The FISA fight is over. We lost:

The Real FISA Vote Passes 80 to 15 With the Presidential Nominees Passing. Ian Welsh, at Firedoglake, writes: The FISA Cloture vote just passed. The Senate will now consider the motion to proceed with the bill, then they'll head to the bill itself (corrected procedural details, h/t and thanks to CBolt). Various motions will be put forward to strip immunity, odds are they will fail. Then a number of the 80 who voted to restrict debate will vote against FISA so they can say they were against the bill. However this was the real vote, and the rest is almost certainly nothing but kabuki for the rubes.

Obama didn't vote. Clinton was absent too. Schumer voted the right way (i.e., against cloture), but it was a safe vote for him since only 14 other senators joined him. It's all fucking political kabuki. As Welsh notes, some of the 80 who voted to limit debate will peel off to vote against the bill. But it won't be enough. Because the outcome was pre-determined. As for Obama, Welsh gives us his response: "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." Really? So the promise to filibuster telecom immunity the last time the bill was up was what, Senator Obama? I guess winning really is everything.

Comments

[JDM]

Fuck 'em, piss on 'em.

[DCup]

Another disappointment. Could it be that he's betting the Republicans will start a movement to revoke all those laws if a Dem wins the White House?

The irony is, while I read this, an Obama campaign ad ran on a local Georgia television station. He may beat McCain at that Red State/Blue State game, but the price is going to be very, very high.

[gmb]

JDM: I don't want to get that close to them, but I'd pay some drunk frat boy to piss a river.
DCup: Obama's statement disturbs me. The telecom immunity provision doesn't trump security? He's going with the "we have to be afraid" bullshit? Why can't we have both? The FISA law is fine. It doesn't have to be updated. This is about giving the telecoms, the white house and a few prominent democrats cover. Period. And as a former constitutional law professor, he knows better. At this point, I'm afraid that we lose whoever wins in November. Assholes. GMB

[tengrain]

Gina -

I hate saying it (no, really I do), but are you really surprised? The DNC will always sell us out. Watch gonna do? Vote GOP?

Watch Bullworth again. It is as true today as it was when it first came out.

Regards,

Tengrain

[distributorcap]

this is no surprise
the bill will pass and some people will say i voted against it

america is lost as a nation of laws........
we have jumped the shark

[Morse]

MAPLight has a list of the 94 House Dems who flipped on FISA after taking telecom PAC money. It's interesting to note who got rich off this bill.

[jenn]

I tried to post before, but my message didn't make it on. I'm sure Verizon is to blame. Morse, do you have a link to that Maplight list? So basically what I said before is that, though this is a very dark time, I still believe that many people have woken up and we won't fall asleep like I and many others did during the Clinton years thanks to sites like this and progressive radio and tv. I also mentioned that this bill was introduced when it's too late in the primary season to throw these bills out of office.

[jenn]

um, I meant to say "...to throw these bums out of office."

[FranIAm]

Ten is onto something with that Bullworth comment.

You maybe be Pissed in NYC, I am now Pissed in Albany.

This sucks.

[Morse]

Jenn, here i the link.

http://www.maplight.org/FISA_June08

[Jenn]

Thanks Morse. Really interesting link that should be forwarded far and wide...including to all those on the list.

[gmb]

Tengrain: I'm not surprised, but I guess I thought that we kept those bastards in check the first two times we fought back. They won't stop even though there is no obvious benefit for the democrats (less obvious benefits, yes), the republicans are happier than pigs in shit and Americans who are paying attention are pissed. And I have no intention of voting GOP, but I will not vote for someone unless they earn my vote. And no goddamned money either.
DCap: Sadly, you are right. Truth be told, we jumped the shark a while ago.
Morse: Thanks for mentioning that. But those assholes didn't get rich, I understand that they got slightly under $5k each to flip. Christ, the netroots could easily raise enough to buy them off at $6k each overnight. They aren't just whores, they are cheap whores.
Jenn: There are other options. I think sacrificing one or two this November would be worth it. The dems will cement their lead and, in fact, they won three seats in special elections that "they should not have." So why not target one or two for removal in November?
Fran: Join the club. Here's some lemonade (because I'm buried under a world of lemons).
Morse and Jenn: I think it needs to be blogged. Thanks. GMB

[fairlane]

I'm throwing my hat into the ring (Is that correct, is it, Ring?) Whatever.

I promise to leave people the fuck alone, and to spend most of my time chasing skirts, and shooting police cars with my potato gun.

[gmb]

Fairlane: I would vote for you in a heartbeat and go door to door to get you into the white house. Mean that. GMB

[fairlane]

I hope you'd be willing to campaign door to door considering you're my choice for VP.

[gmb]

fairlane: Only if you agree that I can call folks who won't take our literature stupid motherfuckers. That's my line in the sand. GMB

[fairlane]

That's perfect. I was going to call the people who did take our literature, Stupid Mother Fuckers.

Looks like we have all our bases covered.

[gmb]

Smells like a dream team, no, Fairlane?