That's not the point. We're at war, and DeMint just called off what would have been a successful air strike against the leftists in the Senate.
Reading these bills out loud on the floor is a weapon. This one would have eaten away 15 hours of the legislative clock, which would have seriously hampered the Democrats' ability to put through more damaging legislation in the waning days of the 111th Congress.
This is precisely why it's a mistake to promote legislators to the presidency. Few, if any of them can think like a field commander.
If he succeeded in getting the Treaty killed he won.
They are running the clock as if the bill is being read, so he essentially is getting exactly what you claim he is giving up. This move did NOTHING other than to save the poor senate guy from having to read a bill to an empty chamber for 15 hours.