I was watching the clips from rufe’s diary on the rec list and found them to be pretty interesting, so I combed through the video a bit more and found a few more interesting moments I thought I would share. I originally posted this as a comment in that diary, but I made a couple typos I wanted to correct and also thought it might get more exposure if I posted it as a separate diary. I highly recommend reading rufe’s diary, watching the clips, and also reading this article that was posted in a comment by yet another liberal.
Without further ado, here are the clips (in chronological order):
Video #1 : This video takes place shortly after the moment with Murkowski getting the thumbs down from McCain (sitting next to Graham) from the clip in rufe’s diary. McCain is seen approaching Schumer and several other Democratic senators, and talking for a short while. Right after Schumer approaches the table, before the camera changes angles, you can see McCain point down, indicating his intention to vote no. This must be when McCain tells his joke that he’s afraid his lips might be being read. Towards the end of the clip, you can see Graham approach McConnell, pat him on the arm and lead him and Cassidy to a back room.
Video #2 : Pence tries to talk to McCain, but McCain is interrupted and seems to dismiss Pence abruptly. Graham then grabs Pence and gets him to follow him to the back room.
A few minutes later (I didn’t bother to include the video because nothing interesting happens) Pence returns and makes his way to McCain, stopping to talk to several Senators along the way.
Video #3 : At this point, the roll call has begun. Pence and McCain are seen walking into the back room, joined by a couple other Senators. You can tell Rubio wants to follow them, but he ends up just looking like a lost puppy. You then see Graham return, cast his vote, and speak to McConnell. Presumably this is when McConnell discovers for sure his efforts have failed. I was wondering why McCain came from the back room before he cast his vote, and now I know it’s because he was with Pence in a back room, pleading with him to vote yes.
I couldn’t find the thumbs-up that Graham gives to McCain prior to the roll call (mentioned in the Palmer Report article), but I found it interesting that Graham seems to be involved in all the back-room talks. He definitely seems to be in on it with McCain.
