Last week, during his press conference, Bush became indignant with a demand for an upordown vote on FISA in the House. Bush insisted that if the House was allowed such a vote, it would pass. It was tempting to dismiss his words as the ramblings of a madman, since there had already been an upordown vote on FISA in the House, but it was clear he was talking about something reality based.
Talk about a kick in the gut, the President announced the Democrat's plan to screw America, and the base, before the snakes who substitute as Democratic Party leaders bothered to reveal their treachery. Keep in mind, there is only one reason to hold a second vote, and that is to capitulate.
The Republicans had boycotted the Conference Committee meetings. The Committee's task was to reconcile the Senate version of FISA which includes immunity for the administration and the House version, which did not include amnesty. It could have ended there, but the Democratic leadership in both Chambers want immunity as much as the Administration does, so capitulation was inevitable. The challenge from the leadership's perspective was to conceal their objective. It took some thought, but they managed. The Republicans are rightfully gleeful.
House Democrats may move to split spy bill
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"The objective would be to pass something that is less controversial," yet still allow Democrats to register their objections to the immunity provision, said one senior Democratic aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and other party leaders have yet to reach a decision on the matter.
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Republican officials said they likely would back the proposal to divide the bill into two pieces, as long as there was no delay in taking up the immunity provision. "We would be OK with that as long as the immunity provision [can] become law," said Michael Steel, spokesman for House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).
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Officials from both sides acknowledged that there are probably enough votes in the House to pass the measure protecting telephone companies. But splitting the bill would give Democrats who oppose the immunity provision political cover for voting in favor of the broader legislation.
Once again, the Party leadership bamboozled the base. To their credit, this charade was better choreographed than any earlier. In fact, it was downright believable that they would stand strong for a while. Their challenge is that the next time they set up the base it will have to be an even grander production, but they seem up to it.
Why affiliate with the Democratic Party?