[Cedric]

Let’s try it this way:

Which party, by and large, saved us from this dreadful bill?

{direct answers only, no “squishy” answers, please}

[tarheelswamprat]

Let’s try it this way:

Which party, by and large, saved us from this dreadful bill? {direct answers only, no “squishy” answers, please}

Well, a "squishy" premise such as your deserves a "squishy" answer, but I'll forego the temptation and give you the direct answers you claim to seek:

NO PARTY saved anybody from anything today. It was THE PARTIES which were the agents and enablers of the various interests which originated the threat this bill presented.

What saved us (for a time) was millions and millions of INDIVIDUAL Americans, of all parties, ethnicities, races, etc., across the board and across party lines, who stepped-up and confronted INDIVIDUAL Senators, of BOTH PARTIES, and let them know in no uncertain terms that they, personally, would suffer dire consequences if they allowed this abomination to pass.

Except for a principled handful, the Senators who finally voted to stop this atrocity did so solely to save their own sorry asses and political careers. They didn't do it for their Party. Neither of the political PARTIES deserve credit for stopping the bill - the PARTIES were the enemy. There were only two things that saved the day: 1. The willingness of a handful of Senators to put the good of their country, and principle, ahead of PARTY; and 2. the instinct for survival of the far greater number who valued their own sorry hides above PARTY as well.