I've always said there was an argument that could be made for the benefit of the Gang of 14 tactic, although I would have preferred to have gone with the Constitutional Option and cram it down the dims' throats. Hell, you'll never see the Pubbie minority use the filibuster anyway, and if they did (which they won't) the dims would just steamroll them.
As to the other of McCain's many sins, there are no excuses. He is a suck-up-to-the-media, suck-up-to-the-libs, anti-GOP, anti-Conservative charlatan on many, many counts.
I've always said there was an argument that could be made for the benefit of the Gang of 14 tactic, although I would have preferred to have gone with the Constitutional Option and cram it down the dims' throats. There is no argument for the Gang of 14. If it is right (and constitutional) for nominees to have a filibuster free up or down vote, it doesn't matter which party is in power. Right, Wrong and constitutionality are not determined by which party is in power. Right is Right, Wrong is Wrong and the constitution is written in plain, simple, clear, understandable English.