Powell on 'Spineless' Democrats and FISA
Here’s a clip from Matt Stoler’s interview of Democratic Congressional candidate Kevin Powell (who is trying to unseat Representative Ed Towns of Brooklyn), where the two discuss the FISA bill that recently passed both houses on Congress, and which many on the left opposed. (Barack Obama faced criticism from progressives over the bill, which he voted for.)
About halfway through, Powell says, “We’ve lost our backbone.” He adds later, “A lot of us have become spineless Democrats.”
Towns voted against FISA.
In case you’re wondering, Democratic members of Congress from New York who supported FISA include Tim Bishop and Carolyn McCarthy of Long Island; Gary Ackerman, Greg Meeks and Joe Crowley of Queens; Eliot Engel of the Bronx; Nita Lowey of Westchester; Kirsten Gillibrand of Albany; and upstate's Mike Arcuri and Brian Higgins.
Stoller also praises Powell for trying to build a multi-racial coalition. "Powell was more explicit about this than anyone I've seen in politics, on the record," he said.
- Poll
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- McCain(R)
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- Obama +2.9
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- 34.9
- +19.1
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An Open Letter to My Congressman:
Rep. Gary Ackerman
218-14 Northern Boulevard
Bayside, NY 11361
Phone: (718) 423-2154
http://www.house.gov/ackerman
Dear Congressman Ackerman,
As a registered member of the Working Families Party, I recently signed the petition supporting the parties endorsement of you on their ballot for re-election in November.
As your constituent, I'd like to express my deepest disappointment with you for voting for the FISA Amendments Act of 2008.
As you know, the bill grants sweeping new spying powers to the President and will leave little court oversight to protect privacy rights.
The bill also capitulates to some of the most powerful corporations in the U.S. by giving immunity to telecommunication companies that broke the law by helping the Administration spy on the phone calls and e-mails of innocent Americans.
I look to you to represent me in Washington by faithfully upholding the Constitution and the civil liberties of all Americans. Your vote on this issue does the opposite of that.
It greatly frustrated me to see you vote for this bill and I hope you will vote for civil liberties and the Constitution in the future.
Sincerely,
Mr. Steven R. Zessman
Bayside, NY
* Congressman Ackerman (D, WFP), 5th C.D. NY