Bob Ostertag (HuffPo): Obama, FISA and the Netroots

[highplainsdem]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-ostertag/obama-fisa-and-the-netroo_b_111116.html

Posted July 7, 2008 | 01:35 AM (EST)

The current dust-up in the Obama camp over this week's FISA vote may have real consequences for the rest of this campaign. As you may know, the largest "group" on the Obama campaign's social networking site, MyBarackObama.com, is now a group assembled to protest Senator Obama's reversal of his promise to filibuster against the FISA legislation up next week. Reading through the blogoshpere, many commenters appear baffled at the intensity of the passions involved, and criticize the protestors for making such a fuss over "just one issue." But there are good reasons why core activists have taken a strong stand, and why the campaign may look different after this is over.

For many Obama activists, a key issue that propelled them into campaign activism is dismantling the unconstitutional legal measures the Bush administration put in place in the aftermath of 9/11. The prison at Guantánamo, the secret CIA prisons scattered around the globe, the torture of prisoners, and the kangaroo courts set up to process them are the foreign pieces of this puzzle. Warrantless eavesdropping on Americans is the domestic piece. While understanding all the ins and outs of the FISA legislation requires a specialist's knowledge, the core issue is simple: are we working to return the country to the rule of constitutional law or not? (Click here for an excellent analysis of Obama's FISA statement by a specialist.)

-snip-

What Obama has done here is not a "refinement" of a policy position like he recently suggested concerning Iraq. It is an about face. Imagine how different next week would play out if the presumptive Democratic nominee was joining a filibuster on the floor of the senate, standing up for the constitutional rights of all Americans. The contrast between what would happen if Obama followed through on his promise, and what will happen if he doesn't, is night and day. (See this complete timeline of Obama's statements on the bill.)

-snip-

All of this is coming at a time in which Obama's schedule is filled with big-money fundraisers where people can buy face time with the man for $30k. Put all these things together, and one cannot help but wonder if there is a turning point, that from here on out the campaign is will be less of a grassroots affair. This is not the death knell of the campaign. Far from it. I think Obama can do very well against McCain with a traditional, top down, big money campaign. I think he will be sworn in as our next president in January. But it will be a different campaign than what it has been until now. As one commenter to my blog so aptly said, "Senator Obama, you can tap my phone or my wallet, but not both."

[NattPang]

1. Some are keeping their fingers crossed.

Please let it be the end of Obama.
Please, please, please, please. :sarcasm:

[spag68]

2. Are you crazy?

Why would you hope for the end of Obama? He is our candidate for better or worse,it's to late to change. We can hope he will not support this crap, but to hope for his end is to cut our own throat. He can be a lot of things, but he is not McSame, and that will have to do for me.

[skooooo]

4. Nattpang didn't say the he/she wished that..

...just said that some people are wishing that.

[NattPang]

6. I just learned how to do the Smilie lookup thing earlier today,

and forgot to use it. :blush:

[skooooo]

7. Well..

....I read it and didn't have any trouble understanding it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. For some folks being critical of Obama means people want

McCain to win

This is tinged by fear... and it is emotion speaking

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Wrong, people will STILL VOTE FOR HIM

but they will not send money any more, or carry signs

They will talk to neighboors and tell them to vote for Obama

But see, I've got local races that need the money just as much, if not more

There is where a lot of the effort will be redirected

This is a MORAL decision

I fear folks are having trouble with this

But here from the article

Obama changed that for me. I sent him money. I phone banked. I held street signs. I don't know if I am going to continue with all that. I will vote for Obama of course. I will continue to urge everyone I know to vote for him. But my money and time, paltry though they may be, will likely get redirected to candidates who are willing to stand up for issues I care about. And because of the Internet, I know that there are a lot of other Obama supporters in the same boat; a lot of people considering cutting off their string of small donations to the campaign.

All of this is coming at a time in which Obama's schedule is filled with big-money fundraisers where people can buy face time with the man for $30k. Put all these things together, and one cannot help but wonder if there is a turning point, that from here on out the campaign is will be less of a grassroots affair. This is not the death knell of the campaign. Far from it. I think Obama can do very well against McCain with a traditional, top down, big money campaign. I think he will be sworn in as our next president in January. But it will be a different campaign than what it has been until now. As one commenter to my blog so aptly said, "Senator Obama, you can tap my phone or my wallet, but not both."

[DFLforever]

8. And then complain because he's turned to big fundraisers?

Kind of self-defeating logic, isn't it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Read the article? He is already turning to big fundraisers

trust me, I cannot give him 30K

[NattPang]

10. I thought that on the $28,500 it is $2,300 for Obama

or $2,300 for his primary fund
$2,300 for his ge fund
$2,300 for Hillary,
and the rest for the DNC.

That might be why
Obama is doing big fundraisers
not just for himself.

[DFLforever]

11. That's it exactly.

They're trying to make up the $46 million advantage the RNC has.

[MarjorieG]

12. And the money funneling into those Governors fund, the Bob Perrys. Need to fight RW book on Obama.

[DFLforever]

13. I didn't mean you , Nadin, I meant the article writer

I think some of the more famous bloggers are having delusions of grandeur this week.

I'm a humble net-root but I have no plans of discontinuing any help, financial or otherwise, I'm contributing to Obama's campaign.

In fact I'm going to step up further to the plate to make up for the conflicted.

Yes, we can. }(

[NattPang]

14. Me too!

Whatever I was going to give,
I'm going to give double.
I'm donating all the way
until November 5th.
Once a week, something.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. I have a local house race that needs my help a lot more

trust me

Obama will get plenty of volunteers, but this guy needs a lot of help

And once we get back from a trip, the first in ten years, I intend to go volunteer a day or two at least

Gas prices will prevent me doing much more than just some of what I'd like to

As to the blogosphere, people are disappointed. and it is the web, so now you read what was discussed over local tables (among activists that is, most people are not engaged yet)

Oh and here is the guy

http://lumpkinforcongress.com/

He is going against Hunter's son

[midnight]

16. It is like Obama is sleep walking. I wish he would wake up.

[Kaylee]

17. The left is going to drive me more insane than the right.....

:banghead:

[Phx_Dem]

18. All of this

from our own party. No wonder we always lose.