johnny99 wrote:
I've always thought that McCain's vote not to repeal the ACA had more to do with revenge against Trump than anything else. Given how important repeal of the ACA was to Trump's election, this was one way McCain could pay Trump back. It was Trump's best chance to repeal the ACA, and he was unable to do it because he had insulted the wrong guy.
I disagree.
Republicans actually did not want to flat out repeal the ACA. They only wanted to make it look like they did.
McCain's down vote was because it did not include a replacement, which is what the real campaign was about.
If that vote passed, it still had to go back to the House (Republican controlled at the time) which had their own version of a replacement that the Republican Senate would not pass.
The whole thing was about Republican's failure to create a replacement they could agree on.
They wasted two years and never came up with anything.
McCain's thumb down was an optic that played everywhere. It was more of a screw you to McConnell than to Trump.
He knew it wasn't going to pass in the House and the vote was only so McConnell could say he repealed Obamacare - but that didn't work.
Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Mukowski also voted no. It would not have passed even if McCain voted yes with a Pence tie breaker. McCain's no mean there was no need for a tie breaker.
We have to remember that Trump promised to replace Obamacare with something better that covered everyone.
After taking office, he did nothing. Sure, two months ago he said something was coming in two weeks.
This is going to come up again in the debates.
He failed to deliver a big promise and now is trying to promise it again if re-elected.