FISA summary for the morning

[solarbird]

Today's FISA theatre went off as planned; all three amendments to remove or defer immunity and coverup were defeated, each needing 60 votes (because Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid upholds GOP holds, but not those of his own party), none getting more than 42. I liveblogged the debate and votes here. The Senate is in recess until 11:15am Pacific time; upon resumption of session, will vote on the final bill, which will pass overwhelmingly. Arlen Specter was the only Republican to vote for any of the attempts, voting for two of three.

Greenwald, as always, has analysis of what the Democrats have done here, and how so many Democrats have reversed themselves on this topic now that Senator Obama, presumptive Democratic nominee, so quickly. Emptywheel's liveblogging of and comments on the debate, including sections I don't have (I didn't get up until 6:45am) are here, with more (and vote coverage) here.

ETA: Greenwald linked to a youtube video of a Constitutional Law professor shredding both the law and Senator Obama's freakish endorsement. His link is broken because it got pulled down. Here's the video, reposted. It's worth watching if you're in a place where you can watch video. Audio required, of course. You can read more commentary on that here, at Isis Antonius (isisantonius).

ETA2: Wired's Threat Level reacts here, and talks about the Strange Bedfellows coalition here.

I'll post more when the Senate comes back from the break.

Comments

[isisantonius.livejournal.com]

I followed your link you left in comments at my pad. I really hope that bit of video doesn't get pulled, too. Watching it last night made me want to cry.

I'm going to be linking to your morning debate liveblog; thanks for doing that.

[solarbird]

You're welcome. I've started a second post liveblogging the final vote. It'll be short.