Republicans view a successful vote on starting debate — expected to be held as soon as Tuesday — as a victory in its own right, even if the bill dies down the road. Their strategy is to go one vote, one day at a time. And each day that a third senator, or pack of senators, doesn't oppose the bill, it's one day closer to an overall victory. Leadership also may be hoping that once the bill gets to the floor and faces a final vote, GOP senators will be unable to resist the pressure to repeal Obamacare.
One Republican compared the strategy to New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick's infamous ”On to Cincinnati" press conference, in which the coach ignored criticisms of the team's 2-2 start by repeatedly focusing on the next game in Cincinnati. The Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl.