Why was there even a question whether the second half of the TARP fund would be released to Obama?

[wyldwolf]

Oh, yeah! 2010 elections...

The vote to release the TARP funding was pretty much along party lines, with most Democrats voting to release the funding. Below a list of the exceptions.

Nine Democrats voted NOT to release the funds: Bayh (IN), Cantwell (WA), Dorgan (ND), Feingold (WI), Lincoln (AR), Ben Nelson (NE), Shaheen (NH), Sanders (VT), Wyden (OR).

Six Republicans voted to release the money: Alexander (TN), Gregg (NH), Kyl (AZ), Lugar (IN), Snowe (ME), Voinovich (OH).

Those above up for re-election in 2010: Bayh, Lincoln, Dorgan, Feingold, Wyden, and Gregg.

There were some interesting splits. The Republican senators from Maine, Arizona, and Tennessee split (one vote for, the other against). Meanwhile, Democrats from Oregon, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Washington, and North Dakota split. (Vermont split sort of, but Sanders is an independent.)

Reverse state splits: The Democrat from Indiana (Bayh) voted against Obama, but the Republican (Lugar) voted with him. And the Democrat from New Hampshire (Shaheen) voted against Obama; the Republican (Gregg) voted with him.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/15/1746382.aspx

[bluestateguy]

1. The bailout was unpopular but I can't really think of a Rep./Sen. who paid a price for voting for it

Was anyone voted out as a consequence for voting for the bailout in October?

[wyldwolf]

3. none I can think of.

[Demeter]

2. Because Giving All that Money and Power to a Democrat Is Unthinkable

It was Paulson's money to spend! Or so Hank thinks.