Reply #3: On a cloture vote, "present" or not voting are the same as voting no

[karynnj]

Olympia Snowe was once better than this. What did she think that she was accomplishing by voting present? The effect was identical to all the "no"s. In a way, it is worse, as it indicates she knew NO was wrong, but did not have the courage of her convictions to vote yes - even when cloture still would have failed.