I'm a cash-strapped law student, but I donated $200 to Dodd because he has shown time and again what Democrats are looking for in a candidate - the ability to lead on issues that others do not. He's the Democratic candidate that will restore the U.S. Constitution.

Dave,

Albuquerque, NM

Glenn, the next logical step would be to hold hearings in the Senate on the issue of telecom complicity with the Administration's violations of the law. Since EFF has indicated that Klein would gladly testify before Congress, and since you've interviewed both EFF personnel and Dodd, hopefully you have passed on Klein's willingness to testify. If not, maybe you could--the rest of us don't have the cachet to get past entry level staffers.

Thanks Glenn, for continuing to pound on this issue.

I called, signed the petition, and donated. I'm changing my registration from Rep to Dem so I can vote for him in the Primary.

Keep going!

Joey Bishop passed away. Let's show some repsect for a legend with a vow of internet silence for the rest of the week. Who cares about the Fourth Amendment anyway?

-- orbitboy

Deborah Kerr too. After all, as Paris would say, "She looked so hot rolling around on that beach with Burt."

Shall we start a pool to see which winger pundit has an apoplectic fit first?

From CQ via Spencer Ackerman:

http://tpmmuckraker.com/archives/004502.php

CQ: Surveillance Bill Will Go to Senate Floor Next Month
By Spencer Ackerman - October 18, 2007, 5:01PM

Tim Starks of Congressional Quarterly reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to bring the Senate's surveillance bill up for floor debate in mid-November. That's despite the hold that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) plans to place on the measure -- something first reported by Election Central's Greg Sargent.

The Senate intelligence committee is still marking up the bill behind closed doors, according to staffers. A joint statement from committee leaders Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Kit Bond (R-MO) will follow when the mark-up concludes, but that may not occur today.

As for the bill's early support, here's Starks (not available online):

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., praised Rockefeller and Bond's efforts to put together a bipartisan bill, but added that "I have concerns" about the legislation. She offered no specifics.

Asked if he was comfortable with the legislation, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., would only say, "I'll be doing some stuff in markup."

Bond said "we'll see" if other Republicans line up to support the legislation, noting that senators are "as independent as hogs on ice."

- - Tim Starks at CQ

Starks also reports that Reid and whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) want to see the legal documentation the White House gave to the committee about warrantless surveillance before casting their votes.

- - Spencer Ackerman at TPMmuckraker

The cable Newsertainment rags are not mentioning the Dodd 'Hold', except on the crawler which simply says 'Congressional Democrats pull vote on foreign surveilance legislation after failing to get enough votes to overturn a Republican amendment' or some such tripe. Of course, any story where a Democrat stands up for out CONSTITUTION and the RULE OF LAW has 'FAILED'.

[string of curses, ad infinitum]

Does this "hold" actually do anything?

It's definitely not insurmountable. It basically throws one hurdle after the next blocking the bill from getting to the floor for a vote. Ultimately, it can be overcome, but it's real value is dealying it substantially, forcing debate on it, forcing etxreme measures to be taken to get it to the floor, etc. - Kagro, an expert on such matters, has a good post on its value here --

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/18/151928/04

Wow! Even though I was resigned and expecting it, Glenn's first column of the day really took the wind out of my knickers. Then this came along and the bloomers are billowing again! It's enough to give a semi-modest girl whiplash. ;->

Thanks to Glenn and Senator Dodd (the check is in the intertubes!) for continuing to paddle upstream against the wind and current. Dodd's courage in listening to us "wee people" and then acting on our concerns in such a direct fashion is the first thing I have seen from any presidential candidate that gives me hope for the future of our country.

Now I think I'll do a triple reverse layout away from the computer desk and sail out to the garden so I can keep this manic phase going just a little bit longer.

Even though I'm out of work, I gave to Dodd for what he did. It wasn't much but all I could afford. Please donate to him and ask your friends to do the same.

Does this "hold" actually do anything?"

It's definitely not insurmountable. It basically throws one hurdle after the next blocking the bill from getting to the floor for a vote. Ultimately, it can be overcome, but it's real value is dealying it substantially, forcing debate on it, forcing etxreme measures to be taken to get it to the floor, etc. - Kagro, an expert on such matters, has a good post on its value here --GG

Sure, it isn't iron-clad BUT...it is going to be REAL hard to overcome it considering the history of holds and the fact that Ensign's hold on campaign finance reform is still in effect after all this time. I mean, politically, how will THAT look for the Dems to run over one of their own who is standing up for the Bill of Rights and Constitution vs allowing Ensign, a friggin GOPer, who is holding up mere campaign finance reform. THAT would be an eye-opener over who has what priorities. And wait until you get to see how Obama and Clinton would vote vs Dodd's hold...minefield.

Dodd's courage really stands out in these dark times. I called the number you gave and they sent me to his web site to write a comment and help spread the word.

Sometimes I feel ready to pack in in and to shout impotently from a high window, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more!" But if people like Dodd are willing to stand up, then I am more than willing to work inch by inch, e-mail by e-mail, letter by letter, protest by protest. And as long as you are dedicated to shining a bright light in dark places, I will be reading.