Dodd is certainly in a POSITION to lead on this issue. But will he? It has been suggested that Dodd should just put a "hold" on the bill. Leading a filibuster has been suggested as another option. What if he chooses to do neither of these things?
BTW, it is strange to me that net darlings who voted FOR FISA get away without much trouble from the netroots. Where is the indignation vs. Webb, for example?
I suggest you read me NOT giving him a free pass on FISA, and especially, Iraq.
I did not, just the general webroots, which has not taken Webb to task for his vote.
That's true.
Webb actually got a lot of grief over the FISA vote and a few other votes where he went against the netroots position. On the other hand, he gets a certain amount of credit for being on the right side of the infamous Iran vote, for his bill to give our troops the R&R time they deserve, and similar items.
One of the things I dislike about certain quarters of the netroots is the refusal to evaluate individuals on their whole body of work. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about; you can have the progressive resume of a Russ Feingold, but cast one "bad" vote and commentors start ranting about finding a primary opponent for you.
So if Webb isn't getting as much grief over that bad vote as he could, I'm fine with that, because it exemplifies a healthier attitude in the long run. He's certainly voting a lot better than George Allen would, and no other Democrat was winning that seat for us this cycle.
... we'll never pass a single progressive bill if we give our elected Democrats a pass for voting against us 50% of the time.
every elected Democrat should always live in fear of a progressive primary. it does wonders for their voting records - just look at Al Wynn, proud co-sponsor of Kucinich's impeach Cheney bill, H. Res. 333 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z? d110:HE00333:@@@P
But can't we stipulate that there's a big difference between Al Wynn and Russ Feingold?
but Feingold needs to be smacked occasionally just like the others - remember he was the deciding vote that let John Ashcroft's AG nomination out of the Judiciary Committee in 2001, because Ashcroft once gave him a ride home in the rain.
Of course he is voting better than George Allen would have, that goes without saying. I was referring specifically to his netroots appeal, which is a bit odd, considering his stances on FISA and also non-progressive stances on several progressive domestic issues.
