Biden will join Dodd's filibuster

[cali]

by mcjoan
Fri Oct 19, 2007 at 03:10:02 PM PDT
Via Transplanted Texan, the news that Biden will support Dodd in filibustering any fix to the Protect America Act that includes retroactive immunity for the telecoms.

From a Washington Post chat here's Biden, in a rare display of brevity:

San Francisco: Will you join Sen. Chris Dodd's hold and proposed filibuster on any FISA bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecoms? Thanks for joining us for this chat today, Sen. Biden, and thanks for the leadership you provide the Democratic Party and America.

Sen. Joe Biden: Yes.
Biden could also use his position on the Judiciary Committee to strip those provisions out of the bill when it comes to that committee next. Hopefully that will happen, hopefully a filibuster won't be necessary.

But if it is, where are Clinton and Obama? To quote MissLaura:

But it's not enough to say they'll vote against immunity. At a bare minimum, they need to be willing to vote to sustain the filibuster. Anything less says "I am not willing to stand strong against George W. Bush's assault on the Constitution." Leadership would entail participating. If Dodd's reading from the phone book, stand up, take it from him, and keep reading.

A strong statement from Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton that either will actively work to prevent passage of any bill with an immunity provision in it would make it less likely that a filibuster would even be necessary. Their participation would make it more likely that a filibuster was upheld. Will they stand up for civil liberties, accountability, the rule of law, the Constitution?
Four presidential candidates united against this proposal could kill it. Senators Clinton and Obama, what say you?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/19/18852/804

[Ian David]

1. The most dangerous place in Washington is between Biden and an open microphone.

Of COURSE Biden will filibuster!

I'd be amazed if he could stop talking long enough to kiss his wife.

[RufusTFirefly]

8. ROFLMAO!!! So true. Thanks IanDB1!!! n/t

[ProSense]

2. Harry Reid would be crazy to allow that to come to the floor!

The bill is being filibustered by the majority party. Bizarre!

[Trillo]

10. I guess that in America's legislative bodies,

as long as you're in the "right minority", you too can get your way.

[lateo]

17. From what I understand

Reid gets a lot of money from telcos.

[spanone]

3. Yes. Good News.

r

[Eric J in MN]

4. Cool. NT

NT

[mmonk]

5. Yes!

This is good.

[book_worm]

6. Ok Hillary and Obama--what say you?

[Eric J in MN]

7. With 39 more Senators agreeing to the filibuster, we can keep the FISA law...

...the way it was from the 1970s through the Clinton years.

[ProSense]

12. Why risk even sending it to the floor?

A filibuster requires 40 Senators, that's 80% of Senate Democrats. So even if they can filibuster, why bother even letting the bill come to the floor? Dems are in charge. A hold (when there was uncertainty that it could be voted down is one thing), but this is bizarre. If for some strange reason the filibuster fails, it's over. This is the most bizarre thing. Dems are in the majority; what the hell are they doing.

[Eric J in MN]

15. I agree, but apparently Harry Reid is eager to pass a FISA bill.

Also, 60 votes means cloture succeeds, and so we need 41 votes to maintain the filibuster.

[Ian David]

20. Bush must have wiretapped some of their offices.

The same way he wiretapped the offices of The United Nations before the Iraq War vote.

[gateley]

9. I'm so pleased they are willing to filibuster - that's what counts, their willingness. nt

[Ian David]

11. Do they get to use the Republicker Imaginary Virtual Filibuster, or do they actually have to work?nt

[Eric J in MN]

16. I don't think Harry Reid is going to force his fellow Democrats to read the phone book,

...if there are 41 or more votes against cloture.

[Luminous Animal]

13. This is excellent news!

Send your thanks to Joe. Push Hillary and Barak. They all need to be on board.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. My guess is that Russ will join it too. Our Liberties Are At Stake Here and Our

Party Has Been Hijacked!!!!

[jillan]

18. I am glad that Biden is going to join Dodd on this - even if it is just to take a stand.

[bvar22]

19. Biden and Dodd earned extra stars for LEADERSHIP from me.

Hillary...Obama...where are you?


The time to speak out is NOW, not AFTER the fight is over.