So, do you see the re-institution of the filibuster rule by the GOP?
If they do that, then they will be subject to it in 2016. They may not do that.
If the Republicans retake the Senate next month, there is no reason for them not to reinstate the filibuster rule for Obama appointments. Then in 2016, if the Republicans hold on to the Senate and a Republican is elected President, then they can always abolish it again. If the Democrats retake the Senate in 2016, then the Democrats will do whatever the hell they want regardless of what the Republicans do now.
If the Republicans do retake the Senate, I would really like to see them have the balls to reinstate the filibuster for Obama appointments but abolish it for legislation (or make the Democrats do good old fashioned Mr. Smith Goes to Washington filibusters where they have to talk nonstop until they drop). That way the Democrats could not do anything to stop the Republicans from passing legislation through both the House and Senate and sending it straight to Obama.
Sure Obama would veto everything, but he would have to spend the next two years vetoing legislation, making it really hard for the Democrats to run in 2016 complaining about the Republicans not doing anything. The 2016 Republican Presidential candidate can run on the issue of stopping Democrat obstruction.
As an added bonus, the Democrats and the lamestream media branch of the Democrat Party would have an absolute conniption fit.
The Republicans need to stop letting the Democrats set the bar on what is acceptable for the Senate majority party to do.