To get the 60 votes he needed, Mr Reid had to cajole three wavering Democrats Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Ben Nelson of Nebraska and their support came at a price.
Mr. Reid is now bellowing about Republicans blocking a vote, and Democrats such as Mark Pryor (Arkansas), Mary Landrieu (Louisiana) and Mark Begich (Alaska) don't have to declare themselves on provisions that might be unpopular at home.