I noticed that (Dems saying there was almost agreement) but did not see at the time that it was a planned strategy. Despicable that they would manipulate the viewers that way.
Indeed but viewers watching cable news have been alerted to the ploy as his closing statement showed his hand. Outlets reporting that they planned to push reconciliation all along but may have difficulty with the House accepting the Senate's modified plan which falls short. Consensus is that many will not vote for it.
However NPR pundit on Foxnews said those members at risk come November have nothing to lose pushing it through since their earlier vote for the bill left them vulnerable anyway. Better to face their constituents with something 'accomplished' rather than nothing at all. Pretzel logic to convince them to take the sword for their leader, I suppose.