The only one to vote against the Patriot Act both times was Russ Feingold.

 2008: Not so much of a campaign shocker: Biden puts forth the sentiment that patriotism is about paying even more taxes, Obama supports this by telling Joe it's about spreading the wealth, while Obama refuses to wear an American flag/pin, put his hand over his heart during the national anthem, and who' to say.. perhaps will advocate for the African American National Anthem http://www.holyangels.com/The%20African%20American% 20National%20Anthem.htm

My, what a difference the discussion of patriotism has become in four years. 

The Patriot Act will probably be renewed sometime next year, especially if Bush manages to win re-election. Even though it won't hurt Bush as much as say, re-instating the draft, it definitely won't help Bush having the very constitutionality of his policies being debated by the opposition. It's very controversial, so Bush really can't benefit from this. People say that the Patriot Act is important for national security, but broadly it seems to me that it just acts to weakens some of our constitutional rights, such as the 4th Amendment Due Process clause. What's the point of security when our freedoms are slowly being eroded. Yes, with terrorism on the rise, we do need better security measures, but that does not mean that the judiciary should gain more power than is needed.

Paranoia gone mad. I agree every country should look after itself, but then it's your hard earned freedoms you are losing...not the terrorists. Whilst it is understandable one would want to do everything to guard against terrorism,now all bona fide people doing business with the States have to have a fingerprint and photo, kept on file even if they are no longer in the country. Most citizens living elsewhere would resent the US Government dictatorship having their personal records. Freedoms, huh!

Haven't I mentioned this before? The rabidly bi-partisan 9/11/01 Commission has recommended, clearly, unequivocally, that the Patriot Act MUST be renewed, AND it doesn't go far enough to protect Americans from a similar attack by a similar group. You get to do the math now. UPDATE: Clarifying the differences in the candidates: Bush will renew the Patriot Act, and you'll be safer but less free (to do exactly what? I'm not sure). Kerry will not, your risk goes up (but you'll enjoy . . .well . . . I'm not sure what freedoms you'll enjoy, but the terrorists appreciated those freedoms in 1999, 2000 and 2001).

As a general rule, any precipitate action taken during a time of great fear is likely to be morally (or constitutionally) wrong. The Patriot Act is the most recent example, though history provides examples that are much worse.

Keep in mind I am rating this on the probability, not my opinion. Anyway, the Patriot Act is set to expire next year. Considering the serious blow it has dealt to our Civil Liberties, it is crucial that it does not get successfully renewed.