MoveOn to Obama: Keep Your Word, Filibuster Telecom Immunity

John Amato, Crooks and Liars: I know many readers were upset with Obama’s response to the newly passed Hoyer/FISA bill that granted the Telecoms retroactive immunity. If he brings up an amendment to strip the immunity provision in the Senate next week and it fails–then–what’s the point, right? Greg Sargent said “Why Obama’s Support For FISA Cave-In Is Such A Downer.”

MoveOn, who supported Obama during the primary fight has just issued a letter asking Obama to keep his word:

On Friday, House Democrats caved to the Bush administration and passed a bill giving a get-out-of-jail-free card to phone companies that helped Bush illegally spy on innocent Americans.

This Monday, the fight moves to the Senate. Senator Russ Feingold says the “deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation.” Barack Obama announced his partial support for the bill, but said, “It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses.”

Last year, after phone calls from MoveOn members and others, Obama went so far as to vow to “support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies.” We need him to honor that promise.

Can you call Senator Obama today and tell him you’re counting on him to keep his word? Ask him to block any compromise that includes immunity for phone companies that helped Bush break the law.

• Obama’s presidential campaign: (866) 675-2008.
• Then, help us track our progress by clicking here.
• Sign the petition here.

Blue America Pac remarkably has raised over 300K so far. Please continue to join in.

UPDATE. Obama: “I’ll Work To Strip Telecom Immunity From FISA”: Barack Obama clarified his statement in support of H.R. 6304, the so-called telecom immunity bill, and said he would try to strip a provision granting immunity to telecommunication companies when the bill comes to a vote in the Senate next week.

“[The bill] does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work
in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses.”

The House approved the legislation 293-129 and H.R. 6304 received the support of DINO House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

From the Left calls on the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, to join with Sen. Chris Dodd next week when the legislation comes before the Senate for a vote and uphold the Constitution and strip the retroactive immunity portion from the bill.