This is a compromise that works both ways ...
First, it brings the vote on Prisilla Owens immediately to the Senate. I expect her to be confirmed by a large marjority, possibly more than sixty votes.
Second, it probably means other judicial nominees who get out of committee will get their up-or-down vote in due course. (An exception may be Judge Saad of Michigan, on whom the two Michigan Senators have a hold, which is a different matter than a filibuster.)
Third, the possible use of a filliubuster remains.
Fourth, we can conclude that Frist had the votes to break a fillibuster through a rule change.
Fifth, we can conclude that Reid had to votes to sustain a fillibuster if the rule wasn't changed.
Sixth, we will see what happens when President Bush nominates judicial conservatives to the U.S. Supreme Court (other than to replace judicial conservatives). We might find outselves re-playing this showdown.
Seventh, we still need to get to 60, or as close to 60 as possible, in 2006. This means: winning in Nebraska, Minnesota, Florida and North Dakato, and possibly also in Washington, West Virginia and Maryland; while keeping our seats in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Regarding the posibility of getting to the 60 mark, I think Lincoln Chafee may now have clear sailing to re-election (for lack of a top tier challenger).
Rick Santorum, however, is going to need all the help he can get to be re-elected in a big, swing state that leans a bit toward Blue, as he does have a top tier challenger.
Let's keep our eyes on the prize!
You got it.
The best way to make the 7 republican sell-outs irrelevant is to make the GOP majority bigger so they are no longer "swing votes."