Perhaps WE Made A Difference?!?-Reid Admits Volume Of Calls On FISA Was HUGE!!!

[kpete]

From what I've heard from Senate offices, the volume of constituent calls on this issue was huge. Reid referenced that himself when he announced on the floor that consideration of the bill would be postponed:

"So, this is an issue that the American people are focused on. I've gotten in the last week or so, thousands of inquires from all around the country. This is an issue they understand, they don't like."
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/17/211634/20/514/423569

December 17, 2007

Reid: FISA Bill Deserves Ample Debate

Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today regarding the FISA bill:

“The Senate is committed to improving our nation’s intelligence laws to fight terrorism while protecting Americans’ civil liberties. We need to take the time necessary to debate a bill that does just that, rather than rushing one through the legislative process. While we had hoped to complete the FISA bill this week, it is clear that is not possible. With more than a dozen amendments to this complex and controversial bill, this legislation deserves time for thorough discussion on the floor.

“We will consider this bill when we return in January. In the meantime, I again encourage the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General to make available to all Senators the relevant documents on retroactive immunity, so that each may reach an informed decision on how to proceed on this provision. I oppose retroactive immunity, but believe every Senator must have access to the information to make this important decision.”

http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=289303&

...............

Some Stats on FISA Activism
posted by Matt Browner-Hamlin, Campaign Blogger on December 17, 2007 - 8:43pm
I thought you might be interested to read some of the statistics for what people have done through our site to lobby the Senate to stop retroactive immunity.

11,300+ people emailed the Senators (16,000 people visited the page, a 75% follow through rate)...

506,000+ emails were sent to the Senate...

5,700+ comments were submitted through the website (350+ were posted on Twitter) in 7 hours...

135+ people joined the Facebook group since 11am...

340 people reported the phone calls they made to the Senate...

Quite simply, between Chris Dodd's leadership and your activism, we were able to stop retroactive immunity today. The fight will continue next month, but with support like this I am confident that we can resume this fight and move towards victory.
http://chrisdodd.com/blog/some-stats-fisa-activism

[ThomWV]

1. I called Byrd, Rockefeller, Dodd, and Conrad's offices

And I should call Kennedy's, Feingolds, Boxers, and Feinsteins (hope I came close on those spellings) too.

[MikeNearMcChord]

2. If he wants to keep his job as majority leader

when the new congress meets in Jan'09, he damn well better listen.

[spanone]

3. wow, americans care about their privacy, how refreshing.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Another clue is Orrin Hatch's speech denouncing Blogs just before...

Reid's announcement.

Orrin thinks we lied about that nice FISA bill....

[Mojorabbit]

6. I don't think a lot of them

like having a well informed population. Much easier to pass stufdf when no one is watching. As if blogs aren't made up of regular people.

[FlyingSquirrel]

5. I tried to call, his mailbox was full so I emailed him yesterday. nt

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

7. I think there is, FINALLY, something happening in awareness,....

,...of the danger to our REAL LIFE FREEDOM.

Maybe, the costs of 'blackmail' finally are consumed by the benefits of tearing that criminal lot,...A-P-A-R-T!!!!

Be powerful and courageous.

[Lint Head]

8. I think political fear is setting in. The more often politicians are told

that they were elected to end the war and impeach Bush or they will not receive donations or votes the more likely they are to follow the people's wishes. :dem:

[malaise]

9. Bravo DUers

:yourock:

[bdamomma]

10. let's kick some a$$ you guys!!!!

enough is enough.

[cascadiance]

11. I think today is the day that the Democratic Party base constituency made a statement!

That you "centrist" types that think you can take us for granted any more, CAN'T! And there are MANY OTHER Americans in our camp that you have classified as "fringe left" that are the REAL moderates and are in fact a sizable and majority that won't just "go along to get along" any more!

Thank you Chris Dodd SO much for helping us make that statement today!