Jane Hamsher: Obama’s Statement on Dodd and Filibuster

[understandinglife]

By: Jane Hamsher Monday December 17, 2007 11:32 am

I contacted the Clinton, Edwards and Obama campaigns last night to ask them if they had statements on Dodd's filibuster against retroactive immunity today. So far the only one to get back to me with one is Obama:

"Senator Obama unequivocally opposes giving retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies and has cosponsored Senator Dodd's efforts to remove that provision from the FISA bill. Granting such immunity undermines the constitutional protections Americans trust the Congress to protect. Senator Obama supports a filibuster of this bill, and strongly urges others to do the same. It's not clear whether he can return for the vote, but under the Senate rules, the side trying to end a filibuster must produce 60 votes to cut off debate. Whether he is present for the vote for not, Senator Obama will not be among those voting to end the filibuster."

Both the Edwards and Clinton campaigns said they are working on statements.

It would be wonderful if Obama came off the campaign trail to support Dodd.

Not just wonderful ... it would be exactly what a candidate for President of the United States, currently serving in the US Senate, SHOULD DO.

[blogslut]

1. Thanks for that

:)

[Bluebear]

2. 'It's not clear whether he can return for the vote'

[understandinglife]

3. Greenwald Petition: Tell Harry Reid To Support Chris Dodd's Filibuster!

Please sign it: http://action.firedoglake.com/page/petition/ReidDoddFISA

[mod mom]

6. gladly done. although it should be apparent to all Democrats that this immunity

should never see the light of day! They were complicit in illegal activity!

[understandinglife]

10. "They were complicit in illegal activity!" Precisely.

And, it will be totally inexcusable if Clinton, Biden and Obama don't appear in the Senate Chamber and actively support Senator Dodd's filibuster.

We will never forget.

[mod mom]

12. Did you hear Feingold's floor speech?

Feingold :loveya:

There is a man who makes much sense!

:hi:

[cali]

4. Clinton, Biden and Obama all have megaphones right now due

their candidate status. They could have focused attention on the issue- if they wanted to do so. They didn't.

[thepurpose]

5. Tells me a lot about all 3. Talk the talk but will not walk the walk.

[sandnsea]

11. Some have bigger megaphones than others

Edwards is all over the media today, actually. And McCain and Lieberman.

Hillary sure managed to get her cocaine "apology" all over the news. But not a peep on FISA. Hmmm. Somebody is keeping it out of the news.

[Bitwit1234]

7. Do you think Oprah and his wife would let him.

[DemGa]

8. Bullsh$t, he can show up if he wants to

and put his support where we need it. Same goes for Hil and Edwards.

I'll expect three "no votes" where they are concerned.

Edit: oops.

[Bluebear]

9. It would be awkward for Edwards to show up.

He is no longer a Senator :)