[pabianice]

Failure to reach 60 votes for cloture on each of these three women is scheduled to be followed by consideration of the bill co-sponsored by Frist and conservative Democratic Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia. That measure would reduce the number of votes needed to end filibusters on nominations. That, too, will be filibustered in order to defeat it. http://www.theunionleader.com/opinion_show.html?article=28185 There's more at the link. Registration is required, but it's not like they are asking your underwear size. ;o) They seem to be preparing to go nuclear. We'll see if they actually follow through.

This is incoherent. If the Dems can stop the rule change by again filibustering, how does Frist expect to get anything accomplished?

[BlueNgold]

He is going to make them decide which hill they want to die on. Eventually a Dem is going to sit in the Oval Office again, and a lot of Dems are starting to think about the future. This is also a hard shot at Shumer, who is vulnerable, especially if Rudy or Pataki decide to get into the race. This makes Shumer a one issue candidate.

[pogo101]

If the Dems can stop the rule change by again filibustering, how does Frist expect to get anything accomplished?

The "nuclear option" -- whether invoked to halt debate on a nomination or on a bill -- entails the following sequence of events: 1) (yet another) vote seeking to invoke cloture. It fails to get the 60 votes required under the (created-by-mere-majority-of-Senates-in-the-past) rule. 2) Nevertheless, the president pro tempore, or whoever is presiding in the Senate, announces that the cloture motion IS agreed to. 3) One or more filibuster-party Senators object to, and appeal, the ruling of the presiding officer. 4) A mere majority vote is required to sustain a ruling by the presiding officer, and that's just what happens. 5) The nomination or bill itself then moves to a substantive vote and passes. 6) The minority party proceeds to scorch the Senate earth for months or years to come, obstructing absolutely everything its members can, granting zero courtesies, etc., etc.