"Nothing new here."
Feingold draws little support for censure
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer
Monday, March 13, 2006
WASHINGTON — Democrats distanced themselves Monday from Wisconsin Sen. Russell Feingold's effort to censure President Bush over domestic spying, preventing a floor vote that could alienate swing voters....
...Republicans dared Democrats to vote for the proposal....
..."A formal censure by Congress is an appropriate and responsible first step to assure the public that when the president thinks he can violate the law without consequences, Congress has the will to hold him accountable," Feingold said.
Even as he spoke, Democratic leaders held off the immediate vote that Majority Leader Bill Frist requested....
...The referral averted a debate and a vote that Democrats privately worried would alienate voters who could decide close elections.
Throughout the day, Feingold's fellow Democrats said they understood his frustration but they held back overt support for the resolution....
...Feingold's resolution accuses Bush of violating the Constitution and the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
It reads in part:
"Resolved that the United States Senate does hereby censure George W. Bush, president of the United States, and does condemn his unlawful authorization of wiretaps of Americans within the United States without obtaining the court orders required."
The resolution says censuring Bush also is warranted by "his failure to inform the full congressional intelligence committees as required by law, and his efforts to mislead the American people about the authorities relied upon by his administration to conduct wiretaps and about the legality of the program."
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Apparently, what we have here is another case of grandstanding by a a rogue operator who does not understand "The Way It's Done."
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue
Mike's Blog Round Up
47 minutes ago
2 comments:
What exactly are you saying, Shue? Feingold did what the people demanded, which is exactly what a Senator should do for his constituents.
I say you should help us spread the word about this tremendous development. I called fellow activists, encouraged them to call Congress, called into a radio show, and now I'm going to write a letter to the editor. Follow my lead?
The piece was intended as sarcasm. That is why I suggested that this action (on the part of the so-called Democratic Leadership) was typical of what we have come to expect from them.
I have certainly been supporting Sen. Feingold and intend to continue doing so.
Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue
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