Let me clear about something. When I say that Reid is setting us up on FISA, I do not mean that Reid is doing this because he’s been bought off by the telecommunications corporations or because he is some kind of malevolent a-hole. Here’s the situation:
The Democrats need 67 votes to pass (and get signed into law) a FISA bill that does not have immunity. Simply put, that is never going to happen. It’s not going to happen with Dodd as majority leader or Boxer as majority leader or Bernie Sanders as majority leader.
Knowing this, the Democrats have two choices. One, they can pass a bill with immunity. Two, they can let the law sunset. Reid’s problem is that he doesn’t have (enough) support in his caucus to let the law sunset. He’s received a letter from all the Democratic senators running for president, urging him to use the Judiciary bill as the base bill. But, if he does that, he’ll just use up a bunch of floor time and he’ll never get the thing passed, let alone by a veto-proof margin. What we’re really asking Reid to do is to rally his caucus to support the Judiciary bill, pass it (or get a majority to oppose a filibuster), let the president veto it, and then blame the Republicans for the failure to update FISA.
I encourage you to call Harry Reid at 202-224-3542 and tell his office that you want the vote to be on the Judiciary bill and not as a substitute. But, please call your own senators, because it is they that have to be convinced. If Reid can show them the huge number of anti-immunity bill calls he is receiving, the threats to run ads against him, the threat to primary him in 2010, then he might be able to sway some of his frightened or pro-corporate colleagues. But a direct call to bad senators is just as good.
done, and done. repeatedly.
Talked to a nice lady from Caseys office who says that the Seantor does not yet have a position on “The rule of law and Telcom immunity”
Arlen Specter is not answering his phone on DC, but here in Philly I talked to someone to tell them my position after being on hold for about 3 1/2 minutes, it seems that only the DC office can tell us what his position is on an issue.
I sent Casey an e-mail. I hate talking to people. Do they take phone calls any more seriously than e-mails?
That’s funny: they told me that casey doesn’t support immunity.
tell them you’re on the drinking liberally guy’s mailing list: I always tell them that I send out stuff to 800 or so democrats in Philadelphia every week, and i’ve read them a few of my bulletins regarding casey.
it’d be good if someone called them up and confirm,ed that fact for them, and then gave them a ration of shit about immunity.
Also, remind them that as Chair of the Banking Committee, Dodd can make life Hell for Casey if he doesn’t back Dodd on this. And tell them you’ve talked to Dodd’s office about it.
I got Dodd’s email this morning: from the tone of it, he’s PISSED.
done as well:
salazar’s office says he hasn’t decided and will pass my concerns along,
allard’s office blew me off.
also called dodd and feingold with encouragement, and reid, with vitriol.
lTMF’sA
I called both as well. Salazar’s office had the same response, but John in Allard’s office said he’d pass along my message. Maybe he took pity on my stuffy-nosed voice.
must have sounded like a snooty RATpublican…:{)
lTMF’sA
Hey, is the vote this weekend? Cause that would be extra crappy.