February 12, 2008
[INSERT BANJO JOKE HERE]:
Senate backs Bush on broader spy powers (Eric Lichtblau, February 12, 2008, NY Times)
After more than a year of heated political wrangling, the Senate handed the White House a major win Tuesday by voting to broaden the government's spy powers and to give legal protection to phone companies that cooperated in President George W. Bush's warrantless eavesdropping program.The Senate rejected a series of amendments that would have restricted the government's surveillance powers and eliminated immunity for the phone carriers, and it voted in convincing fashion - 69 to 29 - to end debate and bring the issue to a final vote. That vote was expected later Tuesday afternoon, with the result all but assured.
The House has already rejected the idea of immunity for the phone companies, and Democratic leaders reacted angrily to the Senate vote. But congressional officials said it appeared that the House would ultimately be forced to accept some sort of legal protection for the phone carriers in negotiations between the two chambers this week.
Dragline didn't beat Luke this bad. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 12, 2008 4:18 PM
And Mr. Changiness voted against it too, I believe. Which he pretty much had to do to beat Clinton to the nomination. But which will provide much ammunition for McCain in the general should Changiness make it that far.
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at February 12, 2008 5:15 PMHillary didn't vote on it. Just perfect, eh?
I wonder what Pelosi will say now. Just a couple of days ago, she was telling her harem in SF that the surge was a failure. I doubt if she keeps very many blue dogs if/when the Senate version is reported to the conference. Somebody like Heath Shuler can't afford to vote against it, and there are a few moderate Dems who are drawing strong Republican opposition over immigration, so they won't want to be on the wrong side here.
Posted by: jim hamlen at February 13, 2008 1:38 AM