Dodd challenges rivals to filibuster FISA bill

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd said Friday he will follow through on threats to filibuster the FISA bill next week – and the Democratic contender is calling on three of his fellow presidential candidates to come back to Capitol Hill to support him, as promised.

Dodd announced in October that he would oppose the measure over a provision that contained legal protection for the telecom industry from lawsuits over invasion of privacy if they allow the government access to individuals’ phone records. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced on the Senate floor Friday that the FISA renewal bill, which contains the controversial immunity provision, will be taken up this Monday.

Dodd’s campaign immediately sent out an e-mail message to supporters in which they called on the other senators in the presidential hunt — Hillary Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois, and Joe Biden of Delaware – to leave Iowa behind to support Dodd’s filibuster effort, as they’d promised to do.

“Remember when this all started playing out? A lot of people rushed to send out strongly worded press releases about how committed they were to 'supporting a filibuster.' They'll have a chance to show they are true to their word,” said Dodd staffer Tim Tagaris. “Call or email the Senators that pledged their opposition to this bill to support the Dodd Amendment and a filibuster if necessary. And ask them to be there with Dodd when it counts.”

Biden, Clinton and Obama are all currently scheduled to be on the trail Monday, with less than three weeks to go until the Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/12/14/dodd-challenges-rivals-to-filibuster-fisa-bill/

[AzDar]

1. Good for Dodd! Now, let's see who stands where......

:kick:

[IndianaGreen]

2. Harry Reid is a pig for pushing for amnesty for the telecom industry for spying on us

Dodd is right and we must demand that Biden, Clinton, and Obama join Dodd's filibuster.

[maximusveritas]

4. We need non-candidates to join

Even Feingold has yet to say if he'd join in the filibuster. If it's just the Presidential candidates, it'll be dismissed as a political stunt.

[Inuca]

14. Feingold is in

Reid specifically said on Friday that 60 votes will be needed to proceed to the FISA bill because of Dodd's and Feingold's opposition. Both of them will also speak about the bill MOnday morning before the vote.

[deacon]

5. What's taking place between bush and dem leadership is an absolute travesty. n/t

[badgervan]

3. If Reid Caves Again.....

.... we need to demand he step down from the Senate Leadership position. We need someone of integrity and bravery to head the Senate. Russ Feingold would not let us down like Harry has ( time after time after time... ).

[DRoseDARs]

6. He has already lost this Nevadan's vote for reelection...

I'll vote whatever liberal third party candidate challenges him next time around unless, of course, there's a REAL Democrat who steps up to the plate.

[jonnyra]

10. IF Reid caves??

You mean WHEN Reid caves. This is a done deal people. There might be some protests and filibusters and what not but it will pass. After everything we have seen from the democrats is there really any reason to hold out hope?? Seriously.

If I were the owners of DU I think I would be considering a name change...maybe independent underground or something...its embarrassing to keep backing these people who simply help promote the fascist agenda of the Bush crime family and this rogue administration.

[IndianaGreen]

13. Giving Congress to the Democrats has made little difference

Democrats cannot be relied upon to defend our security and freedoms. They are another wing of the same bird of prey.

[bbgrunt]

7. that is called LEADERSHIP. Let's see if anyone else can walk the talk.

[ThomCat]

8. I hope the democrats line up with him and block that piece of shit

bill. x(

There is no way in hell the telecom industry should be immune from repercussions of spying. They have massive power to monitor us. They need to take full responsibility for what they do and how they do it.

[pleah]

9. I hope he gets this done.

I am so sick of these assholes caving every time.

[LeftCoast]

11. Thank you Sen Dodd!

I may just vote for him in the Primary for this.

[Orsino]

12. What's that smell? Is it leadership?

Let's see Dodd actually filibuster, and see who joins him.

[creeksneakers2]

15. Dodd is the best candidate the Democrats have

Perhaps standing up to Bush will put him in the top tier where he belongs.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Agreed

I wish a big newspaper would endorse him.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

16. If John Kerry was the Senate Majority Leader we would have a fiibuster.

But if John Kerry was the Senate Majority leader we wouldn't need a filibuster because it wouldn't be coming up for a vote right now. Reid needs to be replaced by a real Democrat.

[rateyes]

17. If none of them join him...

then Dodd gets my vote. Period. End of sentence.