Does anyone know Kerry's position on the FISA "compromise" bill?

[beachmom]

There is nothing on his Senate site on it.

[Mass]

1. No, I was wondering the same thing.

I know that, last time, he did not announce his position before the vote, so I wonder if he will this time.

[MBS]

2. I'm also curious-- google search told me that Dodd at least is

against the FISA compromise.

[ProSense]

3. Haven't seen one, but

Here is Dodd's statement and Leahy's.

Kerry voted against cloture previously. I don't expect him to change his position.

[MBS]

4. I sure hope he doesn't.

My fear is that he would compromise to back up Obama. I hope he doesn't do that.

[whometense]

5. I hope that too.

My guess is, his loud silence on the issue indicates that he has not changed his mind, but doesn't want to create a big noisy fuss over it because of Obama's position. I don't imagine he'd want to show up Obama or embarrass him, but he'd pay a heavy price locally if he changed his mind on this particular issue.

[MBS]

6. oh, absolutely. n/t

[Mass]

7. Some news according to a post on dailykos

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2008/6/24/121544/461/81#c81

Kerry hasn't issued a statement yet... (7+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
ben masel, DemocracyLover in NYC, 3goldens, hideinplainsight, mrchumchum, soms, CityLightsLover

An aide in his office just told me that he's opposed to the bill and will definitely vote against it. I told him that wasn't enough, that we need a filibuster - he said that Kerry is talking to other senators and that at this point, all options are on the table.

I helpfully pointed out that I supported Senator Kerry at the state convention in Lowell a couple of weeks ago against his primary challenger, and that his staff had given me about 300 bumper stickers, and I told him that I expect some leadership on this. I'm sure he got the message...

Senator, sometimes, statements stating your position are great. (Hopefully, he does not need to be clued by bloggers in order to take the good position).

[karynnj]

8. His statement in December was incredibly strong

He may not have seen the need for another on the same thing until he votes- It's good this blogger posted this. From that comment he did instruct his office because I doubt they would make a definitive statement.

I just wish that people would learn that there is no such thing as a Mr Smith goes to Washington filibuster - though I would have loved to have seen Seantor Kerry in the Mr Smith role - especially on Alito.

[TayTay]

9. Theoretically speaking

It is quite possible for some Senators to take the lead on some issues while other Senators take the lead on others issues. Sometimes this works out quite nicely. Some Senators get to work on desperately needed legislation on say, housing, while other Senators get to work on FISA and other bills.

Just because a Senator doesn't lead on every piece of legislation before the Senate doesn't mean they don't care. It sometimes means that they trust the work of a colleague and will let them lead on an issue they are especially passionate and knowledgeable on.

This arrangement actually works out quite nicely a lot of the time. Perhaps Senators Dodd and Feingold are leading on FISA. That does not mean that no one is watching them. Others might adapt their position because they trust their work and knowledge on FISA. This trust is often reciprocated when it comes time to vote on issues like war and peace, global warming and, ah, housing legislation.

Theoretically speaking, of course.

[Mass]

10. Between the Housing bill and the editorial on how to get rid of nuclear weapons in the FT,

Kerry did a great job. I am still amazed by the FT editorial.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/6bf6c51e-41fd-11dd-a5e8-0000779fd2ac,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F6bf6c51e-41fd-11dd-a5e8-0000779fd2ac.html&_i_referer=
America looks to a nuclear-free world

By John Kerry

[ProSense]

14. Excellent op-ed. JK has another today

Posted here and the FT piece here.

[MBS]

11. But I'd still like to see a statement from him n/t

[karynnj]

12. Same here - I think we all would

even if not as strong as the December one (in deference to Obama's position).

[TayTay]

13. The FISA vote might be put off until after the July 4th break

The Washington Post is saying that the Housing bill and the Iraq/Afghanistan funding bill might come before it. (And there is no guarantee those bills will pass before the break.) The Medicare Funding bill also has to pass before the deadline on July deadline or a lot of Doctors (and states) are going to be in deep trouble.

Sigh!

[beachmom]

15. Great post by Cenk Uygur and the 15 Senators who voted no

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/the-group-of-15_b_109375.html

Yet, out of the ashes of this disaster I see some hope. Why? Because for so long it was just Feingold who fought the good fight. Then Dodd joined. Somewhere after his 2004 loss, John Kerry got emboldened. He was then met by the old lion, Ted Kennedy. Leahy, Wyden, Boxer and now Bernie Sanders and Sherrod Brown have picked up the fight from time to time. And they were all on the list of 15 who did the right thing here.

And it grows. From a few they became many.

And now we have The Group of 15. The fifteen senators who this time had the courage to stand up to Bush. Some of the people on this list are new to the fight. There are some who should be on the list but aren't (no, I don't mean Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, they have never fought Bush, so their absence is totally unsurprising; yes, I'm looking at you Sheldon Whitehouse). Of course, Senator Kennedy would be on here if he was healthy. But overall, this is a start. This is fifteen United States Senators we can be proud of today:

Joseph Biden, DE
Barbara Boxer, CA
Sherrod Brown, OH
Maria Cantwell, WA
Chris Dodd, CT
Dick Durbin, IL
Russ Feingold, WI
Tom Harkin, IA
John Kerry, MA
Frank Lautenberg, NJ
Patrick Leahy, VT
Robert Menendez, NJ
Bernie Sanders, VT
Chuck Schumer, NY
Ron Wyden, OR

You might say that this is way too little, way too late. I would be more than tempted to agree with you. I understand this trend has been maddeningly slow to materialize. But we're going to need these fighters. Just because Bush leaves doesn't mean the fight is over. The process of getting Senate Democrats a spine is glacial but essential.

And they should also be on notice. If they get a Democratic president to work with, they will be all out of excuses. No more waiting for the next election. These fifteen have to rally the rest and actually get something done!

[karynnj]

16. Wow, between this and the "sounds like us post",

this is almost admit John Kerry is good day. (except for Markos' idiocy)