I'm a bit surprised that (1) Senate Republicans were obstinate enough to make such a stupid party line vote and (2) the Democratic party isn't making a peep about it.
It's almost like everyone is so bogged down in the weed counting votes and looking up procedural rules that the big picture has been ignored. Thing about it: even the the GOP has the ability to vote against the bill and a chance at a filibuster that would even prevent that vote, every single Republican that was in the chamber voted against even DEBATING the bill.
They can spin all they want, but with two other points in the process for them to object,i, the only conclusion is that they are simply against any reform to the extent that they don't want to even talk about it. They voted against debate -- the same party that was screaming "up and down" vote for eight years voted party line against even talking about the Senate HCR bill.
Perhaps they are scared that a popular Democratic program will crush them in the long term. Perhaps they are trying to "waterloo" the President. Or perhaps they've been hypnotized by Rush, Glen, and the Bachman. Or perhaps all of the above.
Whatever the reason, it was a stupid move since the real fight is over ending debate -- not STARTING debate -- and left a wide opening for Democrats (if they'd bother to open their eyes).
