dc_dux

Host....I agree with you on Reid.

But I would still make retroactive telcomm immunity a bargaining chip with Republicans for a bill that ensures greater protections and oversight in the future.

I would have to think more about the best way to accomplish that within the framework of the competing Senate bills.

In any case, I think there is a strong likelihood that Dodd will challenge Reid again for majority leader next year, particularly if the Democrats pick up 3-4 seats (from among VA, NH, CO, NM, MN, OR)

With Bush's threatened veto of the House version that does not include tellcom immunity and the Senate debate over the two competing bills, the most likely outcome appears to be an 18 month extension of the Protect America Act (the short term FISA fixed passed last summer).

On further thought (after several hours):
A better alternative would be to just let the temporary Protect America Act expire on Feb.1 and not extend or attempt to amend it, but return to the pre-PAA version of FISA which had explicit requirements for warrants for any surveillance and did not need "fixing".....we simply needed better Congressional and FISA court oversight to ensure compliance by the Executive branch.

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