Nothing about any of this feels right.
Assume DiFi has something on Murkowski.
Murkowski now will vote present ? to keep Maines away ?
1 yes vote lost and 1 no vote lost.
Maines stays away an Murkowski now votes no.
Manchin reneges. Now 2 yes votes lost. and 2 no votes gained.
I trust no one ‘cept Pres. DJTrump
Murkowski is voting present to offset Daines not being there.
This smells like a possible clever deep state trap.
We are depending on the "word" of Murkowski to vote "Present!", and both Flake and Manchin to vote "Aye!". Then we took one of our solid "Aye!" votes off the board so he could attend a wedding.
What could possibly go wrong with that plan? Have we left our King unnecessarily exposed on the "word" of the weakest links in the Senate?
Hopefully, this won't be the most disastrous wedding party in history. It ain't over 'til it's over.
I agree. The repubs are playing Charlie Brown football again with Lucy. Daines should be there to vote Yes. If I were his daughter I would insist he stay and vote. The future of America is at stake. He was elected to do this vote.
If your scenario occurs, McConnell does one of two things....easiest, he holds the vote open until Dianes get back...or he has a yes vote switch to no, then after the vote, the designated no vote, having voted on the prevailing side, asks for reconsideration the next day. Either way, McConnell cannot be tricked on this.