John McCain failed to show up for July’s vote to avert physician Medicare payment cuts. Doctors smartly allied with seniors on this issue, and now McCain’s stance is going to hurt him during the last weeks of the campaign.

Here’s what I wrote back in July:

This charade seriously damaged the Republicans. They pretty much crapped on the medical profession, a normally reliable ally. The appearance of defending insurance companies over the interests of physicians is inexcusable. The fact that McCain was absent from today’s vote spoke volumes.

In the eyes of this swing voter, this debacle will certainly weigh significantly come November.

By not supporting doctors, McCain damaged himself in eyes of both physicians and seniors. I have no idea why he would antagonize this pivotal voting bloc.

It’s likely going to be fatal.