Why would McConnell call a vote and not know how many votes he had??

[kentuck]

That doesn't sound like McConnell at all. Normally, he would not bring a bill to the floor unless he knew the count beforehand?

Seems rather peculiar, in my opinion.

[unblock]

1. desperation. i think he hoped it would pressure those on the fence to fall in line.

to mix metaphors a bit....

[Va Lefty]

2. He wants to put his caucus "on record"

"He was giving the conservatives the chance to vote on a straight-up repeal. But first they would have to record their vote for a House bill they loathe. There would be no guarantee that the amendment to repeal would pass — and no guarantee that other, less welcoming amendments would fail.
If hard-right conservative senators vote no to starting debate and the effort quickly collapses, McConnell can come back at them and blame them. He is likely to try shifting the blame onto others, and he has given himself a new talking point to counter the "clean repeal" crowd—including President Trump. […]"

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/7/18/1681654/-McConnell-forced-to-regroup-on-Trumpcare-will-push-repeal-only

[rufus dog]

3. CHAOS!

The chaos is being created by the Orange shitstain, but Mitch can't manage. So rather than telling tRump to shut the fuck up, he reacts and makes a fool out of himself.

[melm00se]

4. that way he can avoid the accusation

that there was no up/down vote.

If you know that you are going to lose no matter what you do, what deals you try to cut etc: call for the vote and be done with it.

If you vote the way the majority of your constituents want, you are covered.

[bearsfootball516]

12. Yep

Now if voters in Kentucky say "Why didn't you try a straight repeal", he can say "I did, and they shut it down."

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. He's just frustrated and pissed. He's lost control of the situation.

I hope they do have this stupid vote.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. McConnell id reading his poll numbers

and he sees ugly. Let's vote this sucker up or down and get the f---- out of town till Labor Day. Maybe things will change.

Paul Ryan appears to be the Guy who will carry the Wrecking Ball from here on out. The Koch Brothers must be totally pissed at this point. Remember,this past Election was all about a wealth Transfer of 1.1 Billion in Public Dollars to the Wealthiest 400 families who put them in Office.

Trump is the GOP's Collateral Damage on their way to a two class Society. When they get his Autograph on their Wealth Transfer(Tax Overhaul)bill out of both houses,Trump goes away damn quick.

[dembotoz]

7. would imagine those who vote against him will be dead meat when it comes to the party

would allow him to separate the wheat from the chaff

[NCTraveler]

8. Agree.

I wonder how much influence Trump has over him.

[kentuck]

9. A lot, I would bet.

This sounds like it may have been Trumps idea.

[NCTraveler]

10. I just don't see Mitch doing this on his own.

He has a head count and knows where everyone is at.

[kentuck]

11. I think it was meant as a distraction of the bigger story of the day.

That eighth person in the meeting.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. That distraction will NOT work.

Too many people are paying attention.

[kentuck]

15. I agree.

But, I think Trump is wanting Mitch to have the vote. He is scared to death of the news that broke today about the eighth person, in my opinion. He is trying his best to distract from it.

[Alice11111]

14. Staging...we tried and voted to repeal, but it's the Dems fault