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« The End Days of the Cult of Republicanism. | Main | Thank you. Now Sen. Clinton? »

Leadership. And not.

By Tom | October 19, 2007

Today, Sen. Obama said he opposes the FISA bill reported out of the Senate Intelligence Committee — with Telco immunity included. No word so far from Sen. Clinton.

The statement released by the Obama campaign, says this:

“I have consistently opposed this Administration’s efforts to use debates about our national security to expand its own power, whether that was on the Iraq war, or on its power grab to curb our civil liberties through domestic surveillance programs. It is time to restore oversight and accountability in the FISA program, and this proposal — with an unprecedented grant of retroactive immunity — is not the place to start.”

Notice that there is nothing here that says what the Senator/Presidential Candidate would actually DO about his opposition. He doesn’t even say he’ll vote against it, let alone join Sen. Dodd blocking the measure.

Leadership is about doing the right thing and doing it visibly, when it matters, and with passion, so the people you represent have someone and something to follow. It is not waiting until the issue is resolved (even temporarily) and then issuing a tepid statement or slipping in at the last minute to quietly cast a vote on a bill that’s already decided.

Sen. Obama: if you’re not willing to do what’s right on your own, at least hire a new consultant.

Topics: Politics |

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