Mr. Obama restated his support for a civilian trial, which supporters say would have more legitimacy than a military tribunal.
Often, these are respectful affairs in which supporters lob softballs.
The revised bill, which supporters say is likely to pass, should overcome those objections.
The system would include screening of candidates' judicial qualifications, which supporters call "merit selection".
Many beaming faces were painted black, yellow and red, the colours of the Belgian flag, which supporters waved euphorically.
(The filibuster, lately a Republican weapon, could become the means by which supporters of Obamacare ensure that it endures).
One grandmother recalled attending a meeting at which supporters insisted on a "standing vote," not a secret ballot.
The bill now goes to the House, which supporters hope will put forth a bill more like the original legislation.
Fight for the Future has set up a petition in which supporters can protest her potential punishment.
And this appears to be the point at which supporters drift away from the game in their droves.
The debate was clouded by errors in Dr. Greenberg's 1987 book, which supporters termed trivial and critics called fatal.
