Barack warned us that we would be disappointed in him...

[kentuck]

More than once, he has stated that he is not a perfect man. The anger and dismay over the FISA vote in the House is understandable. However, it has not yet passed the Senate. We do not know how it will be received or even if it will pass. Barack has said that he will try to hold the telecoms accountable. What more can he do? He is still only one vote. He is not yet the President.

Although he is not perfect, like the rest of us, I think we owe him the benefit of the doubt. It is not right to pre-judge anyone. Let us wait and see what transpires. He is not the perfect candidate but try as I might, I cannot think of anyone that would be more preferable at the moment.

[wtmusic]

1. He is more than one vote.

He is likely the next POTUS, and as such he wields much more power than other senators.

If he were to start turning political screws on other senators there is no limit to what could happen. It's not a risky move from an electability standpoint...I don't believe for a minute that Republican voters think telecom immunity is a critical issue for the country as a whole.

[MaraJade]

5. I want to remind you that we do have a TRIUMVIRATE government

. . .if Mr. Obama starts turning any "screws" now, it could come back to haunt him with a vengeance later.
After all, Congress does have the ability to override his vetoes or sink any laws he might propose.
Hurt people will remember any and all slights and could sink him later. . .

[tomg]

20. You got it. He is the presumptive

nominee. Time to start herding the cats.

[Imagevision]

2. Barack has said that he will try to hold the telecoms accountable.

It's too early to form an opinion about the outcome of Obama's move

[Pastiche423]

3. He could filibuster

But I have no Hope of that happening.

I never got the Obama fever and after his remarks yesterday, I'm feeling quite chilly.

[kentuck]

8. Unless, of course, they get 60 votes to cut off debate...

And then there would be no filibuster. Also, if he tries to pull a power play and loses, the opposition would say that he was weak and had no influence over his own Party... It's not as simple as it sounds.

[Pastiche423]

14. Do you think there are nine Dems that would vote

to cut off debate? (Holy Joe does not count) Are we really that screwed?

[kentuck]

16. This time?

Probably yes. I think it will get over 60 votes for passage.

[az chela]

4. I said this on here last night.

He is only human and doesnt claim to be god like like W

[Bjorn Against]

6. He can filibuster, and if that fails he can vote no.

He may only be one vote, but how he uses that one vote is important.

[tibbiit]

7. as important as telecoms is not giving Bushco immunity too!

I want them brought to justice just as much and fear it will never happen just like nixon, reagan, and bush 1.
tib

[Triana]

9. He knows there are those who idolize him. He is just a man....

...he will make mistakes, bad decisions. He will vote in ways we don't like. He will sit down at meeting tables with those we don't like and compromise with them. We won't like that.

But to me, the compelling question is: Is he better than a George W. named John McCain or any other Repig? And the answer, nonetheless, is a resounding YES.

I think he will still, regardless, bring some fresh ideas to the stinking pool of politics up there and he will help get this country back on track. Maybe not as quickly as we'd like or in the ways we'd like always but he's our last best hope right now.

But he's just a man. And he has a

HUGE

job ahead of him to even partially clean up the sewer George W. has made of this country.

MANAGE your expectations, is all I'm sayin.

[robinlynne]

10. Meanwhile a group of us here in Los Angles are taking a letter to Senator Feinstein's office on MOnd

MOnday, from 4 different democratic groups. What are each of you doing to stop your Senators from voting yes on FISA??????????
We plan to spend the afternoon in her office and to mention the censure Feinstein motion which almost passed in last year's party convention, which we will certainly bring up again if she votes for "immunity". I think immunity is a terrible thing to call it. It is, in reality, changing the law to permit several felonies which were committed 7 years ago.

San Francisco Dems? 3 Pm in Feinstein's office?

[readmoreoften]

11. Wow. I didn't know Dennis Kucinich was perfect. I thought he just wasn't a coward or a crook.

I don't expect perfection. I want someone who stands for something even if I disagree with him/her every now and then. I don't want someone who runs their affairs through marketing data or political polls.

[bridgit]

12. He also said the engagement of the people toward an agenda of change is key...

that without it...change would not occur. There are too many rationales in place for the preemptive happenstance of failure. Failure is not an option. We need leaders in place that will bring skill-sets to the table that will effect these matters not merely to a state of 'Que Sera, Whatever will be' acquiescence, but balance and resolution for the benefit of we the people

[RNdaSilva]

13. Agree...

and it's still to early to prejudge.

[BlooInBloo]

15. All of this melodrama really calls for just one thing....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZkllM8znx4

[OwnedByFerrets]

17. As important as the telecoms immunity.....

is the ability it gives Monkeyboy to attack Iran WITHOUT congressional approval. Hell, its probably MORE important. If we attack Iran, millions will die.
Barack MUST, MUST, MUST do everything in his power to stop this bill from passing. Be the leader we know you can be sir and stop this bill.
Please call his office and let him know how you feel. I called Friday afternoon and they were very nice.

link to the Iran thing:
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=174804

www.wearableartnow.com

[deacon]

18. If he wants to be the "change" candidate, now's the time to prove it. Let's see what happens. n/t

[windoe]

19. Obama is surrounded by sharks

I can't imagine what it looks like on the inside. Along with Dennis Kucinich and the others fighting corruption need to have our backup. We have to hope for the best, but nothing is wrong with preparing for the worst. These are perilous times.

[Eric J in MN]

21. For people who want Obama to oppose the FISA bill: contact his campaign

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/06/22/moveon-to-obama-keep-your-word-filibuster-telecom-immunity/

Obama’s presidential campaign: [phone]

[readmoreoften]

22. Yeah, but isn't it a shame that he can't just fucking do the non-fascist thing on his own?

Just sayin.

[Eric J in MN]

23. In October 2007, Obama issued a strong statement...

..against the FISA bill of the time.
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2007/10/obama_comes_out_against_telecom_immunity_deal.php

“I have consistently opposed this Administration's efforts to use debates about our national security to expand its own power, whether that was on the Iraq war, or on its power grab to curb our civil liberties through domestic surveillance programs. It is time to restore oversight and accountability in the FISA program, and this proposal -- with an unprecedented grant of retroactive immunity -- is not the place to start.”

- Barack Obama, October 18, 2007


Which makes his praise of the current FISA bill on Friday surprising.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201032.php

[readmoreoften]

24. I know. My biggest support for him lies in his take on FISA and Gitmo.

I'd just be nice if he could stick to his word and not break the law without needing to check the pulse of the voters. But I suppose I ask too much.

[orleans]

25. yes, it would be nice.

and maybe he will do the right thing.