Edwards says Senate Dems lack ‘backbone’

Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) is laying the groundwork to attack Democratic presidential front-runners Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) on some of the key issues that they will be forced to vote on during the primary season.

Edwards on Thursday said it is “time for Senate Democrats to show a little backbone and stand up to George W. Bush and the corporate lobbyists” on a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) measure that would give retroactive immunity to telecommunications corporations.

{mosads}The Senate is currently debating an extension of FISA legislation enacted last year that is set to expire on Feb. 1.

By criticizing the bill now, Edwards puts himself in a position to criticize Clinton and Obama for not doing enough to fight against corporate interests if the legislation passes. However, Clinton and Obama do not support giving immunity to the telecommunications companies.

The former senator also criticized a tentative deal reached Thursday between Democrats and Republicans on a stimulus package aimed to boost the ailing economy.

“This is another example of Washington deserting working people and the middle class,” Edwards said. “They gave $70 billion of tax breaks that do nothing for those who’ve lost their jobs.”

The stimulus legislation, once a final deal is ironed out, is expected to pass with broad bipartisan support. Edwards, however, said Democrats should use the looming economic crisis to advance their own agenda.

“George Bush will sign whatever economic stimulus package that is sent to him by the Congress,” Edwards said. “The Congress needs to stand its ground. They need to insist on unemployment insurance modernization.”

Attacking Congress, and especially the Senate, is not a new tactic for Edwards.

Last year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) chided Edwards for criticizing the senators running for president on Iraq.

“I care a great deal about John Edwards,” Reid said at the time. “But he’s not in the Senate; I am. … He doesn’t have to cast votes here in the Senate; we do.”