A Powerful, Easy Way to Tell Obama to Get FISA Right

Since I started writing about Senator Obama's reversal on the upcoming FISA vote, the number of comments to column shot up 1000%, and they are mostly supportive. It turns out that there are a lot of Obama supporters who feel as I do: we support Obama over McCain as much ever, but his about-face on FISA and the US Constitution is a disaster that cannot be ignored.

It seems that we are right back to the dreary old position we so often find ourselves in: having our votes taken for granted as the nominee moves relentlessly to the right. Except this time it is even more infuriating because we had so much to do with the candidate getting far enough down the road that he can turn his back on us.

The Internet had a lot to do with this. What if we can find a way to use it to our advantage now? Is there a creative way to use the Internet to make our voice heard? I have a proposal:

Imagine how inspired you would have been if, instead of turning and running, Obama was interrupting his campaign schedule to fly to Washington and lead the filibuster against the FISA legislation. Take the money donate it instead to Russ Feingold, the senator who is leading the struggle. Then tell everyone you know to do the same.

This will be simple and effective:

* This won't be a vote against Obama. It will be a vote for the US Constitution and for political courage.

* It won't help McCain, and it will strengthen the part of the Democratic Party that will do what Obama said he would do but now won't.

* We will be able to measure our success by the size of the bump in contributions to the Feingold campaign fund.

* It is a no risk deal. If no one does it except you and me, we have still given some money to the senator who is actually out front leading on this. And if lots of others do it to, we will be making a statement that might reverberate nationally.

Now, about Feingold. Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin) has led the fight against the FISA bill. He is still leading it. He has not backed down one inch. Here is his latest statement on the matter:

I hope that over the July 4th holiday, Senators will take a closer look at this deeply flawed legislation and understand how it threatens the civil liberties of the American people. It is possible to defend this country from terrorists while also protecting the rights and freedoms that define our nation.

Note how the clarity of this statements contrasts with the pathetic hemming and hawing of Senator Obama's most recent statement, which is here.

The leadership shown by Feingold was a big reason why Obama wanted to get next to him the week before the Wisconsin primary (back when Obama needed progressive votes). Here is Obama back then:

I am proud to stand with Senator Dodd, Senator Feingold and a grassroots movement of Americans who are refusing to let President Bush put protections for special interests ahead of our security and our liberty. There is no reason why telephone companies should be given blanket immunity to cover violations of the rights of the American people -- we must reaffirm that no one in this country is above the law... It is time for this politics of fear to end. We are trying to protect the American people, not special interests like the telecommunications industry.

Obama won Wisconsin, and is now leaving Feingold out to dry. It is funny (sort of) that Obama still has this statement up on his Senate Web site, while his campaign site has his new statement in support of the legislation. Dude! That's embarrassing! You caved in so fast your own Web sites are arguing with each other! This is not what we had in mind when we gave you all that time and money, and votes.

For a contrast, watch the video on Senator Feingold's home page. Nope, he is not a great orator, but he gets right to the point and says what he means.

You can donate to Feingold's campaign fund here.

If you have a moment, come back to this column after you make your contribution and leave a comment stating how much money you gave.

OK. Let's see what happens. I am logging off to go put my $100 in the Feingold campaign. Join me if you can.

Comments

[itmaybetoolate]

50.00 to Russ. Are you listening Sen. Obama?

[JackLivigni]

How easily people are manipulated into putting their energy into divisive and defeatist positions!

[itmaybetoolate]

It is never defeatist to support the protection of the Constitution. My loyalty is to the Constitution, not any particular politician. If I can support the re-election of Senator Feingold, then I will do it. If it sends a message to Obama, who, I believe, is making a mistake on this bill, then all the better!

[TheodorP]

Thanks Bob for the suggestion. I feel so much better after sending Russ my $100. I will vote for Obama because there is no other alternative, but if he continues to support this FISA legislation, I will not donate to his campaign again. I feel this is a huge betrayal of the people, including myself, who supported his campaign to become the Democratic nominee.

[lady49]

I don't think Senator Obama is going to miss this, I believe his 28,000/plate dinner was successful where over 300 were in attendance.
Keep your cash mister, you are not a true supporter anyway
I'm glad they have your identity. I will remind them not to forget, Theodor P.

[buckygreen]

Remind them not to forget? What are you the Obama thought police or something?

[itmaybetoolate]

Of course, you dare to disagree with Obama so you are not a true supporter. What do we have now? A litmus test?

[Michale32086]

Measure proposed by "patriot" Senator Dodd:

Hidden deep in Senator Christopher Dodd's 630-page Senate housing legislation is a sweeping provision that affects the privacy and operation of nearly all of America's small businesses. The provision, which was added by the bill's managers without debate this week, would require the nation's payment systems to track, aggregate, and report information on nearly every electronic transaction to the federal government.

"At a time when concerns about both identity theft and government spying are paramount, Congress wants to create a new honey pot of private data that includes Social Security numbers. This bill reduces privacy across America's payment processing systems and treats every American small business or eBay power seller like a criminal on parole by requiring an unprecedented level of reporting to the federal government­."

Yea, a real "privacy" hero... :^/

Michale...­..

[RnR]

We're discussing FISA, not smearing Chris Dodd. Can't you stay on topic.

If McCain gets elected Obama has nobody to blame but himself.

[Michale32086]

Actually, bucky brought up Dodd and I pointed out what a hypocrite Dodd is..

You don't like it? Tough...

Take a hike..

Michale...­..

[Michale32086]

Yea, that will be a real consolation to millions of Americans.

And just think... You can proudly say that you helped it happen..

Won't you be so proud? :^/

Michale...­..

[TonalCrow]

That's bad too. If you're concerned about that, you should be triply concerned about the FISA revisions. That you're supporting them instead, lying about them, and attempting to divert attention to anything and everything else, shows us exactly where you're coming from.

Back under the bridge.

[Michale32086]

Well, at least we agree that Dodd is a hypocrite.­..

And, since your Section 702 has already been shot down by several, one has to wonder what you are still doing here...

Michale...­..

[Viola]

Several people in the comments are claiming that by diverting funds to Feingold we will cost Obama the election. Obama certainly didn't seem worried about that - he told us directly that he's prepared to take his lumps over this. And nothing he's done since indicates that he is the least bit concerned about how this issue affects his supporters.

Ditto several people are claiming that by giving Obama a hard time over this we are helping the republicans put forth their flip flopper claim. Once again, Obama certainly wasn't concerned about that when he made his choice to reverse his position.

Obama's not worried - why are you?

[buckygreen]

Listen to American patriot Chris Dodd right now.

[buckygreen]

Chris Dodd: Uphold the rule of law.

Its as simple as that.

[mlaiuppa]

No retroactive amnesty.

[buckygreen]

I hope you all are watching the Senate as the 4th Amendment is slowly but surely being snuffed out. Remember this day, and remember who stood up for the Constitution, and those who didn't.

[Michale32086]

More fear-monge­ring.. :^/

Why can't you just admit you are wrong and Senator Obama and the majority of the Democrats in the House and Senate are right..

Michale...­..

[buckygreen]

Because they are absolutely wrong on this. Are you even listening to Dodd right now? Why do you hate the rule of law and the Constitution so much?

[TonalCrow]

I see that more anti-Liberty types have come in to sabotage the Constitution. I think that says it all about their loyalty to America.

[TeeLolly]

I just donated $50 (6:40 PM EST). Last week when called by the presumptive nominee's people, I reminded them of my past donations to him, and refused to donate because of FISA.

[Michale32086]

I see more Anti-Obama types have come in to sabotage Senator Obama's presidential campaign.. :(

Michale...­..

[RnR]

You already said it's going to pass no matter what. So what's your point? Just to spin?

[buckygreen]

I'm pro-Constitution. You sound like Saxby Chambliss or Kit Bond.

[onetiredcowboy]

I just contributed $50 to Senator Feingold's campaign. Barack, that $50 could have gone to you, if you hadn't abandoned reason and principle on FISA.

[lisasolodwarren]

so then, who are you voting for? McCain? That will sure show Obama. Yeah. And the rest of us.

[kaziny]

Obama has run on a platform of bringing America together. I do not want to be brought together with the forces of evil and greed. I want a candidate who will fight against them. Obama has shown with this FISA compromise that he is just another politician who will sacrifice his principles to get elected. The arguement that we have to settle for Obama because McCain is worse isn't true. I am voting for Nader and if we can get his numbers up to 10%, we can get him into the debates. Am I throwing my vote away? I think voting for McCain or Obama is throwing your vote away because both are willing to violate our rights.

[WheredidIleavemyteeth]

It's this sort of short-sighted foolishness that got George Bush elected in the first place.

[Michale32086]

Yep... And now it's going to "work" again to elect McCain.. :(

Michale...­..

[clathey]

Judging from the volume of comments, you have scored a hit. I donated $250 to Russ Feingold's fund and had donated $200 to my local Representative, Brad Ellsworth, at a fundraiser and told him to his face that I didn't support telecom immunity, even though I knew he supported it. I sent him the NYTimes editorial from this morning to amplify that thought. He had said that I was one of his top ten bloggers, not first, mind, but noted. Thank goodness for that. Of course they probably tend to think, well, here comes one of the hardcore correspondents, but this program of donating to Feingold seems to have a noticable edge. Way to go!

[jacqmac]

WAS there an actual VOTE today? Who voted for or against? I wanna see the same numbers I wanna see in regards to campaign $$ etc. It is patently clear to me at least, that Obama is about to get hit HARD by the McCain campaign. McCain took public funding. Therefore, McCain MUST look elsewhere-like to a 527-to start the smears. Already there's talk of gay-bashing rearing up, a couple of Swift Boat vets have 'signed on' and Karl Rove is lurking in the background. The absolute best thing that Obama could do or could have done (if the vote took place today) is to "abstain". *respectfully*
He still stands with Dodd et.al. and well-how many other 'charismatic politicians' (Kennedy (x2), McGovern, McCarthy, etc.-have interuppted their campaigns to go vote. And-pray tell-WHERE is Hillary Clinton? We know where Obama and McCain are--but HRC should be on the Senate floor herself!!