[CyberAnt]

Typical .. they were only 4 votes shy of getting their lunacy passed.

Either McCain KNEW it would not pass .. or he's so arrogant that he just didn't care if it passed or not .. since it's non-binding.

[zook]

They needed 60 votes to shut off debate and vote. McCain knew they wouldn't get it, so no need for him to be sucked in to the Dem. traitors' game.

[lstanle]

"Either McCain KNEW it would not pass .. or he's so arrogant that he just didn't care if it passed or not .. since it's non-binding."

As I understand it, it takes 60 votes for cloture. In this case all those who voted against cloture could have gone about other business. Is this the way it is, or does it only take a vote of 60% of those present to invoke cloture? What is a quorum for a senate vote?

[FairOpinion]

Even if he knew it wouldn't pass, he should have added to the NO votes.

[Cementjungle]

Either McCain KNEW it would not pass .. or he's so arrogant that he just didn't care if it passed or not .. since it's non-binding.

Or, perhaps for his own political reasons, he didn't want to have to go on record as having a stance on the subject.