agreed, especially how quickly it came together and how hard the Dem establishment came down on it. I hope that this is the seed for a strongly bi-partisan group of legislators concerned about civil liberties.
Republicans: 94 yea, 134 nay (41% in favor)
Democrats: 111 yea, 83 nay (57% in favor)
Source: knew a couple of people who had worked as aides to congresscritters
"Rotating Villains strike again: Just enough liberals inexplicably voted no on NSA restrictions to make it the way Obama wanted."
Sad that this was my first thought.
I had looked when I posted my comment so I could link it along with the numbers, but 25 mins ago it wasn't up yet.
There was some great coverage of this on the BBC[1] earlier today, before the result was known:
(Quotation begins)
However, the White House said the measure would deprive the intelligence agencies of a key tool in preventing terror attacks.
"This blunt approach is not the product of an informed, open or deliberative process," said spokesman Jay Carney.
(Quotation ends)
[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23430126 (emphasis added)