Ah, Well, Nevertheless

Dem senators went with the "inside" plan - approach their colleagues (call them Lucy) with reason and kindness. Susan Collins will be with us if we don't scare her!

This plan involved voting for a lot of Trump's nominees and discouraging any outside campaigning against their colleagues.

How did that work?

If you can't win, then it is good to achieve something in a loss: a clear statement of and explanation of opposition, and making sure every voter knows what shits these people are.