President Bernie Sanders Would Dismantle NSA Spying

[Playinghardball]

May 1, 2015 Bernie Sanders is running for president for many reasons, and you're going to hear about a lot of them on the campaign trail.

But quietly—at least relative to his wonk-laden sermons on economic populism—Sanders has for years also been one of the Senate's fiercest critics of the National Security Agency's secretive surveillance operations. And, unlike Hillary Clinton, he's been remarkably clear about where he stands.

The Vermont independent, who officially announced his White House bid on Thursday, is widely viewed by Beltway types as more of a debate-stage prop to bounce liberal ideas off Clinton on her march toward an inevitable Democratic primary victory. Polling has routinely placed Sanders in the single digits among Democratic voters. But while progressives are hopeful he can serve as an Elizabeth Warren surrogate and challenge Clinton on Wall Street reform, Sanders' candidacy also offers an opportunity to force Clinton to talk more concretely about domestic surveillance—something he has not minced words about since the Edward Snowden disclosures began in 2013.

"Kids will grow up knowing that every damn thing that they do is going to be recorded some place in a file, and I think that will have a very Orwellian and very inhibiting impact on the way we live our lives," Sanders told MSNBC's Chris Hayes just days after the initial batch of Snowden files emerged. "I want our law enforcement people to be vigorous in going after terrorists. But I happen to believe they can do that without disregarding the Constitution of the United States or the civil liberties of the American people."

http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/president-bernie-sanders-would-dismantle-nsa-spying-20150501

[Maedhros]

1. For that alone, he is the best candidate. [n/t]

[Enthusiast]

2. PLUS ONE, a huge bunch!

[TheNutcracker]

3. kick kick kick

[rhett o rick]

4. On what issues can Clinton challenge him on? Seriously!

He favors social equality, income equality, freedom from domestic spying, regulating Wall Street, breaking up the big banks, etc. Again, on which issues can she challenge him?

[Maedhros]

6. I imagine foreign policy would be on the list.

Although I'd argue her experience in that arena is in line with Bush Doctrine.

[rhett o rick]

7. I think the people might find his candor on foreign to be a great change from the

neocon/American Exceptionalism we've seen up to now. Of course there are some Democratic voters that do love the "Spreading Democracy" theme that the Republicons love so much.

[Volaris]

8. He's not a Clinton. on that issue she kicks his ass completly;)

[rhett o rick]

11. I agree for those that worship the Clintons. But otherwise, she will have a hard

time finding issues where she can be more progressive. In fact her close ties with Wall Street might hurt her.

"Hillary Clinton Tells Wall Street She Believes Anti-Wall Street Rhetoric ‘Foolish’"

http://news.firedoglake.com/2013/12/12/hillary-clinton-tells-wall-street-she-believes-anti-wall-street-rhetoric-foolish/

I think the average voter will be looking for change and escape from the status quo.

[smokey nj]

9. Bernie's all the good, none of the bad.

[Historic NY]

5. Yeah not unless the Congress approves....

some people have unreasonable or fail to realize the President doesn't make the laws, he only approves or veto's laws.

What do you think he's Putin or something???

[smokey nj]

10. Bernie's been a member of Congress for more than 2 decades, I'm sure he doesn't need you to tell

him how things work.

[rhett o rick]

12. Unless you are trying to insinuate that the President is powerless, I don't know what

your point is.