Threats for going against the party...

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

There was no chance in hell Republicans were going to support this. Here's why:

1. It's not politically expedient. If the bill doesn't work, they don't get any blame and they can blame Democrats to their hearts' content. If it does work, they count on people not remembering come election time that they didn't support it or at least giving them credit for being "careful."

Fixed it for you.

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Finally, someone said it! Thanks...

I said it in post # 5:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I don't think we elect Senators and representative to "think for themselves" per se. While I think we typically want them to do that, we elect them to represent us and to do what is in our best interests. One way we decide on which candidate we think we will reoresent us best is by party affiliation.

I presume that Snowe et al are confident that their own constituents will support the position they are taking, even if the Republican Party as a whole does not.