All you have to do is look at who is up for re-election in 2006; whether or not they have lots of money or support from the RNC. Chaffee has neither, so except on issues that will cost him dearly at home(nuclear option), he will be a good soldier and vote with the party most of the time.
That also goes for those who want to be President, with the support of Conservatives (Hagel), because jerks like McCain are looking for Moderates and Hillary-haters to put him over the top. He will run as an Independent because he would never get the nomination as a Republican.
I agree the re-election bunch were between a rock and a hard place - and the pres wannabees were in the same corner. I just wasn't sure what Hagel would do once it was determined that one of his staff was a former Bolton subordinate and might have some made-up horror story to tell.
I'm assuming Hagel talked to his staff member and it wasn't serious enough to bring him before the committee. When that person was not scheduled to appear .. I began to believe Chaffee and Hagel would vote for Bolton.
But .. then there was this thread that the WH is upset because Bolton might not be confirmed - I was beside myself. I was also upset at Lugar because he kept allowing the dems to postpone the committee vote, and I remembered on the first day of the hearings, here was Dodd falling all over himself praising Lugar for his opening statement - and there sat Lugar grinning - I just wanted to smack him.
Okay - You can have your "I told ya so".