Chris Dodd Leads Where Reid Fails

[marmar]

from HuffPost:




Taylor Marsh
Chris Dodd Leads Where Reid Fails
Posted October 19, 2007 | 02:59 PM (EST)



by Taylor Marsh


There's really no other way to say it. Senator Harry Reid's reported well aimed shiv into Senator Chris Dodd's shoulder blades is illustrative of so many things and for me it foreshadows the beginning of a new battle. Dodd's hold on the telecom amnesty bill is a direct shot at Mr. Bush. It bothers Reid's delicate sensibilities that abhors a confrontation. No doubt Reid's minions will send out talking points to his people taking the wait and see approach, while taking no actions to say what needs to be said; that Harry Reid will respect Dodd's hold. If Reid caves and brings the bill up anyway, as is his tradition so as not to put the genial atmosphere of the Senate into confrontation mode, ignoring that Republcians do that all of the time keeping Reid on his heels regularly, Dodd has promised to filibuster.

Via Jane at Firedoglake:


Are you willing to go to the mat to restore the Constitution?
Just last night, we heard there are plans to disregard Senator Dodd's intention to place a hold on a FISA bill that includes amnesty for telecommunications companies.

That would be a pretty extraordinary move, but Chris Dodd has pledged to stop this horrible bill any way he can.

So if the hold is not honored, he is prepared to go to the Senate floor and filibuster.

Rolling back the Bush Administration assault on the rule of law has been a major focus of Chris Dodd's work in the Senate -- and it's also a centerpiece in his campaign for President.

Dodd Goes to the Mat: Says He Will Filibuster FISA



Reid's tenure as majority leader has been nothing but an exercise in timidity, which is about a lot more than not having the votes to pass legislation. It's not about having a slim majority. It's about the leader of the Senate having the passion to wage public campaigns on issues that matter to us so that in lieu of passing legislation that stops Bush at least the public knows we've got a fighter in charge and that Democrats have the passion and sense of purpose to wage battles, even when they don't have a full majority to pass what the people want.

Glenn Greenwald got the typical response:


I emailed Reid's office to ask if they actually intended to override and ignore Dodd's "hold" and this is the patronizing (though crystal clear) dismissal I received back as a "response" from Reid's spokesman, Jim Manley:
Reid will work with Dodd and other Senators to correct the deep flaws in the Protect America Act.

Clearly, Reid has nothing but contempt for Dodd's principled stand, which was generated by (and in response to) the actions of tens of thousands of Americans concerned about our constitutional liberties and the rule of law. Reid is dismissively brushing that all to the side -- as usual -- to ensure the safe and smooth passage of a Draconian bill jointly demanded by the Bush administration, the telecom industry, and their lobbyists.......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/chris-dodd-leads-where-re_b_69159.html

[LSparkle]

1. I'm liking Dodd more and more -- he should be next Maj. Leader

in case the WH race doesn't work out ...