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Sure, each congressperson has their own opinion. But this observation provides no explanatory power. As others have said, one crude characterization of D/R sp
by mturmon 13y ago
Sure, each congressperson has their own opinion. But this observation provides no explanatory power.
As others have said, one crude characterization of D/R split is that R is generally more supportive of spending for national security. I think this provides the ideological basis for the D/R split.
The interests of the President are not aligned with those of Congress in this case: the President is a consumer of the intel. This is why the D's in Congress did not follow him.
Additionally, I suspect that Congresspersons have noticed that their constituents are getting restless about intel collection. Obama doesn't have to run for election again, but they do.
As an observer of politics, I too find this vote very interesting.
- ars 13y ago> As others have said, one crude characterization of D/R split is that R is generally more supportive of spending for national security. The split clearly doesn't work in this case. I think the reason is that R is more concerned with privacy than D. Also R likes looking strong to other countries - this means spending on the military, they are not interesting in spending for the sake of spending. But the NSA fiasco does not make the US look strong in front of other countries. D is more concerned with looking good in front of other countries (as opposed to strong), and the NSA situation doesn't do that either. I suspect the ones that voted for it believe that the increase in security is worth the loss of face.
- mturmon 13y agoAs posted elsewhere here: Republicans: 94 yea, 134 nay (41% in favor) Democrats: 111 yea, 83 nay (57% in favor) It's not as party-line as many high-profile votes, but it's a significant difference.