Warrantless-spying debate puts Obama, Clinton in bind

WARRANTLESS-SPYING DEBATE PUTS OBAMA, CLINTON IN BIND
[SOURCE: The Hill, AUTHOR: Manu Raju]
A political landmine awaits Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) when the Senate takes up the hot-button issue of warrantless spying ahead of the pivotal Super Tuesday primary contests. The Democratic presidential candidates’ votes could either give Republicans a fresh opening to attack them as weak on national security or provoke a backlash from the Democratic base. Staying on the campaign trail, rather than returning to Capitol Hill, is no safe haven either. Campaigning instead of legislating would likely lead to griping from both sides about the candidates’ leadership on one of the most contentious issues facing the 110th Congress. “As close as things are in the presidential race, I think it would be in their interest to show where they stand,” said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the Washington legislative office of the American Civil Liberties Union. “If they don't, it will certainly be remarked upon by activists.”
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/warrantless-spying-debate-puts-obama-clinton-in-bind-2008-01-18.html