"Since it takes a two-thirds vote to break a filibuster, liberals have..."
In my mediocre understanding of civics, I thought the Republican party could force the Democrats to really filibuster, i.e., they have to talk until the Congressional session ends or have a vote. Why wasn't this enforced by Republicans? Did spending some time on Capital Hill listening to the babble deter them?
The 49 Democrats in the Senate have 48 members who are entirely united around certain common purposes (minus Miller, D-GA).
The 51 Republicans have at least ten members, perhaps more, who share most of these common purposes with the Democrats.
There is nothing even close to a GOP majority for anything except organizing the Senate, which, while important, is not sufficient to get anything done.
Frist does not have, and never has had, more than 42-45 votes to "force" the Democrats to do anything, which is why he doesn't do it.
He does not lack the backbone-he lacks the votes.