It's the difference between Republicans and true conservatives. Conservatives care about the Constitution. Republicans care about the Republican Party.

Two reasons:

-They would never appear "weak" on security. Its a staple issue and the only play remaining in GOP game book, ie scare tactic hail mary

-Herd mentality. McCain is the new face of "what's next" for the GOP. Support dear leader and he shall lead them to the promise land.

The GOP is a highly disciplined party and the Democrats could never figure out how to be that way.

This discipline goes back at least deep into the 20th century.

Part of the problem with the Democrats is that they had to deal with the aftermath of the Civil War for decades. The GOP was never a sectional party -- as it had no origins in the south, whereas the Democrats split along sectional lines (see, for example, the 1860 election). Then the Democrats changed constituencies as FDR redeveloped political lines along economic class rather than geography.

Obama is an interesting candidate because he is from the mid-West, is associated with the black subculture in America, and yet appeals to many wealthy individuals. That is why he may well redefine the political landscape as no politician has since Reagan.

The GOP is lockstep because they think this is a winning issue for them. And they've been right that aggressive national security posturing has been winning for much of the last half century.

Also, they are generally lockstep team players. Dems are more likely to claw each other's eyes out over disagreements. Republicans put it aside to win.

It's ashame that these clowns are so good at winning electionms when they can't run the country very well.

You know that Obama capitulating on this issue is precisely the break that the GOP needed. I can only wonder when this is looked back on if this moment will not be similar to the moment when Bill and Hillary had a host of remarks concerning race accrued to them around SC this year, or when Kerry was voted for it and against it.

The percent of independents and conservatives that had this as a top-tier issue on principle, the simple principle that there was a violation of the law, and that that violation was against the US public, as a matter of principle needed to be addressed, as a more important issue than other issues.. is certainly higher than any cross over votes that Obama would get being a me-too candidate on security.

That simple.

And each time I see Obama in print or media I think of his flip-flop and lack of principles.

As an example:

Feingold on FISA sham bill: “Senators should take a real hard look at whether they want to be associated with such an attack on the rule of law”

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/07/08/feingold-on-fisa-sham-bill-senators-should-take-a-real-hard-look-at-whether-they-want-to-be-associated-with-such-an-attack-on-the-rule-of-law/

New York Times Editorial: Compromising the Constitution by Sanctioning Illegal Actions by the Bush Administration and the Telecom Companies. The House Revised FISA Law Condones Criminal Behavior. 7/8

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/opinion/08tue1.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

The real point here is that Obama alienated the left and the right on this vote.

Really he offended the people who know the difference between right and wrong.

And those educated, informed, higher income voters, whom to "principles mattered" see Obama for what he is, a greasy opportunist who will just say or do anything to meet a short term need.

Lou Dobbs has been slamming him all along, but to tell the truth, I didn't agree with all of what Obama advocated, but thought the principle of "rule of law" was sufficient matterial to be POTUS.

Now I'm convinced that Obama lacks the judgement and the sensibilities of that trust irrespective of the vote today.

Obama has no damn credibilty when he helps draft the legislation to prevent telco immunity and then votes against his own bill.

Obama is just a shuck and jive opportunist and his supporters rubes trying to rationalize the dissonance of his obvious contemt of civil rights.

Shuck and Jive, Shuck and Jive...

I'm sure the Clintons are pissed, they essentially made this point to no avail.