Collins is now mad at the Dems....Snowe follows Collins...call them both, call them now!!! Collins will vote first of the 3 on the roll call.
I sent emails to my Senators Babs Mikulski and Cardin.
I knew it was a waste of time when I did it, but you can’t blame me for trying.
A couple points. Procedurally, Collins name comes up first in the roll call, but she doesn't have to vote the first time her name is called. I have never, not one time, seen the voting completed on the first time through the membership roll.
As for which of them will vote with the Democrats, they probably calculate which of them has least to lose, or is least likely to suffer the ultimate fate (lose an election) as a consequence of the vote. Collins just won re-election, and isn't up again until 2014, by which time memories will be long faded. As between her and Snowe, she's a natural to take the unpopular stand.
Finally, Collins and Snowe will take this vote both ways ... voting to limit debate to 30 hours takes a 60 vote supermajority of exactly 60 votes, but passage takes a simple majority of those voting (51 or fewer). Collins will vote to limit debate (where she could vote the other way, and effectively force serious negotiations), and claim that she voted against the bill, assuming she votes against it when the time comes for final passage.
Calling them is a waste of breath. The Senate and Congress would suffer great unease if the public gave them the silent treatment.