[jazusamo]

I don’t know and also don’t know why it’s referred to as the nuclear option, it’s really only a change of the Senate rules.

[Cboldt]

Supposedly because resort to the maneuver will blow up the Senate; so, from their point of view, it's more than a mere rules change.

I think it would be an appropriate change, but it does tickle me that Reid would be credited with poisoning the well.