Why did Obama side with Republicans in 2005 and support "tort reform" favoring big corporations?

[Maven]

Obama supporters on this board are now spreading the lie that Hillary Clinton's housing proposal includes "tort reform" measures, which is completely and utterly FALSE. In fact, her proposal would make it harder for investment banks to bring suits in CONTRACT to enforce strict covenants that make it impossible for mortgage administrators to renegotiate with homeowners. In other words, it would help save homes.

But I'm glad the subject was brought up anyway, since it's a topic that should be discussed in light of Obama's support of the so-called Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, a bill that was written by the "tort reform" lobby, pushed aggressively by Bush/Cheney, and which every Senate Republican voted for--along with Barack Obama. (Clinton voted against it.)

It's a bill that makes it more difficult and expensive for individuals wronged by big business to mount class action lawsuits to seek redress for their injuries.

At the time, Congressman Ed Markey (D-Mass) called the bill "the final payback to the tobacco industry, to the asbestos industry, to the oil industry, to the chemical industry at the expense of ordinary families who need to be able go to court to protect their loved ones when their health has been compromised."

So tell me, Obama supporters: if Obama is such a friend to ordinary citizens, and Clinton is such a corporate shill, why did Obama vote for a Republican bill to deny injured people the right to sue big business?

Anyone?