House Republicans have walked out to protest the Democrats' refusal to consider senate-passed FISA legislation that would enable America's intelligence agencies to effectively monitor terrorists who are plotting to attack. While Democrats can't find time for that, they did find time to debate the merits of specific individuals on the Administration staff. This is an outrage - our first duty is to protect America. Democrats refuse to take that seriously.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:11 pm Eric: I am a more than a little surprised by this demagoguery. You know as well as I do that the Democrats in both houses were prepared to send the exact same bill to the White House except for the retroactive telecom immunity provision. The President even threatened to veto the entire bill unless it had that provision, so who exactly is playing fast and loose with the Nation’s well-being. Labeling the other side as frivolous on national security when there is a significant legal and Constitutional issue with the legislation is disingenuous and beneath you. I have never registered for a political party and have voted for candidates on both sides of the aisle including you, but this pandering to corporate interests is the precise reason the Republicans are loosing ground. The name calling doesn’t sell well either and should stop. Maybe the upcoming Presidential election will open some Republican eyes on the issues of intelligence of the voters and their capacity to understand the issues and to discard the inflammatory and childish rhetoric.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:16 pm The point is this. Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans worked together – they compromised and passed a bipartisan FISA bill that protects the American People. House Republicans support this plan. The White House supports this plan. Even Blue Dog (moderate) House Democrats support this plan.
Only the House Democrat Leadership stands in the way. They refuse to bring it to the floor, because they know an overwhelming number on both sides will vote for it. They need to stop playing politics and pass this bipartisan bill.
The current FISA law will expire in just over a day – this is why we had to take such drastic action to keep this country safe.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:44 pm Let it die. This thing is full of secret courts, and international law – it is crazy that we do not have anybody to protect us from our own government.
I’m a lifelong Republican, and I’m quite disappointed that neither party is outraged by some of the anti-freedom clauses in this bill.
Call me old fashioned, but I resent the continual erosion of our most basic rights, all in the name of the-war-of-the-decade. 80’s “The Communists are coming!” 90’s – The Drug Lords are coming!!! 00’s – The Muslims are Coming!
I’m not afraid, and I want to be free.
Smaller government is better government.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:32 pm Finally some action from conservatives in the House!!!! Been waiting for them to stop the traitorous dems in the House. Keep up the great work!!!!
February 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am If you would, please get our Republican reps to be as serious about all issues as they are about this. WE need for them to stand up, speak out and respond to ridiculous statements about conservative. There is a Republican National Committee – if they are ever going to start working and TALKING about the cause – now is the time.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:26 pm I said in an earlier comment (2/14) that some Republican eyes would be opened at the next election due to their name calling and pandering to corporate interests along with leading the headlong erosion of our basic rights. Apparently I was wrong. It only took the past three special elections to fire the shot across the elephant’s snout. I wonder how the GOP explains Democrat Travis Childers victory in a Mississippi district that trends 20 points in favor of Republicans and went for Bush in the last election by a 65% to 35% margin? I doubt this comment will see the light of the blog, but maybe Team Cantor will take heed.