Rockefeller re FISA: he can help House Democrats understand how far the White House is willing to go

[sabra]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120451119707106821.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

<snip>

Instead of battling, Sen. Rockefeller decided it was more productive to join forces, his aides said. He agreed with the administration that a new surveillance law should give phone companies some type of immunity from lawsuits because they participated in "good faith." Critics have drawn links between his support for immunity and $68,000 in recent contributions to Sen. Rockefeller's 2008 re-election campaign from AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., but the senator's aides deny any connection.

By November, Sen. Rockefeller's committee had a proposal that both parties and the White House could agree upon. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the measure Feb. 13. The temporary law expired Feb. 16.

Now comes the hard part. The House approved its bill in November and it differed with the Senate bill in two critical ways: It required more judicial oversight and didn't grant immunity to phone companies.

...

Aides to Sen. Rockefeller said he is committed to his bill and that he can help House Democrats understand how far the White House is willing to go. House Democrats, for their part, say they hope "he'll push on the Republicans and on the White House as hard as he pushed on Democrats," a Democratic congressional aide said.

[riderinthestorm]

1. Gee, I am so surprised...

:sarcasm:

"Critics have drawn links between his support for immunity and $68,000 in recent contributions to Sen. Rockefeller's 2008 re-election campaign from AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc., but the senator's aides deny any connection."

And I wonder what he means when he says, he can help Democrats "understand" how "far" the WH is willing to go. That sounds like a threat.

[sabra]

2. weird statement indeed.

[Moochy]

3. Not so veiled threat

from a Rockefeller.

Really these people have our best interests in mind.

No, really.

[roguevalley]

11. you wouldn't think that a Rockefeller could be bought so cheap

[leftofcool]

4. Is this the same Rockefeller

who Obama supporters were throwing our kudos to for supporting their candidate?

[jeanruss]

5. phony Rockefeller

This is the same guy who voted AGAINST re-instating habeas corpus. He is NOT a Democrat. He needs to go. West Virginia needs to replace him with real representation that will help their ailing state.

[Solly Mack]

6. pathetic

"... he can help House Democrats understand how far the White House is willing to go"

[Supersedeas]

7. corporate DINO's showing their true Bushist colors

[fasttense]

8. Can Rockefeller and the Senate give immunity from the Constitution?

I don't care who is doing the spying, the fourth Amendment to the US Constitution states a warrant and probable cause are required.

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

How can Rockefeller or any Congress give immunity from the Constitution? I thought the only way to change the Constitution is to amend it. FISA changed how a warrants for spying could be obtained but it still required a warrant. The bushes and the telecoms are by-passing the fourth amendment all together.

Nice to see how they up hold the Constitution.

[L. Coyote]

10. INDEED! Plus, look at the telecom campaign contributions flow to Rockefeller.

[VP505]

9. What planet does Rockefeller

live on that he thinks good faith is an acceptable reason or excuse for a corporation with access to the best legal advice available to participate in illegal activities? Good grief, if he really believes that he doesn't have any business being a Senator.