"I have been briefed on the terrorist surveillance program..." - Senator Diane Feinstein
This is why we may not capture the House this November (let alone the Senate). Even the leaders of the party adopt the Republican talking points. Worse yet, doing so concedes the battle ground to the Republicans by arguing with their definitions in their framing.
"I have been briefed on the
CITIZEN surveillance program..." - all Democratic Senators
Now we can imagine the squeeling emanating from the Republicans that such a statement would bring forth. This is exactly what is needed. They are not only responding to our definition, but they have set up our framing.
"to refer to the Terrorist surveillance program is simply outrageous and dispicable" - GOP shrill of the day
"Prove it. Prove it is not the CITIZEN surveillance program. We no longer just "trust" this adminstration. They have stalled, manipulated, and lied about any kind of oversight. Because congress and the court has been kept completely in the dark about the CITIZEN surveillance program, congress has to assume the Bush administration is conducting domestic surveillance. When it comes to the soul of America, our Constitution, congress has the absolute power of oversight. We are bound by our oath of office. This Republican Congress has not only not performed any oversight, they have authorized every Bush administration failure to date." - all Democratic Senators
This fight can not only be won, but will define this waning congress and our counry's future direction. The CITIZEN surveillance program must be the dominate debate with congress until it's final recess.
This is the definition; trust who?. This is the frame; accountablity.
Update (very very good news)via Glenn Greenwald
Sen. Harry Reid participated in a conference call with a dozen or so bloggers this afternoon.
Sen. Reid stated flatly and unequivocally -- and I'm paraphrasing -- that the Specter bill was not going anywhere, that it would not be enacted
...In response, Sen. Reid explained that our system does not allow every bill to be enacted simply because a majority supports it, that Senate rules allow minority rights to be protected, clearly alluding to a filibuster. Indeed, as part of that vow, Sen. Reid specifically referenced the fact that in the Senate, one does not need 50%, but only 40%, to block the enactment of a bill.