Page 2 - Back Room Stuff News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

This division going on? i mean, there are these senators that i mean look, what was mccain's move all about, charlie? what do you think that was? that was a surprise. we thought he was going to come here and actually close the deal. >> i was absolutely shocked that was the most shocking vote i think that i saw out of that whole thing. but, you know, and i do think -- and guy is correct. you know, mitch mcconnell is very good at sort of the back room stuff that goes on in the senate. there's nobody is a better parliamentarian than he is, but the problem is, the message of the trump election was...

>> what is he going to do about this division going on? i mean, there are these senators that i mean look, what was mccain's move all about, charlie? what do you think that was? that was a surprise. we thought he was going to come here and actually close the deal. >> i was absolutely shocked that was the most shocking vote i think that i saw out of that whole thing. but, you know, and i do think -- and guy is correct. you know, mitch mcconnell is very good at sort of the back room stuff that goes on in the senate. there's nobody is a better parliamentarian than he is, but the problem is, the m...

Claire mccaskill came out for gay marriage. mark warner. all in the last couple of days. on the other hand the democratic party said you're really off base if you're not for same-sex marriage. it's polarized to that extent. >> right. well, you know, these are related issues. these are issues that the right has used. they know they're in the minority. they're increasingly in the minority on gay rights, chris. and democrats are standing firm on it. >> after they're re-elected. >> yes. there is some of that. >> a lot of it i've noticed. but i'm all for it. but i do notice the timing here is inter...

>> i wonder if there's a perverse flip side to what's going on on the democratic side. claire mccaskill came out for gay marriage. mark warner. all in the last couple of days. on the other hand the democratic party said you're really off base if you're not for same-sex marriage. it's polarized to that extent. >> right. well, you know, these are related issues. these are issues that the right has used. they know they're in the minority. they're increasingly in the minority on gay rights, chris. and democrats are standing firm on it. >> after they're re-elected. >> yes. there is some of that. >>...

Not cultivate -- if you're seen as having campaigning for wanting the job that's a strike against you. >> the rules also matter. going into the last conclave pope john paul ii changed the rules. a group favoring a candidate who couldn't get two-thirds of the majority would win. benedict changed the rule back. you couldn't count if you got a guy that has 5% plus one. you had to settle on someone with twhoirds. >> you had to wait until you got to that two-thirds threshold. >> you don't make any speeches or anything of that nature. the whole thing literally is back room stuff. and you find you're...