddy give his speach endorsing Obama. Pretty good stuff.
While I am not the most fervent of Obama fans, you have to admit that he revs people up.
I also think it will signal the death knell of the regional hegemony in politics that the South has wielded over America for decades.
It will be a repudiation of the Southern strategy and coded racist politicking.
-G
Please note that I don’t mean to imply that everyone who lives in the South is a racist.
Good for you Mary - perfectly stated!
Feinstein’s line is busy busy busy because she is busy chatting up with her BFFs in the Telco industry.
I’m sorry but as someone who grew up abroad an American is an American is an American. Besides, there are many non-white people who are used to presidents that look like them. To foreigners, policy is the most critical issue, not skin color. I’m not saying his oratorical ability won’t resonate in English-speaking countries, but it’ll still come down to policy.
George Kennedy is endorsing Obama? Who is Clint Eastwood endorsing? :)
How do you all feel about voting for HRC? I’m struggling with possibly having to vote for her. I’ve never been undecided 8 days from the Primary.
Then vote for a republican, you’ll know what you are getting.