Letters to the Editor
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Martin Gale
Isn't it possible that the Dems who voted for this
actually believe it's a good idea, not because they live in terror of M.C. Karl? We know what the media say, but the media say all sorts of things, especially about the Democrats. Have any of the Democrats who voted for this thing said it was a fear-based vote? And if not, how do you, or I, or someone typing for the NYT, know why they did it?
I'm sure some of them do, and I said that in the post. But the fact is that Democrats overwhelmingly voted AGAINST warrantless eavesdropping -- both before the midterm elections and now. They also overwhelmingly voted AGAINST the Military Commissions Act.
So it is hard to argue that they actually favor it as a group generally. They seem to oppose it, but something restrains them from really preventing its enactment. That is why political fear is the most likely explanation (rather than a belief in these programs).