Mr. Hillyer, Thank you for a most insightful column.  Senator McCain can be infuriating at times, but he is a patriot, and his cumulative American Conservative Union voting record is 80+% conservative.
Like you, I probably would have voted for the bill as a first step toward repeal.  But I see Senator McCain's point; the bill is only a shell and leaves a lot to be desired.
Please keep Senator McCain in your prayers.