! Obama Waves Middle Finger at Ultra-Left Supporters
- From: Patriot Games <Patriot@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:38:55 -0400
http://www.newsmax.com/politics/obamas_middle/2008/07/09/111440.html
Analysis: Obama's Turn to Middle on Surveillance
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama's vote in favor of anti-terrorist
surveillance legislation on Wednesday marked an about-face on the
issue that left him comfortably in the bipartisan middle, no matter
the criticism from John McCain nor the discomfort among liberal
Democrats.
"Given the choice between voting for an improved yet imperfect bill,
and losing important surveillance tools, Senator Obama chose to
support" the legislation, his office said, even though it contained a
provision the Democratic presidential nominee-in-waiting had flatly
opposed.
Translation: With the general election looming, preventing another
terrorist attack trumped fears that privacy rights may be violated.
Ironically, the Democratic presidential contender cast his vote one
day after telling a campaign audience that accounts of a shift toward
the center on the Iraq War, guns, the death penalty and other issues
were unfounded. "The people who say this haven't apparently been
listening to me," Obama said in response to a question at a town
hall-style event.
Legal immunity for companies such as AT&T is not an issue likely to
affect many votes in November.
The war in Iraq is a different matter, though, the issue that likely
will matter most next to the economy.
Obama outmaneuvered New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton for the
Democratic nomination in part because he campaigned as an agent of
change, and in part because he opposed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of
Iraq while she voted to authorize military action.
Now, with a trip planned to the war zone and progress evident one year
after President Bush ordered an increase in troop strength, Obama must
preserve his anti-war credentials and continue to appeal to voters
looking for a departure from conventional politics. At the same time,
he must reassure voters he is ready to become commander in chief in an
era of terrorism.
"I am going to do a thorough assessment when I'm there," he told
reporters earlier this week. "I'm sure I'll have more information and
continue to refine my policy."
A few hours later, he went before reporters a second time and blamed
McCain's campaign for any misunderstanding about his long-standing
commitment to bring combat troops home on a 16-month timeline.
He said his rival's aides had "primed the pump with the press" to
suggest "we were changing our policy when we haven't."
It wasn't a claim he could credibly make on legislation overhaul rules
on secret government eavesdropping of suspected terrorists. The
measure extends protection from lawsuits for telecommunications
companies that helped the government eavesdrop on American phone and
computer lines without court permission.
Last fall, Obama's spokesman, Bill Burton was unambiguous. "To be
clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes
retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies."
That was then, with the primary campaign uppermost in Obama's mind.
This is now, with the Democratic presidential nomination in his grasp,
fear of a terrorist attack a lingering public concern and the general
election against McCain looming.
Predictably, McCain seemed reluctant to take yes for an answer on an
issue that has long bedeviled Democrats.
In comments to reporters during the day, the Republican presidential
contender looked beyond Obama's vote on the legislation to highlight
their remaining difference.
"We have to have the ability to monitor communications between
terrorist organizations and individuals who want to destroy America
and everything we stand for," said McCain, who skipped the vote.
"So Senator Obama and I are still in strong disagreement on the issue
of immunity for the telecommunications corporations." Obama voted for
unsuccessful attempts to strip out the immunity before voting for the
measure.
A leading Democratic critic of the bill, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis.,
expressed disappointment. "All Democrats should be unified against
this lousy piece of legislation," he said.
In fact, 27 Democrats voted against the measure, a group that included
Clinton as well as Majority Leader Harry Reid and other top members of
the leadership.
Obama was left in the company of 20 other Democrats, many of them
moderates or conservatives from traditionally Republican states where
he hopes to contest McCain this fall. Not to mention all 47 Senate
Republicans who voted on the measure, and President Bush, the wartime
commander in chief who will sign the legislation when it reaches his
desk.
.
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