They might cave UNTIL the Supreme Court comes open and then they would lose their political base if they caved.
If the Dems cave now, they will lose some of their political base. And that will make it easier to get the Supreme Court nominee appointed. We should not change the rules until we've exhausted the alternatives. That's why I say make them do an actual filibuster.
Have you seen the Bush commercials about the judges on TV? Very good commercials. You can't really argue against it. I think the Dems have the short straw on this, and it's just a matter of pushing them to the wall. They'll cave, and if they don't then they will pay a very dear price at the polls.