Thank you to senators Murkowski, Collins and McCain

[Saint_Cad]

@Caldazar

Agreed that Murkowski and Collins are the ones who more consistently stuck to their principles on health care. I guess McCain finally decided that this was too much political nonsense for him.

And don’t forget Collins and Murkowski also voted against Betsy DeVos

[quiltguy]

I too am thankful for how the vote went. Props to the ladies, and a left-handed one to McCain.

I’d be more magnanimous, and far less cynical, in my praises IF the following were not so obvious:

• McCain, for all his “maverick-ness” was seemingly OK with the execrable parade that the Repubs have pushed along for the last few years. Is it easier to do the right thing when you’re facing a terminal disease? Maybe that was a factor in his vote, who can tell? He’s a hero now to many who wouldn’t have considered him prior. Much obliged though, John.
• Collins has said she won’t run for re-election, so however she votes over the next several years won’t really affect her seat. Hat tip nonetheless.
  -Murkowski just won re-election, so she’s gonna’ be around awhile. But who’d be foolish enough to think they’d win against a Murkowski in Alaska, if she decides to run again? Nonetheless, good on ya’.

Yes, thank you to the Three Musketeers, but I’d have preferred a bit more gumption and leadership along the way.
To all the other Repub senators, may ignominy and ashes in your mouth be your future.

[rbroome]

@Hampshire

While Obamacare has done some great things we do have to at some point face the music and realize the costs are just not sustainable.
If a solution could be had that made the thing work I would be for it. Or as McCain said:
“I have believed that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced with a solution that increases competition, lowers costs, and improves care for the American people. The so-called “skinny repeal” amendment the Senate voted on today would not accomplish those goals.”
This “skinny repeal” just puts us back to 2007. I believe that truly is what McConnell and his ilk would like. Thank god the three GOP dissenters can see this for what it is.

I will point out that the primary argument for repeal only with delay was to put pressure on congress to come up with a replacement. Well, McCain’s big concern in congress is the military funding bill-which is severely constrained due to the last time congress passed something to put pressure on itself to accomplish some worthy goal. Annnnd… we got sequestration. Which McCain hates.
I strongly suspect that he simply didn’t believe that repealing ACA would put significant pressure on either side to come up with a replacement. He knows a significant part of the Repubs simply want ACA gone with no replacement. And the Dems would love to bring a significant portion of the 16 million people who lose coverage under the repeal up to the mike for campaign spots in 2018 and 2020. So I think McCain was saving the Republicans from themselves.