Although the federal government's need to Do Something
eventually won out, there was a diverse anti-bailout coalition in
the making. I was listening to a black radio station while riding
in a cab earlier today. The callers were overwhelmingly opposed to
the bailout and more than one singled out the House Republicans for
praise. One fellow thanked the House GOP for "finally standing up
and saying 'enough is enough.'" Of course, that is before enough of
them caved to give us too much of nothing.
UPDATE: Dave Weigel points out that members of the
Congressional Black Caucus amounted to a third of the Democratic
switchover in favor of the bailout package.