"If it had gone to a vote, the GOP would probably have squashed it anyway (that's what they normally do), only then they would have had to back him."

The DEMS have more than 51 votes BY THEMSELVES. IF they thought their OWN members would vote for it, why didn't they try to pass it? IF the Repubs had fillibustered, THEN they could be blamed- but to blame them for the errors of Reid is beneath even you, I would think.