Obama: I'll Fight To Strip Telecom Immunity From FISA

[kpete]

June 21, 2008, 12:20 PM
Obama: I'll Fight To Strip Telecom Immunity From FISA

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., issued a statement in support of the House's update of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, but said he would try to strip a provision granting immunity to telecommunication companies when the bill comes to a vote in the Senate next week.

Obama said there is "little doubt" that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, "has abused authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders."

"Given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as president, I will carefully monitor the program.

"The bill does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses."

more at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/06/21/politics/horserace/entry4200105.shtml

[Donnachaidh]

1. the word *TRY* is NOT the same as *FIGHT*

Please correct the thread name. It's misleading.

[Adelante]

3. It's the title of the article nt

[saracat]

2. He "issued a statement in support of the act". Enough said.

[TahitiNut]

8. I see you're being "careful." (Snarky, but "careful.") Yippee.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=334&topic_id=12050&mesg_id=12050

:rofl: :rofl:

[saracat]

13. I am not snarky but factual and yes indeed, It is sometimes necessary to

remind folks of DU "rules". And there is a need to be both "careful" and "respectful" but many do not adhere to those precepts.

[TahitiNut]

16. Actually, there's nothing factual about "Enough said." That's called an OPINION.

But you should know that, right? :eyes:

[saracat]

18. But his statement is factual. It is what he said.

[barbtries]

4. not good enough, barack

defeat the bill if that clause remains. our constitution has been trashed enough already. i have a right to privacy and you have a responsibility to protect that right.

[eleny]

5. He either wants to clean up Dodge or he doesn't

I'll wait to see what happens on the floor of the Senate and how he votes. But he's not supposed to be in their debt now that he has us financing his campaign.

[Donnachaidh]

6. he wants to LOOK as if he's cleaning up Dodge

He'll do a photo-op with the mop. :eyes:

[Owl]

17. Jeez.....

[eleny]

20. I wouldn't go that far

[SammyWinstonJack]

22. I would. nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. !

:evilgrin: :thumbsup:

[natrat]

7. sadly this is the tone and substance i expected, whatever

[tkmorris]

9. Don't try. DO it.

You're the nominee, and in a contest that everyone fully expects you to win. You are the 900 lb. gorilla right now, so act like it. Tell Reid to get his ass in line, and every other "Democrat" to do so as well, or this WILL be remembered next January.

[Raksha]

10. Don't get the two statements mixed up.

It was that marshmallow Harry Reid who said he'd "try" to remove the retroactive immunity provision but didn't expect to succeed. Obama said he'd "work" to remove it. That still is isn't good enough. He'd better not just "work" to remove it but fight like he's never fought before.

This is a defining moment in his campaign, and his supporters are watching.

[The_Casual_Observer]

11. He'll hope it away.

[populistdriven]

12. McCain didn't love America, until he was tortured into it. There are no atheists in foxholes either

Its the general election stupid, lets save these battles for after he is in the WH

[saracat]

19. Its the GE. We deserve to know where our candidate stands and we deserve to express our opinion.

The presumptive nominee is still a Senator and he has a vote and we have the right to influence it. And to express dissatisfaction if he doesn't represent the people!

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. Always waiting.............! nt.

[wtmusic]

14. Here is his first real test, IMO.

No one doubted he would move center, once he got the nom. I'm surprised he even is willing to make this statement.

[deacon]

15. Being the "change" candidate comes with the burden of prooving it.

He must stay away from the status quo or he will end up looking like a fool.

This is not about telecom immunity. It's about bush immunity, it's about 'make me innocent.'

[kentuck]

24. I really don't see what else he can do?

He can work to strip the immunity clause from the bill. If he fails, he could vote against it. It might carry some political damage with it. His opponents may use it to paint him as soft on terrorism. That is a decision he will have to make.