>> Senators not voting can only mean one thing - they are cowards to their convictions and plan to play their lack of voting to both sides of the issue in their home states. McCain and Obama are the worst of the bunch!
In Cornyn’s case, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was in TX campaigning or fundraising. He’s up for re-election this year.
In FreeAtlanta’s list of (R) senators that didn’t vote or voted “Y”, Sen. Cornyn is the only one that I would argue shouldn’t be tarred with the same brush. He is ideologically conservative, he does his best to LEAD rather than follow, and he generally has the courage of his convictions — he’s reliably conservative, not squishy like Kay Bailey.
Nevertheless... in my view it is UNACCEPTABLE to miss votes (and debates!) as important as this one, unless he’s sick (REALLY sick) or there’s a death in the family. Other excuses are just that — excuses.
I agree with your assessment of Cornyn. As I read the original post a 3/5 majority was required. With 48 yeas and 36 nays that is 84. 3/5 of that is 50.4 or 51 votes needed for passage. If I am correct the bill did not pass. Am I right or wrong?
Perhaps it was a back room agreed upon deal.