No, look at it this way. With a new senate, there will be a new vote. Bam bam will veto it anyway, but this way, the voters of Louisiana are being shown, that, on this issue anyway, Landrieu and Cassidy would vote the same way. If Keystone is your thing, there is no need to vote against Landrieu. To Reid, passing it was never the issue. Getting Landrieu on the record as voting for it was.
“No, look at it this way. With a new senate, there will be a new vote. Bam bam will veto it anyway, but this way, the voters of Louisiana are being shown, that, on this issue anyway, Landrieu and Cassidy would vote the same way. If Keystone is your thing, there is no need to vote against Landrieu. To Reid, passing it was never the issue. Getting Landrieu on the record as voting for it was.”
Reid could have ensured it passed. But, by ensuring it did not, he gave Landrieu a bone by allowing the vote. But, by ensuring it did not pass, he protected Obama from having to veto the bill. IOW, protecting Obama was more important than passing the bill and protecting Landrieu. IMHO, the greatest thing about this months election is the removal of Reid as majority leader.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/here-s-what-s-next-for-the-keystone-pipeline-20141118