Another one hits the bus: Obama reverses on FISA
posted at 9:11 am on June 21, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama reversed his position on FISA reform yesterday, giving the Left a taste of the real Obama for the second time this week. After Obama abandoned public financing, most of his supporters in the hard-Left base seemed willing to write that off as good politics. This latest reversal has received a different reaction, as Paul Kane at the Washington Post notes:
In his most substantive break with the Democratic Party’s base since becoming the presumptive nominee, Obama declared he will support the bill when it comes to a Senate vote, likely next week, despite misgivings about legal provisions for telecommunications corporations that cooperated with the Bush administration’s warrantless surveillance program of suspected terrorists. ….
This marks something of a reversal of Obama’s position from an earlier version of the bill, which was approved by the Senate Feb. 12, when Obama was locked in a fight for the Democratic nomination with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).
Obama missed the February vote on that FISA bill as he campaigned in the “Potomac Primaries,” but issued a statement that day declaring “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.”
The wheels of the bus went round and round over Senators Dodd, Feingold, and that same grassroots movement of Americans. Why? John McCain has spent the last few weeks hammering Obama on his national-security weaknesses, and Obama’s repeated clinging to the Nuremberg military tribunals as an example of why he opposes military tribunals didn’t help. He needed to show that he can take a nuanced approach to the effort on the war, and he apparently chose FISA as the moment. It’s sheer political calculus, much the same as Obama’s position on public financing, the death penalty, the Iraq war, and just about every position Obama has taken in this campaign.
It’s becoming clear even to the Left that Obama has no real firm principles, only ambition. This FISA package doesn’t differ much from the compromise Senate bill in February — one supported by a significant number of Democrats then — except that it requires a court to certify that telecoms meet the prerequisites for immunity that the first bill granted outright. As Feingold notes, the bill drafts those requirements to ensure that the applications will be approved, as they should be, since the government assured the telecoms that the activities were legal. Obama’s stated reason for switching — that it restores FISA and wiretap statutes — was true of the previous version as well.
What changed? Obama doesn’t need the hard Left to get past Hillary Clinton. In fact, Code Pink, International ANSWER, and that “grassroots movement” will become liabilities in a general-election campaign against a nationally-known war hero. He tossed them under the bus with as much consideration as he did Jeremiah Wright and Jim Johnson.
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Hey! The man has promised “Change”….and he’s gonna do that everyday. That’s what “Progressives” are all about. Don’t like their position today, they’ll “Change” it tomorrow. Convenience is a wonderful thing.
GarandFan on June 21, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Wow. Perhaps the netroots will stop talking about illegal spying and how we should sue the telephone now? Doubt it. I wonder if he will lose some of his base he starts tracking to the center?
terryannonline on June 21, 2008 at 9:20 AM
He’s going to need a whole fleet of buses at this rate. We must remember he’s the Messiah - all these sins will be forgiven by an electorate that thinks flip-flops refer to their chosen candidate’s footwear.
Anna on June 21, 2008 at 9:24 AM
But where does Obama stand on Salmonella Tomatoes?
America needs to know!
Mr. Bingley on June 21, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Man…must be some bumpy ride on that bus!
flipflop on June 21, 2008 at 9:27 AM
If he’ll throw the woman who helped raise him under those spinning wheels, what makes them think he’ll stay true to anything he’s promised? But they’re dems, they’re used to it.
thekingtut on June 21, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Well, he is up front about it …..
CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN
fogw on June 21, 2008 at 9:29 AM
The huffpos and obamaniacs are losing their minds over this……
ctmom on June 21, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Naaah, it’s probably a pretty smooth ride. After all, it’s got that DM (driveby media) Suspension System protecting him from any discomfort.
thekingtut on June 21, 2008 at 9:31 AM
He has a 100% lock on those groups votes already, so he can afford to throw them under the bus because they are still going to vote for him.
JeffinSac on June 21, 2008 at 9:32 AM
CHANGE
YOU
CANCAN’T BELIEVEINMEjgapinoy on June 21, 2008 at 9:33 AM
hmmm. Same thing ctdad tells me about McCain.
ctmom on June 21, 2008 at 9:39 AM
I’m betting Obama’s doctrinaire anti-energy position is in for some serious revision also. It’s just not palatable to most voters, otherwise.
petefrt on June 21, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Ah, come on, you guys are just impossible.
It was an earlier version of the bill that Obama was against. Once Obama introduced some changes into the bill, it became a good thing.
Ya’ll just don’t understand the importance of change. Its what we all want.
I have seen the light, I have been converted, I have been persuaded, I want change.
Here is what persuaded me:
Thomas Paines
Rights of Man Google books online [page 9].
rockhauler on June 21, 2008 at 9:42 AM
He won’t be there for the vote so his absence will offer him some cover.
NotCoach on June 21, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Not likely. The Nutroots will forgive him his sins since to them the only important thing right now is winning.
NotCoach on June 21, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Tazz 55 on June 21, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Obama also said he was going to work to remove the telecom immunity provision when this bill gets to the Senate.
That should be fun to watch: Obama publicly taking political risk. If he can’t do it (and I doubt he can), he’ll look pretty lame. His magic pixie dust will work with Iran, the PLO, North Korea, etc., but not in the Senate.
Wethal on June 21, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Yeah, but what are they gonna do besides scream about it? They’re stuck with him. I can’t see them staying home or cutting back on donations just because he lies to them.
a capella on June 21, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I read it was REID who was going to work to remove the provision, to take the heat off of Obama.
ctmom on June 21, 2008 at 9:49 AM
McCain should use the same line he used on Romney (regarding Romney’s past liberalism)–”Yes, you really are the candidate of change.”
jgapinoy on June 21, 2008 at 9:51 AM
Wake me up when he returns the $50,000 plus that CodePinkO co-founder Jodie Evans bundled for him.
Buy Danish on June 21, 2008 at 9:53 AM
I just got here and didn’t read all the comments yet. Are you talking about Obama or McCain?
JiangxiDad on June 21, 2008 at 9:53 AM
I read it was REID who was going to work to remove the provision, to take the heat off of Obama.
ctmom on June 21, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Ben Smith at Politico quoted Obama, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Reid does do it for Obama for cover, and to keep Obama out on the trail raising money.
Wethal on June 21, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Another day, another triangulation.
baldilocks on June 21, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Heh. I was going to reference that same issue on our side, but thought someone else would probably pick up the club for me. Thanks. It’s hard to identify with the Kos Kidz woes, but there ya go.
a capella on June 21, 2008 at 10:01 AM
He thinks he’s going to be elected in November and does not want to hobble himself like he wanted to hobble GWB.
Bob's Kid on June 21, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I think Obama is going to have to start throwing people under the train instead of the bus. Much more room under there.
Buford Gooch on June 21, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Anyone want to guess how long it will be before Big Possumus
reverses himselftriangulates on not drilling offshore or in ANWR?Buy Danish on June 21, 2008 at 10:05 AM
But if we are forced to vote for them based upon their records, we couldn’t pull the lever. So much more satisfying to believe the lies.
(btw, I doubt that most of the Messiah’s fans are true believers. They don’t really think they’re going to win the lottery but they buy the tickets anyway.)
JiangxiDad on June 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Big Possum. Love that nickname for Barry. But Big Mac will prob. be triangulating on ANWR before long as well.
JiangxiDad on June 21, 2008 at 10:09 AM
More green than the bus too.
JiangxiDad on June 21, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Sorry, missed this.
Yep, and if he moves to the right of McCain on this issue we’re doomed. Fox News just ran an Opinion Dynamics poll and I believe it’s running 76% in favor of drilling now versus 20% opposed.
Mac better triangulate first. He only has a few degrees to move, while Barry has to do an full 180.
Buy Danish on June 21, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Socialists claim Obama beholden to telecom interests:
JiangxiDad on June 21, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Not as hard to do on water :)
(I wish somebody could do a pic of a big possum attacking a big Mac. Ridicule is good sometimes. It knocks them off their high-horse.)
JiangxiDad on June 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I figure Obama’s going to run right now, and probably end up being more conservative on some issues than McCain. Who jogged right briefly, but now is right back where he was before. Well to the left of the rest of the nation.
Snake307 on June 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM
HEY BO, you have NOT YET won the Dem nomination, you have to wait until September to move to the middle. The Supers can right now change their mind and vote for Hillary in August.
BroncosRock on June 21, 2008 at 10:27 AM
He didn’t do himself any favors with the closed Chicago meeting for Hispanics the other night. And, his upcoming talk with La Raza has disaster written all over it. His problem on the illegal immigration issue is that everyone knows where Obama stands. McCain has the appearence of a cat trying to walk on hot coals, which hurts the “steady at the helm” image he’s trying to maintain.
a capella on June 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Eventually, the American public will throw Comrade Obama and his brand of Marxism under the bus.
Now if only McAMNESTY can be coaxed back to his senses.
tarpon on June 21, 2008 at 10:42 AM
This week in Bus and Driver
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
D2Boston on June 21, 2008 at 11:09 AM
This week in “Bus and Driver” ….
Good one, Ed.
BigD on June 21, 2008 at 11:10 AM
That bus is going to drive over all of us to satisfy his ambition.
ronsfi on June 21, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Everyday I get in the queue
ronsfi on June 21, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Maybe…just maaaaaaaayyyyyyybeeeee…
…there will be more and more independents and - gasp, to think of it - Democrats who now will hear The Obamboozler’s call for “hope” and “change” as merely the modern interpretation of the BOOK >”To Serve Man” :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Serve_Man
Lockstein13 on June 21, 2008 at 12:10 PM
The only change he wants is the change in your pocket.
becki51758 on June 21, 2008 at 12:26 PM
~ ~ David Brooks (the sane and level-headed Mr. Brooks)
Nothing.
The fools are those who believed otherwise, ever.
‘Charismatic’ and unprincipled leaders, with oodles in mob appeal, based on nothing, are the most dangerous in all of history. Be afraid, wide-awake, and choose wisely.
Entelechy on June 21, 2008 at 12:29 PM
With all the people he’s abandoned Obama will soon force us to find another metaphor. Talk about “change.”
seanhackbarth on June 21, 2008 at 12:58 PM
There is an issue here so much more important than the next election that I feel we are going on about a side show. The issue is that if the telecoms don’t get their immunity, no corporation will be able to corporate with the government to help protect the American people. If they do cooperate they face the possibility of massive legal liability. The lack of immunity for the telecoms makes us much, much less safe. In a perfect world, the Democrats opposed to granting the telecoms immunity from lawsuits would be executed for treason. I know that sounds harsh and perhaps you think I am lunatic for suggesting this, but think about seriously for a minute. If it helps get my point, pretend you had a relative in the World Trade Center. Next, consider what possible good could result from the telecoms being sued.
thuja on June 21, 2008 at 1:07 PM
And here I thought we’d have to wait until after he was elected for Lefties to realize that Hope and Change™ is just a rhetorical device. Obama never had a principled objection to illegal government spying.
Mark Jaquith on June 21, 2008 at 2:03 PM
It’s called a learning curve. But, it usually cannot be applied to potential Presidents of the US. The assumption being that they have some experience under their belts and have actually studied these issues at some point.
jeanie on June 21, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Wait until Obama actually votes. His people might just be testing the waters to see how a perceived shift would go down with the Left, Democrats, and Independents. We know he doesn’t really care about Republicans, no matter how much he might say otherwise.
Seixon on June 21, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Obama has one principle to wit get elected. If anything he has even less concern for national security than do the Clintons. The MSM isn’t much better. They get exercised about lying on public financing but not about lying about much more substantive issues.
burt on June 21, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Ooopps! I changed my pants! I’d better change my political positions!
Vntnrse on June 21, 2008 at 4:20 PM
I’m not surprised at all that barack hussein obama is willing to sell out our country.
But I am surprised that there are so many republicans here who are more than willing to allow our government to trample on our constitution and enforce illegal spying.
How is it acceptable to you whatsoever to allow them to trample on the fourth amendment?
Pretty soon you will wake up and realize you have NO RIGHTS left!
SaintOlaf on June 21, 2008 at 5:48 PM
Not so fast Ed….
Right on Senator…!
J_Gocht on June 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM
“Those weren’t the moonbats that I knew.”
Kafir on June 21, 2008 at 9:36 PM
J_Gocht on June 21, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Yes, the lefties are soothing their heart-ache with this new statement form Obama about the telecom immunity–which of course was the main sticking point all along.
He’s really over a barrel on this one. We’ll see how he votes, if he votes. Time to pivot to center, or keep the HuffPo crowd on your side?
juliesa on June 21, 2008 at 11:46 PM
That “bus” better be a Hummer with all of the political human bodies it’s having to run over! Or maybe it’s time for a new metaphor.
leftnomore on June 22, 2008 at 4:34 AM