"Three of the Republicans have already indicated they'd vote to invoke the "nuclear option" to thwart a judicial filibuster. And only two defectors from the Gang of 14 are needed to pass the nuclear option."
No. Specter will vote to defeat the nuclear option, if his vote is crucial. That means 3 defectors from the Gang of 14 are needed. So far we count 3, which looks good, unless the count is suspect or there is another "sleeper" RINO in the Republican deck.
Is that your opinion, or is that what Specter has said?