Obama makes a “Right Turn” on FISA

28 Jan 2008
Barack Obama Statement on FISA

I strongly oppose retroactive immunity in the FISA bill.

Ever since 9/11, this Administration has put forward a false choice between the liberties we cherish and the security we demand.

The FISA court works. The separation of power works. We can trace, track down and take out terrorists while ensuring that our actions are subject to vigorous oversight, and do not undermine the very laws and freedom that we are fighting to defend.

No one should get a free pass to violate the basic civil liberties of the American people - not the President of the United States, and not the telecommunications companies that fell in line with his warrantless surveillance program. We have to make clear the lines that cannot be crossed.

20 June 2008
Washington Post

Sen. Barack Obama announced his support for a intelligence surveillance law (FISA - Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) containing a provision to protect the telecom industry against lawsuits for following Pres. Bush’s request for wiretaps.

12 Feb 2008
Senate Passes Bill to Expand Government’s Spying Powers

Senate Roll Call Vote (senate.gov)

Politico
Netroots jilted by Obama FISA stand

The FISA debate marks the presumptive Democratic nominee’s first serious break from the liberal Netroots in the general election. He is still their candidate, but the FISA issue has reignited skepticism among major bloggers, who had largely pushed aside doubts about Obama when Edwards, their favored candidate, ended his bid in February.

FISA, however, was different. Many of the most popular progressive blogs built their following by mining anger toward President Bush, the Iraq war and what bloggers view as his disregard of the Constitution and the civil liberties guaranteed by it. By granting immunity to telecom companies, civil courts will likely dismiss lawsuits that might unearth details about the administration’s activities, eliminating an opportunity to hold Bush accountable.

“It angers the blogosphere to its core,” said Jane Hamsher, founder of the popular blog Firedoglake.com. “Let’s be honest, it is either Obama or John McCain. So we really don’t have much of a choice.”

FISA on the floor; nutroots in a frenzy;

ShareThis