"An effort to repeal the military’s “don’t ask don’t tell” policy went down to defeat Tuesday afternoon, with Senate Democrats and Republicans squaring off in a procedural vote. In the face of a promised filibuster by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Democrats could not convince a single GOP senator to cross over and provide the 60th vote needed to begin debate on a defense spending bill containing the repeal measure. The vote to open debate failed, 56-43, with Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) joining all Republicans in opposing taking up the bill."