Have politicians ever been known to break a promise?
Republicans got nothing from this deal that they couldn't have gotten by cutting off the filibuster. This was no horse trade -- it was a give away.
The GOP Senators did not want to change the filibuster rules. I don't blame them, IF THEY INTEND TO FILIBUSTER FUTURE DIM OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM JUDICIAL APPOINTEES. That to me is the implied long term promise.
That is what they got. If for giving up two of the seven, they kept their right to filibuster future Dim radical left appointees AND THEY USE THAT RIGHT, then it is not as bad a deal as some make it out to be. In addition, I think Bush should now reappoint Estada and then appoint him to the US Supreme Court in June.
(Republicans got nothing from this deal that they couldn't have gotten by cutting off the filibuster. This was no horse trade -- it was a give away.)
If Frist was sure to win the vote, do you think this compromise would have happened? Basically the Dems were very nervous about losing the fight outright and the rules be changed. Since they were scared they gave up a few judges in the hopes that something changes electorally and they get some help. The Republicans get a bunch of judges and they still have the option to change the rules. Strategically though the Democrats are the ones who dictate when the fight happens as they can wait to filibuster someone they think they can paint as an extremist. The Republicans understand that and will be may be nervous about nominating a really strong conservative.