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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. | 
