I never got a good explanation of why Feinstein is so interested in keeping these programs alive. What is her horse in the race here? Or does she honestly believe that these programs protect the safety of Americans?
My guess is that she sees her political fortunes as being tied to the programs. She is head of the Senate Intelligence Committee - she has been rubber-stamping them for years. If the NSA goes down, she goes down as an enabler.
You make a good point, but what is the benefit of going down with your ship here. It's not like the gun debate where there are two sides to pander to. In this scenario, there are people who hate spying, and people who don't care. I have not met anyone who wanted MORE spying...Shouldn't she just turn around and champion dismantling the NSA, to win popular support, so she can stay in power.
She chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee. Of course she must have a strong opinion, and its not surprising that the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee supports the status quo.
Why do you find it difficult to believe? Cognitive dissonance with the idea that a liberal Democrat would support massive surveillance of Americans? Obama does too. If you want to stop it, you'll need to start supporting Libertarian Republicans like Rand Paul.
