Great statement on the ridiculous FISA bill. Off to make a donation…
Posted by Dan Broderick on 06/20 at 03:40 PM
Friday Round-Up
Update: Thanks, Atriots!
- The GOP's ballot blues continue according to a new ABC/WaPo poll showing a generic ballot lead of 53-38 for Congressional Democratic candidates across the country. Chris Cillizza has more on the effect this will have on CT-04:
While the generic ballot is regarded as an imperfect measure, such a wide -- and sustained -- lead for one side suggests the national playing field will be heavily tilted toward Democrats.
That tilt means that Republican lawmakers who managed to skate by in cycles past -- Reps. Chris Shays (Conn.), Dave Reichert (Wash.) and Mark Kirk (Ill.) among others -- will now be in considerable peril.
- Time.com rates CT-04 one of the "top 15 House and Senate races to watch":
Chris Shays, one of the most liberal Republicans in the House and Connecticut's only remaining GOP rep, has held this southwestern Connecticut seat since 1987. His Democratic opponent, Jim Himes, is a former Goldman-Sachs vice-president who now works in an affordable housing non-profit. Himes is counting on increased Democratic turnout and anti-war sentiment to help him, while Shays hopes his experience in close races (and influence on Capitol Hill) will see him through.
- Chris Shays votes for funding the Iraq war through 2009 without timelines and for the FISA "compromise" bill including retroactive immunity. All four CT House Dems voted against both bills. Yet another reason to make it 5 for 5 in November.
Here was Jim's statement yesterday in opposition to the FISA bill that just passed:
"In Congress, I will always stand up for the fundamental American belief that no man, and no corporation, is above the law. As always, this is a matter for the courts to decide-- not for Congress, and absolutely not for the same Bush Administration who may have violated the law in the first place. It is great to see so many American citizens of all backgrounds coming together to stand up for the rule of law and in opposition to retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies who may have illegally spied on American citizens at the Bush Administration's request. I am disappointed that Chris Shays and so many others continue to stand with President Bush by refusing to stand up for this most fundamental of American principles."
Howie Klein has more.
Permalink | Posted by Charles on Friday, June 20, 2008 at 12:14pm
4 Comments
Thanks Dan!
Posted by Charles on 06/20 at 04:35 PM
Jim - thanks for your support of our rights. I was certain someone in our Democratic Congress would step up against the power roller mentality. It takes some effort to stand in the face of it but, be sure, we won’t forget you when you need it.
Posted by Bob Price on 06/20 at 09:58 PM
Great statement on FISA. I sent this to Obama.
If enough of us express our feelings to the Obama campaign perhaps he will reconsider his poor decision. Saying that “everyone should obey the President” is an argument we rejected at Nuremburg and is not something we should enshrine in our laws now.
-----------------
I have asked my credit card company to stop payment on my recent $100 donation. Please cancel this or refund my contribution from your end.
Your position on the FISA “compromise” is unacceptable to me. You should vote against the bill at the very least. Placing a hold on the bill or joining a filibuster would be even better. The false compromise does not prevent future Presidents from ignoring the same language on exclusivity that is already in the current law and providing retroactive immunity is simply wrong. A temporary extension should be passed and this can be worked out next year with a new more Democratic congress and you as President.
I will vote for you but I will not contribute nor work for your election as I had planned due to your position on this issue.
Posted by Mark on 06/21 at 07:20 AM
