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Note: A paired vote is absolutely not the same as voting “present,” which is tantamount to a no vote because it pushes up the total votes needed for a simple majority. Instead, it is literally not a vote at all, as if both senators are absent.

Lisa Murkowski Should ‘Pair No’ with Steve Daines’s ‘Paired Yes’

No, No, No... The Dems will throw procedural roadblocks as they have done throughout these hearings. Don't give her the chance to recoverveven a minuscule thread of decency.

Murkowski made her choice, let her stand by herself and take the slings and arrows from public. She's corrupt, shameless, power hungry, and a fool.

The GOP should shun her and after the mid-terms, strip her of her unearned seniority and committee posts, and move her office into the hallway. And if the merest taint of collusion with Feinstein touches her, publish for the world to see.

“Lisa Murkowski Should ‘Pair No’ with Steve Daines’s ‘Paired Yes’”

I think it is better she votes “present”. My reason is if the worst case scenario happens in which Vice President Pence must break a tie, it is better to do it than to give some possibility for the Dems to challenge the vote’s credibility later. A paired vote, if it ended with a 50-49 tally would not require Pence to vote. And if he did not do so, the actual vote could be challenged later as illegal. And you can be sure the Dems would have no problem arguing this with a straight face no matter how unreasonable it is.

Personally, I’m glad to see the tiniest hint of civility and humanity return to the process with this gesture. I’m cynical enough to realize that Murkowski is probably only doing this because it cushions the negative optics of her vote, but it does solve a legitimate logistics concern.

There is absolutely no way she will break this deal. Someone would have to be holding a gun to her head. So, don’t let it worry you. The deal is done. Any tomfoolery or terroristic acts done to stop what is now in motion is only going to backfire a thousand times worse than the Democrat antics have already done.

I’ll be praying for sure. But I do not expect to lose any sleep over this, unlike our senators.