Obama

MoveOn to Obama: Keep Your Word, Filibuster Telecom Immunity

Posted by Damianmann from Crooks and Liars

I know many readers were upset with Obama's response to the newly passed Hoyer/FISA bill that granted the Telecoms retroactive immunity. If he brings up an amendment to strip the immunity provision in the Senate next week and it fails-then-what's the point, right? Greg Sargent said "Why Obama's Support For FISA...

Read comments (4)

Obama Opens Up 15-Point Lead

Posted by Jeff from newsweek.com

With numbers consistently showing rock-bottom approval ratings for President Bush and a large majority of Americans unhappy with the country's direction, the opposing-party candidate should, in the normal course, have attracted more disaffected voters. Now it looks as if Obama is doing just that. A new NEWSWEEK Poll shows that he has a substantial double-digit lead, 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters nationwide.

Read comments (3)

Obama's Statement on FISA

Posted by Jeff from Daily Kos

Via e-mail.

"Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. There is also little doubt that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, has abused that authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders.

"That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past.

"After months of negotiation, the House today passed a compromise that, while far from perfect, is a marked improvement over last year's Protect America Act.

"Under this compromise legislation, an important tool in the fight against terrorism will continue, but the President's illegal program of warrantless surveillance will be over. It restores FISA and existing criminal wiretap statutes as the exclusive means to conduct surveillance – making it clear that the President cannot circumvent the law and disregard the civil liberties of the American people. It also firmly re-establishes basic judicial oversight over all domestic surveillance in the future. It 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. But this compromise guarantees a thorough review by the Inspectors General of our national security agencies to determine what took place in the past, and ensures that there will be accountability going forward. By demanding oversight and accountability, a grassroots movement of Americans has helped yield a bill that is far better than the Protect America Act.

"It is not all that I would want. But 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, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives – and the liberty – of the American people."

In an interview today on Bloomberg's "Political Capital with Al Hunt" (no  link yet), Sen. Reid said he would attempt to remove the amnesty provision in the bill.

Reid said the Senate may try to remove a provision from the bill that shields telephone companies from privacy lawsuits. Holding a separate vote on that issue next week may provide political cover for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Even though the attempt may fail, Reid said the vote would allow those opposed to the liability protection to "express their views."

"I'm going to try real hard to have a separate vote on immunity," Reid said in an interview to be aired this weekend on Bloomberg Television's "Political Capital with Al Hunt."

"Probably we can't take that out of the bill, but I'm going to try."

That effort should be helped by Obama's opposition to the provision. His support of the remainder of the bill is disappointing, but that would be in large part offset if he can help kill immunity.

Post a comment

No limit on Obama election spend

Posted by Jeff from Guardian UK

Democratic candidate shuns $80m of public funding to avoid spending restrictions

Read comments (1)

McCain says wants 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 - Reuters

Posted by Jeff from News.google

AlaskaReport

McCain says wants 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030
Reuters - 1 hour ago
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., June 18 (Reuters) - Republican John McCain would put the United States on course to build 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 if elected president, the Arizona senator said on Wednesday.
Analysis: McCain challenges Obama on terrorism Newsweek
McCain calls for building 45 new nuclear reactors The Associated Press
FOXNews - Voice of America - Washington Post - Boston Globe
all 805 news articles

Post a comment

McCain energy bombshell: More oil + dirty coal. That’s Bush-li

Posted by dsnodgrass from Climateprogress

From Climate Progress, John McCain actually criticizes Obama for failing to "support more traditional use of coal..."

Post a comment

Fox Obama Rumored to Have Fathered Two Black Children

Posted by Jeff

Hilarious comic from the NYT Week in Review today. My friend Jon was on the ball retorting that this is similar to earlier rumors started by Karl Rove in South Caroline that John McCain had fathered a black child.

Post a comment