Say Anything Blog

Obama’s statement on FISA is going to tick off most of the ardent Bush-haters on the left.  Here’s a taste:

“It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay. So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives - and the liberty - of the American people.”

I think he’s being a bit wishy-washy here, but for once I basically agree with him.

But what’s interesting is seeing how post-primary Obama, who no longer has to pander to the far-left Democrat base and now has to scoop up support from mainstream Americans, reacts to policy.  Remember, when he was in the heat of the primary season, Obama voted against a FISA bill not at all unlike the one he’s now support saying that he wouldn’t Bush put “put protections for special interests ahead of our security and our liberty.”

And what does this FISA bill Obama now supports contain?  Protections (necessary in my estimation) for telecommunications companies that cooperated with the federal government in anti-terror operations.

If it wasn’t clear to you before it should be now: Obama will say anything, and do anything, to get elected.

Which isn’t so much the “politics of change” as “politics as usual.”