Olbermann Special Comment: Obama's Second Chance On FISA

In a "Special Comment" on Countdown WIth Keith Olbermann tonight, the MSNBC host told his audience that Barack Obama has been presented with a second chance to make a first impression in an upcoming vote on the FISA bill:

And he damned well better take it. The Senate vote on this tortured and reckless piece of legislation has now been postponed until after the 4th of July break. The Democrats, completing their FISA experience, a collective impression of Homer Simpson falling off a cliff and hitting every bramble on the way down, didn't exactly plan this fortuitous delay.

Watch the entire Special Comment below:

Comments

[dr4Will]

not Oder-Mann too--all the Liberals are finding out you have a conservative in liberal clothes--hail King of the Flip Flop, Obama

[soundfury]

You don't know KO very well, do you? Not only that, you do not seem intelligent enough to understand what he's doing in this piece. Let me enlighten you:

When I read some of the comments here, it's no wonder GWB got elected to a second term. I think KO needs to slow down and speak more to the masses and less to political intellectuals and junkies. What he is saying is: that the right has been brilliant in creating the mindset of fear. Thus every decision in Congress that stirs that mindset trumps every other critical issue such as the economy, oil prices, health care etc. It is a no win situation that GWB set up.

Fear is a primal emotion. It's very hard to reason with it. This is what O is up against. He has to break through this mindset of fear. KO exposed all the no-win possibilities. He’s not telling him to vote against FISA. He’s speaking to all those supporters of O who didn’t know that the Bill did not contain criminal immunity. Thus he’s telling O supporters: “Don’t worry if he votes for it, because he can still use the loophole to go after the Administration and anyone who broke privacy laws unjustifiably. This Bill does not immunity from criminal charges.”

He is exposing this Bill as the perfect Republican trap that O cannot win with, except that there is a loophole he can use against them later.

[ebanks84]

I am totally impressed that somebody speaks the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Sometimes, I feel alone out there with the "sleepers".

[StillIRise]

Thank you for putting Keith's comments and the FISA bill in the proper perspective. The FISA bill was brought to the floor by a REPUBLICAN, Rep. Kyl. They were trying to set Senator Obama up, and Senator Obama was astute enough to understand what they were doing, and he did not fall for it. I too have been trying to make this point since I began reading the reaction from some of his supporters. This bill has not passed. The vote was to bring the bill to the floor for debate. We do need FISA, but not in the way Bush has used it. If and when the bill passes, it will not contain criminal immunity, as you've said. Senator Obama knows exactly what he's doing, and WHEN HE IS ELECTED, we too will know that our trust in him has not been misplaced!

[DFreedomMan]

Hey Soundfury.­.. you're a pantywaste. Start watching O'Reilly.

[ObamAtomic]

To all of you to that not like Keith Olbermann ,turn to *Foxie*with Hannity calamity ,Rushie the Clown
and O'really will do live, names calling,all of you sound like whoring on distress,there was a *Marrano*
today with Andrea Mitchel,veep for McC sin, same demeanor,like kevin kames(James)

[ebanks84]

Is that supposed to make some sence or what?

[ObamAtomic]

Please, before your question someone *Senses*learn to spell and do not made a *FOOL* of yourself,go ride you mule,please bring your*Robe*.

[eden4barack08]

HUH???

[bmsrosmuc]

sorry, don't understand you?

[ObamAtomic]

What part you do not understand?,I understand my self very well,,,,,
I will very clear next time.I was telling the Republican the choices!

[GeorgeKaplan]

Only in your world are those the only choices. With newspapers, magazines and the internet plus many other TV shows to watch and radio it would seem like you have more choices than you think you have for information.

[ObamAtomic]

I was telling the Republican the choices,do not be *anually* tight,plea­se,,,Humor­!

[soundfury]

You have one thing going for you. You're an O supporter. Just tout that. KO is a hell of alot more intelligent than you. So don't knock him, because he is trying to protect O in this firestorm, which is alot more than I can say for you. Just be happy you're with the right candidate and keep it at that, because you tend to alienate some Obama supporters with your statements. There is a rude bully in you, that you should learn to keep in check.

[soundfury]

Stop alienating people who are not Republicans. You can be a rude bully, you know. KO is a lot more intelligent than you think, but you wouldn't recognize intelligence if it hit you on the head. KO is very much an O supporter and is helping him ride this FISA firestorm, but of course, you can't see the forest for the trees.

[ObamAtomic]

Do you call for the resignation of Bush?George Kaplan.
Resignation for sex? or for violation of the Constitution?
Do not feel to proud empty suit!

[UltraClassic]

Obama will not hammer the telecoms for granting government requests to spy on terror suspects. I don't care what you liberals and leftis democrats say, Obama knows that the GOP would take this and tie it around his neck. Obama is just being a politico like all the others.

[soundfury]

When Obama becomes President, the GOP will be a weak minority in Congress, we'll see who ties what around whose neck? I don't like your figure of speech. Let me put it this way: the rule of law will be re-established and the wheels of justice grind slowly but they grind fine. The telecoms will not be the ones charged with the crimes and misdemeanours but some of your GOP friends should worry about what they did or failed to do.

[ObamAtomic]

The telecoms should be pursue on the civil courts,to set a precedent .Spy
GOP friends on the criminal courts to set a precedent too, Constitution.
Karl Rove,Harriet Mayers,Alb­erto(Gonzo­)Gonzalez and others.

[twiggy2]

this is crazy. you can't win either way it goes. political policies, red tape, party's trying to out do each other, or keep each other from succeding in making the right call. come on this system and it's political games is really a sham. one part of a bill is needeed the other is trash. are their any people with sense governing this country, or are they just wasting our time and money?
all the political jargon for what ? what does it actually accomplish? we need fresh voices and fresh faces and innovators who are not afraid to stand up to the staus quo' . come on barak continue being the man for change this country needs. your integrity and character is what is needed more than anything else at this point . we need some truth tellers to combat the liars. and i for one don't think you need hill or bill for anything, they will only muddy the waters that have been very clean so far. get rid of the clintons, people who are voting for you will vote for you based on your character, and policies to make a difference in politics and the dynamics by which we are governed.

[leftoflennon]

Keith, I like you...

but shut ur pie hole on this!

Do NOT threaten Obama!

[lady49]

I'm with you on this one leftoflenn­on....
I don't mind Keith's special comments on FISA because that's Keith. Very passionate about justice.
However, he missed the boat on this one. Senator Obama said last week that the "framework for the courts to prevail are soundly laid out in this bill. Senator Obama ALREADY NOTED that the path for criminal prosecution of any wrong doing is STILL AVAILABLE.
Obama stated that if elected president, HE WOULD PURSUE THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION PATH set out by this bill if there were any evidence of wrong doing.
Keith should realx and take a deep breath on this one.
ALSO: NOT ONCE NOT ONCE! Did KEITH suggest to Senator Clinton or anyone else that he had comments for ... that they "HAD DAMNED WELL" do anything. I said it to KEITH in an email and I will say it here. Don't you DARE TRY TO THREATEN SENATOR OBAMA, KEITH....Y­ou may suggest your opinion, but you MAY NOT THREATEN HIM. WHERE ARE YOUR "SIRS" AND MADAME THAT YOU DISH OUT IN YOUR OTHER COMMENTS???
YOU NEED TO BACK OFF ABIT KEITH! CALM DOWN< SENATOR OBAMA KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING!HE HASN"T CHANGED POSITIONS< YOU JUST NEED TO LISTEN A BIT CLOSER!

[soundfury]

I think you should shut your pie hole. He's doing him a favor and you should listen and try to understand before you show disrespect.

[puffhost]

Hey pal this is America, deal with it.

[Alethea]

I like Obama too.

But this is America. Keith can and should say whatever he wants.

Don't you wish someone had stuck it to GWB in the run up to the war? I sure as hell do.

The moral: yes-man-ism helps no one.

[Marrob]

You ObamaLovers got a thrill out of Olberman when he was bashing Hillary. Not he get after Obama and you soft candy asses are crying. This is why democrat lose, soft, real f****** soft.

[DFreedomMan]

You ROCK, Marrob! Unlike most of the bloggers here, you ain't no pantywaste!

[Witchitalineman]

I think Keith is right on! I will of course vote for Obama but lately he seems to be getting a little wishy washy. I think his campaign staff may be diluting his message of change a little too much.

[Donnat]

I'm not wild about the report that Obama would allow churches and similar non-profits access to federal funds to provide certain services to the poor. On the other hand, if it funded Muslim mosques as well as Christian churches I wouldn't mind because it would cause the FOX spin masters' heads to explode and I could watch in HD.

[americanalien]

Keith Olbermann is a National Hero. His Special Comments should be preserved in the Smithsonian. He is an instrumental part of our Democracy. I mean who else could have protected us from Bush&Co. I say give the man his honor where it is due.

[FirstShirt]

"His Special Comments should be preserved in the Smithsonia­n."

They are. They are hanging on the walls in the men's room.

[cariintexas]

Who told you that, Wide Stance

[DFreedomMan]

I love KO so much, I weep constantly! He has AT LEAST one quarter the talent of O'Reilly!!

[RENREVARD]

Even if you strip the bill of immunity this bill is still wrong KO. It grants much more power to any President from any party without the proper oversight. KO cuts to much slack to any person from either party who votes for this sorry ass version of FISA. My anwser: JUST SAY NO! THIS FISA BILL MUST GO!

[Busterdawg]

Hmmm... a week ago Olbermann was talking to Jonathan Alter on Countdown and both were praising Obama for being smart and centrist about his statement of intention on the FISA bill. I wonder what happened?

Could it be the drubbing that Obama (and Olbermann - see Glen Greenwald column in Salon) have taken from the Left over this?

Olbermann needs to pull his giant head out of his giant backside. This is what happens when you go all sycophant on somebody running for office... you find any excuse at all for their mistakes and poor judgment.

[Prism]

Dead on. Keith is a bit late to the party. He looks like an utter fool trying to quickly repostion himself now that it is clear that progressives with half a brain and core values, smell Obama's cynical political calculation. It is beyond comprehension that we must walk in blind lock step with a candidate so willing to reverse himself on so many critical issues. Keith: its time to turn in the brown shirt. You're so not cool when you shill for Obama's shameless triangulations. What happened to all that hyperbolic moral outrage you normally spew when candidates do not pass your rarified litmus test? Or do you reserve that revoldting bile only for Hillary, who, as it turns out is the only real progressive in the race? You sir, are nothing more than a vile, corrupt propagandist and an enemy to the truth. You've enabled a cypher, an unvetted neophyte with thin portfolio to leap frog over a field of superb Dem challengers. Disgraceful.

[olderdem]

Dems need to get over trying to punish the Telecoms to get back at Bush. The real way to get back is electing Obama. Time to move on, again.

[MissKaren]

I'd love to read John Dean's Findlaw statement.

Karen

[batmanindy]

I did not know Keith was still on the air. Amazing.

Oh well, 12 minutes and 50 seconds, 12 minutes and 51 seconds.

Keith is nothing more than a left sided Billo. When he was centered and reasoned, he rose in the ratings and captivated. Now, well, his shipped has sailed. He'll survive a few more 'minutes' but it'll end soon. To bad too. He had a shot at doing something real and he sold out (as they all seemingly do).

[bygollymissmolly]

Too bad for you that he signed a new 4 year contract recently and his ratings are going up month after month. If you don't like him don't watch him. You can have your Billo and I'll keep my Olberman, thank you.

[americanalien]

Keith continues to rock, he is still an American Hero. Back off detractors!

[FirstShirt]

He is a bag of hot overpaid air. He has found his niche in being antirepublican and it pays well. Although any trained monkey can be antirepublican right now.

Ever wonder how someone like KO [who is wired REAL tight] acts when they are drunk?

[cariintexas]

"Any trained monkey can be antirepublican now". Apparently not you. Need more training?

[rasquache]

Do it Barrack!

[FogBelter]

If, indeed, the door is left open for the criminal prosecution of corporate officers of the Telecom companies and Administration Officials, I can live with the suspension of civil charges. Throw some CEOs and Board Members in prison and a third rail of conduct will be manifested that future Corporate leaders will heed.

Once you recognize that self-interest has always been the prime motivator for people in power you can see how coming down on a few examples with a legal sledge hammer will modify behavior pretty quick.

[LiberalBuzz]

These companies are too big and too powerful to EVER land in court. Yes it was true about other companies but these guys aren't going to ever see the inside of a courtroom unless it is brought by private citizens. The DOJ under Obama will not get near them or at best will have some sort of cursory glance with a white wash saying they acted in good faith.

KO is right, Obama better to the right thing.

[geobushono]

I think you summed that up perfectly.­.......but as it stands NOW, Barack needs to regain my vote......­....you see Barack, we voters can dance this little dance too. You led for a while, let's see if you can follow. Really do your best....an­d we're on your side if you're with us.
fool me once (you know the rest)