Lincoln and Pryor voted no, but only AFTER it was clear that Republicans blocked the bill.

[BzaDem]

So while both Lincoln and Pryor cast a despicable vote, the people who REALLY killed the bill are Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. If either voted yes, I would guess that both Lincoln and Pryor would have voted to proceed, and we would have had 60.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Bottom line: Once Collins and Brown backed out, there was nothing the Dems could do.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

2. The Republicans are the problem. Need a few more solid Democrats. nt

[truebrit71]

3. That makes no sense...they would have been able to claim that the gop killed it...

..and have the votes to show for it..instead they decided to pander to the bigots in their states in a pathetic attempt to gain votes...Fuck them both..

[Hell Hath No Fury]

4. What you said.

They could have actually stood up for their fellow citizens, but they are cowards.

[BzaDem]

5. Just because pandering is despicable doesn't mean it isn't common or unsurprising.

I would much rather have a Senator that voted for our side whenever their vote was decisive, than a Senator that voted for our side none of the time. The blame rests with the Republicans. Anyone pretending that Democrats are at all responsible here is playing right into the Republicans' hands.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. What.? If both Pryor and Lincoln had voted for going to debate, it still wouldn't have happened.

Without one of the Republicans joining in, there would never be 60 votes. And even if things moved forward today, there still are many other votes to clear....DADT was added as an amendment and could be removed from the Defense bill.

[Capitalocracy]

19. Does Lincoln seriously think that's going to save her? nt

[AlinPA]

6. Not defending them at all, I can't see pointing to only those two senators.

A lot of other bigots in addition them voted to kill it.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

7. So they got the benefit of being bigots at no cost! Outstanding.

[BzaDem]

8. ??? I am simply saying that by blaming Democrats, we are playing RIGHT into the Republicans' hands.

The Republican STRATEGY right now is to block all Democratic bills, and then blame Democrats for not passing anything. They get the best of both worlds for them: blocking all Democratic policy, and destroying the enthusiasm of the Democratic base by having us blame Democrats. All in one operation.

Judging by your comment, it appears to be working.

Their cost can come with Pryor's primary in 2012, if there is another viable Democrat challenging him.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

13. Let's see if I can help here...

Two ostensible Democrats took what they saw as a free shot to mark themselves as bigots because they perceive an advantage in being seen as bigots.

The Republicans see an advantage in blocking everything. They also think they gain from appearing bigoted, but as you note they will block ANYTHING because they thinks that gains for them.

Lincoln and Pryor do not benefit in general from Democratic haplessness.

So their votes were cast purely for the sake of appearing bigoted because they perceive an advantage in being bigots.

My post did not blame Lincoln and Pryor for killing DADT-repeal. The pugs did that.

It blamed them for seeking advantage in bigotry. Which they did.

[BzaDem]

14. Yes, I would agree.

As for that state of affairs, I would blame Lincoln and Pryor, but also for the people in AK who might make their perception true.

I'm just blaming Republicans for killing the thing.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

15. We agree. The pugs killed it.

Sorry for my intemperate tone. I edited the post to be less hostile.

[xchrom]

9. Hooray! It's really pathetic. -- that's why the OP had to drag that logic out. Nt

[HughMoran]

11. A little logical thinking never hurt anybody

ya know?

[Fumesucker]

22. Logic can take you to some incredibly bizarre places if your premises are incorrect..

And the OP was starting from the premise that Democrats never do any wrong..

[mdmc]

12. Lincoln and Pryor are rat worms

[old mark]

16. Rec....Yes, the problem really IS the republicans!!! nt

[NNN0LHI]

17. Recommended for some sanity

[VMI Dem]

18. Very pragmatic of them.

[QC]

21. Sensible, too. n/t

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

20. Blanche is going bye-bye in November

Another DINO who'll probably not understand why she's getting dumped.

[backscatter712]

23. In other words, they maximized their cowardice.

They didn't want to actually vote for the bill, but they didn't want to be blamed for the bill going down either.

What a pair of spineless twats!