Fun To See Them Caving For A Change

Looks like we're going to get a FISA extension. I don't very much like the Protect America Act, and personally I'd prefer to see it expire and go back to the initial FISA law, add a patch for foreign-to-foreign communications, and have that be that. But it's nice watching Mitch McConnell squirm.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell relented on Monday and said he would offer a short-term extension of an anti-terror surveillance law, set to expire this week, as he seeks immunity for telephone companies.

The Kentucky Republican made the announcement as he pushed for passage of a stalled bill to replace the temporary law, which expanded the power of U.S. authorities last August to conduct electronic surveillance of enemy targets without a court order.

Meanwhile, Senator Obama delivered a strong rebuke of retroactive immunity for the telecom industry, and most important, praised the grassroots effort to derail it.

A grassroots movement of Americans has pushed this issue to the forefront. You have come together across this country. You have called upon our leaders to adhere to the Constitution. You have sent a message to the halls of power that the American people will not permit the abuse of power – and demanded that we reclaim our core values by restoring the rule of law.

It's time for Washington to hear your voices, and to act. I share your commitment to this cause, and will stand with you in the fights to come. And when I am President, the American people will once again be able to trust that their government will stand for justice, and will defend the liberties that we hold so dear as vigorously as we defend our security.

This is why, ultimately, Obama is a preferable option, because he understands the power of a mobilized movement for change.

We have a long way to go to break the establishment desire to subvert the rule of law. But let's savor this moment. The people are ruling the day in the United States Senate, for just a moment.

UPDATE: The House passed a 15-day extension on FISA, and the Senate is expected to comply, with a signature by the President. We win a round.