He was protecting obama from having to veto it.
Exactly right, but maybe not for obvious reasons. The only fight the Dems WANT to have before Reid is demoted in January is the immigration fight. This is a distraction to them. Further, they know that (a) Landrieu is going to lose to Cassidy regardless of the vote and (b) even if Landrieu stages a remarkable comeback and wins, the GOP will still control the Senate. The true test of sentiments will be which of the Dem Senators that voted FOR the XL pipeline this time, will vote against it when the GOP brings it up in the new Congress. Reid brought it up because it was NEVER going to get to 60 votes, but would be just about guaranteed to get 59, so enough of the 2-faced Dem Senators could go home and tell their sheeple that they supported it.