Reply #11: Couldn't we just ask them to abstain from voting at all?

[StoryTeller]

For cloture, I mean. As several other posts pointed out, those who want to end debate have to vote for cloture. They need 60 votes. As long as Johnson, Byrd, Nelson, and whoever else don't vote yes, then it doesn't matter if they vote no on cloture or if they abstain. It still won't count toward the 60 needed to end debate.

So asking them simply to abstain from voting on cloture would be a way for them to have it both ways--they don't have to take a stand one way or another. Just ask them to stay out of it. It seems it's the least they could do.

If I've misunderstood, please correct me because otherwise I'm going to call in and ask for at least this. But don't worry...it's not an "abstinence-only" program. :)