Both sides of the aisle?

Reader question:

Please explain this sentence, particularly “both sides of the aisle”:

This year the New York State presidential primary actually matters, and candidates from both sides of the aisle have been crisscrossing the region to gather support and raise the awareness of their campaigns.

My comments:

Well, both sides of the aisle stand for both of the two American political parties, Republicans and Democrats.

First, to paraphrase:

This year’s New York State presidential primary actually matters. Unlike in other years previously, whoever won New York State didn’t matter. This year, it looks like he/she who wins New York State may go on to win it all.

It looks that way, that is.

So, therefore, both Republicans and Democrats are kept busy running hither and thither, i.e. from this place to that, telling people what their platforms (policies) are and asking for their vote.

Now, back to “both sides of the aisle”. The aisle refers to the passage in the center of a large room separating rows of seats on either side. In the American House of Representatives, or Congress, there is such an aisle in the middle of the hall to allow Republicans and Democrats to be seated on opposite sides.

This setup, which is also the case in the Senate, is borrowed from Britain. Presumably this seating arrangement allows onlookers to distinguish one party from the other clearly, but is thus designed perhaps also to avoid fist fights between political foes.

Well, never mind if it is by design, fist fights between politicians were sort of commonplace in the old days.

At any rate, putting members of the two parties on each side of the aisle certainly helps, if not in terms of limiting fist fights then making it easier for people and members themselves to be sure which side they’re on.

They’re always supposed to support policy proposals put forward by their own party, you know, and vote against anything raised by the other party. If they support any proposals by the other party, on the other hand, they’re known to have crossed the line, the imaginary line in the middle of the aisle separating the two parties. In other words, it’s as if they walked cross the aisle and joined the other party.

Well, enough ado about politics. Let’s read a few more media examples to put “both sides of the aisle” firmly in their place, if you know what I mean:

1. Shortly after a federal appeals court ruled the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional, the Senate Wednesday approved a resolution “expressing support for the Pledge of Allegiance” and asking Senate counsel to “seek to intervene in the case.”

The resolution passed 99-0.

The Senate resolution came about quickly after lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were outraged as news spread of the decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court ruled the Pledge of Allegiance is an unconstitutional “endorsement of religion” because of the addition of the phrase “under God” in 1954 by Congress.

In an impassioned speech on the Senate floor just before the resolution vote, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, said he is the only remaining member of Congress who voted for the addition of “under God” on June 7, 1954. He warned the judges who declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional to never come before him because “he’ll be blackballed.”

“I wonder if that judge would hold the Declaration of Independence unconstitutional,” said Byrd.

“I hope the Senate will waste no time in throwing this back in the face of this stupid judge. Stupid, that’s what he is.”

- Senators call Pledge decision ‘stupid’, CNN.com, June 27, 2002.

2. Republicans are trying to pass a bill that helps foreign students with degrees in science and technology. They would issue up-to 55,000 visas to students with masters or doctoral degrees. The bill is in the House of Representatives.

The bill eliminates the 55,000 visas given out by lottery to immigrants from countries that do not have large numbers of immigrants in the U.S.

Democrats favor bills that add to the number of science visas but do not want to reduce the number of lottery visas. Some Democrats want to do this in a two-year pilot program. It would add 50,000 visas to the 55,000 already given out.

Currently, graduates have to apply for a visa, or green card. The process can take years before a visa is granted.

In 2009 foreigners made up about 45 percent of all graduate students in science and technology. They earned 52 percent of all new doctoral degrees in those fields.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York City, a strong advocate of high-skilled immigration, urged lawmakers not to miss the moment. “There are real options for immigration reform on the table now, and from both sides of the aisle.”

If the bill passes in the House of Representatives, the Senate will take it up after the election.

- Both Parties Seeking Educated Immigrants, TheTimesInPlainEnglish.com, September 24, 2012.

3. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were up in arms on Tuesday after it was revealed Governor Robert Bentley gave five cabinet members big raises while the general fund struggles.

Four members of the governor’s cabinet received a raise of $73,405. Those members include ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson, Economic and Community Affairs Director Jim Byard, Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee and Insurance Commissioner Jim Ridling.

The fifth member to receive a raise was Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar who received a raise of $64,000.

With the General Fund Budget short on cash, it left some lawmakers frustrated.

“Well it was a terrible time when we are trying to fund money for medicaid, and to try and balance the General Fund Budget,” said Rep. John Knight. “State employees have not had a raise in eight years, and we can’t do it in this budget so it was terrible timing on it.”

- Lawmakers furious after Gov. Bentley gives 5 cabinet members huge raises, WSFA.com, March 16, 2016.

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About the author:

Zhang Xin is Trainer at chinadaily.com.cn. He has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.

（作者：张欣 编辑：丹妮）