Ok. I have posted this suggestion in comments twice over the past week, and have gotten a very positive response. I thought it should be promoted to a Diary so that the members of the Kos community can exhibit both their support for what Chris Dodd is doing and also their displeasure at the lack of leadership being displayed by Harry Reid.
I think Reid's conduct concerning telecom immunity and the FISA bill is outrageous. But, unlike many of you, I do not believe he is capitulating to Bush so much, as he is providing cover for a bunch of weak-kneed, wimpy loser Democrats in his caucus.
These fools are the ones pushing this debacle, and who are pressuring Reid. That's why Reid isn't honoring Dodd's hold.
That's why he chose the Intelligence Committee Bill to introduce rather than the Judiciary Comittee version.
This brings me to my ultimate point.
Harry reid has no business being the Majority Leader. None. He is a failure in that role. He is a terrible advocate for the Democratic party, he comes from a swing state so he has to always be concerned about getting himself reelected, and he is not a very good leader. Most of all, he is so weak, he cannot even stand up to the members of his own caucus when they want to do something tremendously stupid.
But who to replace him with? I think this week has demonstrated that Chris Dodd is the natural candidate to replace Harry Reid as Majority Leader.
I think Dodd should issue a leadership challenge right of the box in the Next Congress.
I assume Dodd will not get the Democratic nomination, but becoming Majority Leader will be a nice consolation prize for all of his efforts and the leadership he has demonstrated.
Mind you, this will be a very difficualt thing to accomplish. Dodd will probably not get a lot of support -- unless WE put on a tremendous amount of pressure. That means telling members of the Democratic Senate caucuas that we support Dodd, and want to get rid of Harry Reid.
And we should start doing that now -- and keep up the pressure.
If you agree with me, please recommend this diary and get the word out.
The only way we are going to change things is to take matters into our own hands, it seems. So let's do it!
UPDATE: If you want to have a value added impact on the FISA debate, contact the DSCC. Tell them you are not going to give them a dime more of your money, and that you are going to work like hell on all of your fellow progressives and Democrats to do the same so long as the Senate Democrats keep doing George W. Bush's bidding, and fail to stand up for themselves, Democratic values and the Constitution.
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Phone (202) 224-2447
Fax (202) 969-0354
Tom Lopach, Finance Director
P.S. Those of you who get through to the DSCC please post the substance of your call and the DSCC's response. Real-time updates on activism will encourage others to do the same.
MEGA UPDATE: Kos is down with it!
2ND DAY UPDATE: Via Atrios, here is Chris Dodd: