MyDD :: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill

TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill

by Jonathan Singer, Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 02:46:30 PM EST

Earlier today Big Tent Democrat took to the front page of this site to ask Senator Chris Dodd to put a hold on legislation that would, among other things, extend the President's eavesdropping powers and grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications conglomerates that, apparently even before 9/11, allowed the Bush administration to spy on Americans without court order. Now, according to TPM's Greg Sargent, Dodd is obliging.

Senator Chris Dodd plans to put a hold on the Senate FISA renewal bill because it reportedly grants retroactive immunity to telephone companies for any role they played in the Bush administration's warrantless eavesdropping program, Election Central has learned.

Dodd will send a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this afternoon informing him of his decision. Dodd also plans to put up a page today at his campaign Web site where opponents of the immunity provision can register their opposition.

"Later today Senator Dodd will be sending a letter to Majority Leader Reid informing him that he plans to put a `hold' on a bill that would provide for retroactive amnesty for telecom giants that were complicit in the Bush Administration's assault on the United States Constitution," Dodd spokesman Hari Sevugan told Election Central. "Senator Dodd said that he would do what he could do to stop this bill, and with this announcement he has again shown that he delivers results."

By doing this, Dodd can effectively hold up the telecom immunity bill, because bills are supposed to have unanimous consent in the Senate before going forward. One Senator can make it very difficult to bring a bill to the floor by objecting to allowing it to go to a vote.

That's what we call leadership, folks. It's one of the main reasons why I, like Markos, voted for Dodd in the last Daily Kos strawpoll (as did 7 percent of respondents). This is really great stuff. Now it's time for Dodd's colleagues, both those running for President and those not, to join him in this courageous act.

Update [2007-10-18 14:55:37 by Todd Beeton]: You can register your support for Dodd's hold of this bill at his website HERE.

Tags: Chris Dodd, MyDD, TPM, FISA (all tags)

Permalink :: 25 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (2.00 / 1)

I agree. This is REAL leadership. Chris Dodd is standing up for American principles and American citizens. He ROCKS!

If it's good enough for Joey it's good enough for Hillary! Like two peas in a pod.

by Hillary Lieberman on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 02:51:10 PM EST

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (2.00 / 1)

Dodd just got my vote. See, that was easy. Just show some leadership.

by kerri on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 02:52:47 PM EST

Awesome (2.00 / 2)

Edwards/Dodd in 08

by DrFrankLives on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 02:54:01 PM EST

no, we need Dodd in the Senate (none / 0)

also, we would lose his seat to the Republicans if he became VP.

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:55:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Awesome (none / 0)

Dodd may have just passed Edwards in Iowa with this move. If not he gained quite a few points and is breathing down his neck. Same for Obama - Dodd just gained on him too.

I think this just gave Clinton more of a lead because to follow the polls the second three, Edwards, Obama, and Dodd are competing for the same votes - and they aren't Clinton's. So every vote that Dodd can take for the other two is a win for Clinton.

by talex26 on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:56:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Seems like holds... (none / 0)

are becoming popular for Dem Presidential candidates. Nice to see.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/16 /111940/27

by rashomon on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 02:54:15 PM EST

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Thanks rashomon, I guess I should be saying ObamaDodd or DoddObama. I can live with both quite nicely.

by kerri on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:00:01 PM EST

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Maybe BTD should be on the Democratic ticket.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:13:24 PM EST

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Greenwald was way out front of any anyone on this today. Check out his time stamp compared to the multitude of the others who wrote about the same issue.

If you want to see what others are going to be writing about on a given day then get up early and read Greenwald.

by talex26 on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:59:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Greenwald is always a leader.

So happens, because today was my day to do a Dodd post, I thought this one up all by my lonesome. And Glenn's update h/t's Atrios' link to my post.

But who gives a shit really? No need for this pettiness.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 04:17:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

My post was intended as a kudos. Greenwald, of course, always does great work.

I realize no one, particularly supporters, want to look past the context of the current presidential campaign, but I wonder if we're looking at a battle for the Majority Leader spot in the next Congress. Dodd has certainly laid claim to the title of netroots champion with his courageous stances.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 04:23:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

We could stand for new leadership in both chambers. I'm not saying that either have done such a terrible parliamentary job but neither is a good communicator to the public. If we are take the party to the next level we need some communicators in the lead.

by talex26 on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 04:38:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

I took it as such.

I did not think the "who thought of it first" mentality that talex was demonstrating was particularly helpful.

Frankly, more than Greenwald or me or you, on the blogs, atrios and Kos taking up the cause is what mettered most.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 04:41:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Are you guys haoppy now?

by spirowasright on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:21:13 PM EST

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Oh please, everyone knows Dodd is a shill for Hillary to improve her liberal credibility. The second his pathetic campaign collapses--of course he's going to endorse her. He's the second coming of Vilsack.

by True Centrist on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 03:28:35 PM EST

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Heh.

apoken like a true centrist?

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 04:12:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

A true Centrist hates panderers. Hillary Clinton and her buddy Dodd are just that.

When Dodd first entered he was written off as a Hillary ally, like Vilsack. To buck that trend he has taken the lead in the Senate as the most progressive candidate. It's ironic how literally no netroots activists called for his candidacy beforehand, unlike fellow Senate progressive and actual leader Russ Feingold, yet once he puts his liberal pander on overdrive--he's now the darkhorse for liberalism. This same gullibility has led to the utterly non-existant distrust of Edwards' convenient campaign conversions.

For the record, I was a HUGE proponent of Warner's candidacy, and to this day I am 100% convinced that a Warner/Richardson ticket would've won at least 40 states- esp if Rudy was the nom.

by True Centrist on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 05:44:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

"centrism" as a creed IS PANDERING.

Ridiculous comment.

by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 11:16:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: TPM: Dodd to Put Hold on FISA Bill (none / 0)

Centrism is not pandering, sometimes consensus building trumps stubborness. And most Americans have that independent streak in them at the same time they clamor for solutions not partisan politics. I am a proud Democrat, but like my country my party is not always right.

by True Centrist on Fri Oct 19, 2007 at 12:43:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]