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I have had to play catch-up on this thread and this issue. You have done yeoman's work in managing this thread. Good job!

I saw the FOX News interview with Bill Frist. It was crystal clear to any sentient bering that Frist and the Republicans were NOT caving in. Frist specifically stated that a cloture vote was the beginning -- not the end -- of the confirmation battle, as it would smoke out those who were in favor of or opposed to the nomination and thereby give them information about where their persuasive efforts should b e spent.

It is inconceivable to me how any well-meaning person could have misinterpreted his remarks to mean that the Republicans were "caving." I understand that Rush fell into that trap, but then Rush has a tendency to fly off the handle without checking his premises if it falls within his "template" (i.e., "the Republicans are caving"). Of course, Rush has now stated that the FOX spin was "less than accurate" (i.e., WRONG!!!!), although he is very politic in not wanting to state that it was pure drivel from the get-go. Rush should have known (I certainly did!) that a failed cloture vote means nothing other than the issue continues. It certainly does not mean that the nomination is dead. REALLY! How can anyone be that ignorant?

I have been very pleasantly and favorably surprised by the finesse and political savvy with which Frist has handled this matter thus far. Thank GOD that he is in charge instead of Vacant Lott. If Lott were in charge, we would have nominated Bill Clinton to the post by now.

I also see the very telling hand of George Bush in all of this. He is such a political mastermind. Make no mistake -- this is all going according to plan, and a very good plan it is. Nobody plays hardball better than Geroge Bush.

I predict that Estrada will eventually get confirmed, but even if he does not the Dems will have paid such a price that it doesn't really matter in the broad scheme of things.

"If Lott were in charge, we would have nominated Bill Clinton to the post by now."

LOL!!

But—on a more serious note…You said: "I predict that Estrada will eventually get confirmed, but even if he does not (emphasis mine) the Dems will have paid such a price that it doesn't really matter in the broad scheme of things."

I won’t stand for "if he does not." And if history shows us anything, it’s that the American voter can’t remember the outrage committed by the Dems last week, forget the many months between now and the next election! They NEVER seem to "pay a price"---or the Senate would now have a Republican in Mary Landrieu’s seat, and the dinosaur’s in New Jersey, etc. (Yes, I know we won back the Senate, but by a whisker. Every last one of them running for office should’ve been turned out. The American voter (by and large) is apathetic.)