You need to captialize, bold and increase the font of that initial "If". What happens if Romney picks a senator as a VP candidate? He'll be largely out for the rest of the campaign. Have another senator stuck in traffic and then the Dems can pass it. I don't know how long it takes for Harry Reid to count noses and then sprint the treaty to the Senate floor for a quick vote. Can the anti-LOST Republicans delay it by an hour, a day or a week to have their full number? Or can Reid, McCain and the like use parliamentary rules to have a quick vote? I really don't know. I would feel a lot better if 40 Republicans publicly stated their intent to vote against ratification. Being right on the razor's edge just begs for Dem dirty tricks.
Methinks you’re getting a little too paranoid about this.
There are protocols on voting in the senate, cloture vote standards, debates, parliamentary procedures, delaying tactics and so forth. Inhofe has indicated there will be more “no” votes if this treaty comes to the floor. Typically, in down times or lame duck sessions, both parties post “parliamentary sentries” to make sure that neither side tries any shenanigans.
Just keep up the pressure on your senators.
At the 11:10 mark....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPS-VsEUZ08&feature=player_embedded