[GOPrincess]

I'm really glad Rush clarified this. Last week he seemed to think a cloture vote was the end of it if the Republicans lost. (I was getting quite confused between the rules re filibusters, the confusion re the Fox story, etc.) He clarified today what I'd originally been thinking -- *if* the Republicans lose the cloture vote, that means the "real" filibuster starts, do I have that right? And it's only going to end after that if the Democrats cave on their filibuster, is that right? To me it seems like a "can't lose" prospect if the Republicans are set to hang in there and force the Democrats to repeatedly put their names on their votes.

[aristeides]

And it's only going to end after that if the Democrats cave on their filibuster, is that right?

It could also end if the Republicans cave and drop the issue of Estrada.

[Howlin]

You know, we need a graphic so we can understand this, don't we?

[San Jacinto]

*if* the Republicans lose the cloture vote, that means the "real" filibuster starts, do I have that right?

Yes. The "real" debate starts with a failed cloture vote and it continues until either (1) 60 Senators vote for cloture or (2) the Republicans decide they will never get the 60 votes, so they pull the nomination from the floor with no up or down vote being taken.

[woodyinscc]

I have been almost screaming that this was a win, win
for us, if the R's just stayed the course.

As another poster said,"this is a two wk
commercial against the dims."

Frist just put PBA on the schedule, lets see if the dims want to put up a fight on this also.

Frist has got them cornered, but doesn't want
to look confrontational. He is playing it
just right!!!

Don't forget the 9th circuit's ruling on "Under God"
We have them on the complete defensive.