Reply #23: Because its just a protest vote

[mohc]

If he had voted No along with the 39, AND another 11 Senators came along, the motion to table would have failed. Would that mean another $62 million for the bill? NO! It would mean the appeal would have gone ahead, maybe that wins, maybe that loses. But lets just pretend it wins. Now does that mean another $62 million? NO! It means it goes back to committee, where it may or may have not included the amendment from Jeffords.

Things can get complicated in procedural votes, Jeffords had an admirable amendment, but his motion was out of order, and would probably have required unanimous consent to make the motion at that point, which he never would have received. Now, as I said in the last post I made, there is something to be said to always standing up against a bad bill. But it had to actual effect on the bill. And on the final passage, only Jeffords and Wellstone maintained their stand, if Kerry really felt the bill had to have this amendment, he would have voted No then as well. I just do not believe Edwards or anyone else deserves to be punished for how he voted on a procedural vote, Jeffords was out of order and Edwards simply voted to say that he was.