Sorry... my bad... 49 + 2 made 51. Not 51 + 2 = 53. My apologies.
:)
For a second I thought you had me so I looked it up. I almost believed it.
Back then I was making the argument to Republicans that we would be better off if it looked like Dems had a majority that was safely under the 60, say the 53 you thought they had so it be easier to make that case you guys are making, that Dems were in control.
Back then Reid could control the agenda but he couldnt pass anything unless he worked out a deal with GWB, and there was plenty of them.
In 2003 the Bush tax cuts were passed using budget reconcilation as the R majority was still well under the 60.
Everyone that knows me knows I have no fond memories of the GWB era, except maybe the Elito and Roberts confirmations.