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June 26, 2008
Obama and Telecom Immunity
I'm not leaning on the panic button yet, but I truly hope that there's some grand strategy behind the Senator's remarks yesterday about telecom immunity.
"The bill has changed. So I don't think the security threats have changed, I think the security threats are similar. My view on FISA has always been that the issue of the phone companies per se is not one that overrides the security interests of the American people."
I don't know that this is confirmation of a 'yea' vote. He could still wiggle out of this. But here's my issue at this point -- and as someone who has enthusiastically and very publicly endorsed the Senator... I strongly object to his repeated use of the words "threats".
Now I'm fully aware of why he has to talk like this. Naturally, it's because a ridiculous number of Americans believe that he's not just weak on terrorism -- but that he actually IS a terrorist. And I understand that he needs a huge mandate in November in order to effectively roll back the crimes of the Bush years, and that includes winning over independents and Republicans who might be worried about the Senator's anti-terror qualifications.
If his FISA posture helps him more effectively win a mandate to roll back the Bush atrocities, well then, maybe that's the silver lining.
UPDATE: This might be the grand strategy: the Obama campaign is aiming to win down-ballot races in red congressional districts. In order to do achieve this, he needs to play more to the center on terrorism. I wish that wasn't the case, but if it helps to secure stronger state- and federal level numbers, I think we can deal for the time being. Remember that the GOP's most dangerous stronghold are some of these down-ballot offices. All the way down to school boards and municipal government offices. More from Benen at C&L.
UPDATE THE SECOND: To clarify the first UPDATE, I don't believe that retroactive immunity or warrantless wiretaps are "centrist" positions. In fact, they're right-wing positions. But when combined with Senator Obama's more liberal positions, it manages to pull him more to the center, which was my point. Also, to be clear, I hate this bill and everything about it. I'm just giving the Senator some latitude here -- so I'm holstering my dissatisfaction until this current chapter plays out.
Posted By Bob Cesca | June 26, 2008 08:46 AM | DIGG ME!
Comments
What I, a non pundit celebrity type, fail to grasp, is why Obama can't be gung ho for the FISA piece of the bill without the completely unjustifiable protections for telecoms. He could still do the "terrarists is comin' ta git us" song and dance while holding the corporations accountable for their behavior. Hell, from what I understand, as cracked as most of the country is vis a vis "OMG TERROR", there's no great love for corporations.
I wish there were some way to get someone to ask Obama point blank why the telecoms deserve protection from the law. To quote Blondie: Dreamin' is free.
Posted by: Travis Disaster ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.bobcesca.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 26, 2008 09:11 AM
WTF are we supposed to make of this?
Clinton (D-NY), Not Voting
McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
Obama (D-IL), Not Voting
Is there some next stage for this bill, or did all 3 of these bastards skate??
Posted by: LiveFreeOrDie08 at June 26, 2008 10:08 AM
The more he talks about it, the more I do think this is a "Sista Souljah" moment- refusing to get nuanced about this the way that Travis suggests, and dismissing the parts of his base to whom this is obviously important, are starting to come off as an attempt to show that he's not beholden to me and you and MoveOn.org. I'm not really sure what the alternatives are; does he honestly believes that the Administration/telecom actions were constitutional (if so, why won't he just say so?), or is he afraid of making an enemy of the telecoms/already in their pocket? Is there another option?
--d
Posted by: dansolomon at June 26, 2008 10:27 AM
MoveOn isn't as lefty as you'd think- they generally refuse to go after shitty democrats.
Posted by: Travis Disaster at June 26, 2008 10:29 AM
Well, they sent a petition to Obama demanding that he filibuster this FISA bill last week.
--d
Posted by: dansolomon at June 26, 2008 10:42 AM
Yeah, perhaps there's some Grand Strategy... but I still need Senator Obama to explain to me:
How is retroactive immunity for telecoms who have violated the law protecting me from terrorists?
Posted by: AlaskanCelt at June 26, 2008 11:24 AM
C&L...citing Ben Smith...yikes.
Days like this I really wish the blue states could just secede.
Posted by: Travis Disaster at June 26, 2008 12:01 PM
Travis - seems like lots of folks in New England are amenable to the idea. We've been coming up with names for our new country. So far, "New England" seems to be the favorite. :)
Posted by: ceu at June 26, 2008 01:12 PM
As a liberaltarian Joe Public voter, I'm not particularly happy about the FISA bill and I don't understand what's going on with Obama, Clinton or McCain in regard to it.
But rather than strain my brain, my position is fairly simple. I've already decided that Obama is a damn smart guy and his message is good. His missteps in the primaries have been few. So I'm putting trust and hope into him and I'm prepared to give him a chance and cut him enough slack to last about 4 years, starting now.
The down side is that, as we move into the general election and he starts looking more and more like an ordinary politician, where I was once entirely enthusiastic and willing to volunteer and donate money to his campaign, those high spirits are quickly waning.
Posted by: roberto at June 26, 2008 03:44 PM
roberto - Don't get me wrong, Obama is still the best thing we've seen in a long time, and he still has my vote. I'm just a bit disappointed.
If I, an average American, can understand that retroactive immunity for telecoms has nothing to do with national security, so does Obama.
He needs to go back to talking to us like we were adults, and not lapse into poltical "trust me" mode.
Posted by: AlaskanCelt at June 26, 2008 03:51 PM
I have really been struggling with this as well. It's difficult for me. But, I don't think it's primarily politics. Obama has a long track record of finding reasonable, practical solutions to difficult problems that move us in the right direction. I hope he doesn't make a fool of me. I keep sending him money every month because I think he's different and then he pulls shit like this.
Posted by: natashacrk at June 26, 2008 08:54 PM
FISA vote is postponed until after the 4th of July, per The Hill.
Posted by: ceu at June 26, 2008 09:27 PM
Livefree - that was the vote on cloture, not the vote on the bill itself. You still have time to pressure your senators.
Posted by: ceu at June 26, 2008 09:29 PM
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