Flake is one of the most conservative members of Congress. However, on this issue, he's lost his frikkin' mind. Either that or Kolbe & McCain have some sort of blackmail material on him. I can't figure it out - Flake is a good guy. How could he let himself get mixed up with the likes of Kolbe and McCain!?
Maybe you need to give the proposal another look. I don't expect everybody to think it will work, but there's nothing liberal about it. Not as I see it, not as Flake sees it. It's unfortunate it has to be couched in a bunch of third-way hooey, but that's salesmanship for you.