I'm sure many of you are following the debate over a new bill in the Senate that would, among other things, grant retroactive immunity to telecom companies that most likely aided and abetted President Bush's blatantly illegal and unconstitutional surveillance of tens of millions of Americans. Yesterday we heard word that my favorite candidate to replace the "decider" guy, Senator Chris Dodd, was planning to place a "hold" on the bill if it contained that immunity language and that Majority Leader Reid might ignore that hold, something virtually unprecedented.
Are you willing to go to the mat to restore the Constitution?
Just last night, we heard there are plans to disregard Senator Dodd's intention to place a hold on a FISA bill that includes amnesty for telecommunications companies.
That would be a pretty extraordinary move, but Chris Dodd has pledged to stop this horrible bill any way he can.
So if the hold is not honored, he is prepared to go to the Senate floor and filibuster.
Rolling back the Bush Administration assault on the rule of law has been a major focus of Chris Dodd's work in the Senate - and it's also a centerpiece in his campaign for President.
There are FOUR US Senators seeking the Democratic nomination for President. Only ONE of them has shown the guts to stand up say "enough." That's leadership.
Of course, it shouldn't have to be this way. It's dismaying to say the least that Senate Democrats seem so eager to reward lawlessness. That's why Senator Dodd's pledge to "go to the mat" is so inspiring. My good friend Justin Krebs just made this observation over at the Working Assets blog
It would be ironic if in this Senate -- in which the GOP's threat of filibuster has killed major majority-supported bills without them ever actually filibustering -- the first filibuster is mounted by a Democrat.
The other Democrats in the Senate, not just the others running for president, should be following Senator Dodd's lead on this one.
San Francisco: Will you join Sen. Chris Dodd's hold and proposed filibuster on any FISA bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecoms? Thanks for joining us for this chat today, Sen. Biden, and thanks for the leadership you provide the Democratic Party and America.
