Letters to the Editor
DCLaw1
Published Letters: 942 Editor's Choice: 2
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the power of conviction
[Read the article: Harry Reid -- compare and contrast]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I just want to mention that Senator Dodd's exemplary leadership today shows just how potent an aggressive defense of one's beliefs can be, even in small numbers.
Mr. Dodd did the right thing in responding to citizens' ardent concerns about the proposed legislation, and responding to his own conscience, taking his convictions all the way from Iowa to the Senate floor when such a move would potentially hurt his presidential prospects the most.
His singular leadership, with scant voices in support (among them, nevertheless, the inimitable Russ Feingold), redefined the debate and put the Republicans on the defensive. Even just watching the proceedings on C-Span, I could tell in the speech and body language of supporters of retroactive immunity that they were knocked off balance and caught flat-footed by the unexpected frontal attack.
GOP Senators took the podium looking and sounding confused, their talking points in disarray. Behind Senator Dodd's strong and unequivocal voice -- and parliamentary maneuvering -- came the equally strong voices of Senators Kennedy and Feingold. Even just based on appearances, watching all the speeches, this small, vocal band completely stole the show and willed momentum in their favor. The shift was palpable.
Even Feinstein, with her too-little-too-late amendment to water down immunity, seemed to recognize that the general mood was souring on the features of the bill she enabled. Of course, the record will most likely be plain that the move was superficial, disinengenuous, and designed purely to cast herself in a better political light now that true leadership in the Senate was being demonstrated.
Supporters of immunity and other pernicious changes were decisively put on the defensive, and it had everything to do with the aggressive, unequivocal leadership of a relative few.
All other Democratic members of Congress, and candidates for president: sit up and take notice of this powerful lesson.
Also, of course, congratulations are in order to Glenn, other bloggers, and the tide of public sentiment that helped spur on this most promising (albeit far from conclusive) development.
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Feinstein
[Read the article: Anatomy and significance of Monday's FISA victory]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I personally don't believe one bit that Senator Feinstein's last-minute amendments were salutary and intended as a two-bank corner shot supposedly in order to divide proponents of retroactive immunity.
From the instant I saw her give her speech and file her amendments, the whole display struck me as purely self-serving and superficial -- an attempt to make herself appear to be an opponent of retroactive immunity, when all of her prior actions strongly suggested otherwise. Particularly bothersome to me was the skewed smirk that kept appearing on her face every time she talked about her new proposals.
I'm disinclined to think I will be convinced otherwise as events unfold further, although we will likely see more self-serving displays in reaction to shifts in momentum engendered by the bold efforts of Dodd, Feingold, and their growing army of concerned citizens.
Feinstein's message in reply to karrsik fits that prognosis, I'm afraid.
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Dodd for Majority Leader?
[Read the article: Anatomy and significance of Monday's FISA victory]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I don't think it's an insult to suggest Senator Dodd should run for the Senate Leader spot. As much as I'd like to see him be a more credible candidate for the Democratic nomination, he simply is not, and the Iowa caucuses are nearly upon us.
There's nothing insulting in suggesting that someone try to accomplish something that is both (a) laudable and (b) realistic. Majority Leader of the Senate is nothing to sneeze at, particularly when placed in the hands of a principled legislative veteran such as Mr. Dodd. In fact, when you consider the dismal performance of Senator Reid in that position, I think the argument becomes even more compelling.
Here come the angry responses...
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Kitt
[Read the article: Anatomy and significance of Monday's FISA victory]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]With all of that in mind, I do think it a might rude for us to be suggesting to him that he should drop his run for President.
I'm not sure who's saying that. What little I've seen has been just that he try again for Majority Leader, which doesn't have to be to the exclusion of his presidential campaign. Ultimately, I would never advocate Mr. Dodd (or some of the other underdogs) to simply drop their primary campaigns until at least some of the primaries and caucuses are done, because for them much of their effort has more to do with inserting a particular narrative into the race, and perhaps positioning themselves for other options after the nomination. These efforts do have value, and it explains why underdogs stay in it despite dismal prospects.
So, for what it's worth, I think Dodd should stay in the race through at least Iowa and New Hampshire, where he can draw added national attention to the constitutional and other issues he has championed with sometimes lonely devotion. Already, even as a third-tier candidate for President, he has boosted his stature and voice tremendously. For that, I am very thankful.
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Kitt
[Read the article: Anatomy and significance of Monday's FISA victory]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Fair enough.
Also, once the nomination dust settles, if Dodd doesn't seek or win the Majority Leader spot, he would make a fantastic Attorney General for the Democratic President.
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kovie @ Bill Owen
[Read the article: Anatomy and significance of Monday's FISA victory]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I loved Atrios' take:
Understandably we all feel defeated at times, but there's a certain kind of defeatist out there on the internets, people who spend most of their time chastising others for thinking it's possible to have any influence and attacking the "stupidity" of those who even bother to try. Maybe those people are right. Maybe there never is anything to be done. But if that's the case, get a new goddamn hobby. It's rather odd to spend all your time following political news and blogs if the only reason to do it is to provide justification for your view that All Is Lost. Just go out and have some fun instead.
How about it?