[Cincinatus]

The Senate staffer added, "We're expecting this thing to come to a head, and it appears that the Democrats are finally getting the message."

This comment suggests to me that the Republicans are bluffing. I also suspect that they don't have 51 GOP votes to overturn the Senate rule. However, it appears from Reid's tirade yesterday that it's the Dems who are ready to blink. Stay tuned.

[Jim Noble]

I also suspect that they don't have 51 GOP votes to overturn the Senate rule.

Well, if it's true that Mitch McConnell is wet on this issue, I'm sure they don't have the votes.

Cardiovascular surgeons have many collective personality "issues", but lack of balls isn't one of them.

They all can count, though.

[sure_fine]

there is no gain, no sense, and definately no logical reason to appease these senators who have proven for so long that they are as against this country as much as the very terrorists who would gladly kill everyone in this country.... screw'em, before they screw us more than they already have

[mewzilla]

Reid essentially threatened to shut down the Senate if the parliamentary tactic were used.

Make our day, Senator.

[mainepatsfan]

If Reid didn't think the Republicans would do it he wouldn't have pulled that stunt yesterday.

[Non-Sequitur]

Reid's the best friend the GOP has. If I were him I'd have the Democrats get up on the floor and support the change in rules to prevent the filibuster of judicial candidates...then say that the Democrats want to take the matter even further and adopt rules that would prevent judicial candidates from being bottled up in committee. Then I'd detail the Clinton candidates that were tied up by Jesse Helms. The media would go nuts, the GOP would be on the defensive in every Sunday talk show including FOX, and the whole matter might go away.

But instead Reid is talking about his own nuclear option and looking like an obstructionist ass. Ya gotta love it.

[Cricket24]

I have been waiting for 10 years for the Republicans to act like Republicans. I am getting extremely tired of the Republican "WIMP" party. The budget only goes up. They never stand up to the Dems because they are scared to death of the media. It's time for the Republicans to stand up and be "MEN" (even the women). Start protecting the borders and cut the budget of all that waste!! I am not going to vote for any dem but I may not vote for anymore Republicans either!!
I received a call from the Republican party for (what else?) money and I couldn't even understand the guy who called! Are the Republicans outsourcing their fund raising to another country?
This bullcrap has got to STOP! To hell with Harry Reid!

[beyond the sea]

The Senate staffer added, "We're expecting this thing to come to a head

Gotta like this head.

[RightOnline]

Note to Reid:

Stuff it, whiner. Payback's a b**ch.

[BB2]

"...changing parliamentary rules that would cut the necessary confirmation vote for judges from 60 to a mere majority"

There is no such rule to change, the Republicans should force this issue because the Democrats are the ones changing the rules. Confirmation of judges is NOT one of the few specific instances calling for a "super majority" enumerated in the Constitution.

[ken5050]

FYI..Im pinging you on a thread from last night..

[Semper Vigilantis]

In his remarks before reporters, Reid pleaded with Republicans to come back to the negotiating table to discuss ways around the nuclear option.

The way around it is for the Dems to do the right thing & stop blocking anything Republican. They just don't "get it".

[Fenris6]

Senate Dems are abusing their responsibility to advise and consent. Without the filibuster, the Senate would aprove of Bush's noms. Bush should have recess appointed Bork, Star, and Ashcroft :)

[gakrak]

In his remarks before reporters, Reid pleaded with Republicans to come back to the negotiating table to discuss ways around the nuclear option."

The time for negotiating are over, the only thing left to do is to use that 2x4 your holding Senator Frist. Now go right for the throat. No more Mr. nice guy. Amen.

[pizzalady]

"so-called "nuclear option" in changing parliamentary rules that would cut the necessary confirmation vote for judges from 60 to a mere majority....."

Am I the only one who believes the actual vote for judges IS a mere majority?? Isn't it the democrats who are trying to change the parliamentary rules by filibuster? Thus causing the necessary confirmation vote to change from a mere majority to a super-majority? Since when has the necessary confirmation vote for judges been 60?

If the dems are going to filibuster the judges, I want to see a REAL filibuster. Where they have to stay on the floor and speak continuously. Or let's call it what it is, Hijacking the Senate with their litmus test. One of the reasons they lost seats is for just this type of action.

The voters really do believe that each President has the right to appoint judges as they see fit. Unfortunately the balance has tipped liberal far too long and is overdue for some conservative members.

How arrogant the democrats are to think that their minority should dictate to the majority just who should be confirmed. And how sad it is that the Republicans fail to use their numbers to act like the majority.

[TexasCajun]

Why do republicans and conservative always play into the oppositions word games?

Going Nuclear?

Should be corrected and stated as:

"Going Constitutional!"

"Constitutional Option"

[Hebrews 11:6]

Reid pleaded with Republicans to come back to the negotiating table

Let me 'splain it to you, Harry. When you have the votes, you don't negotiate.

You're welcome.

[AmericanChef]

If the Dems insist on shutting everything down, we should form a coalition, travel to DC, and install ourselves in their offices to keep things going until they get their thumbs out of their ***. We'll just go ahead and vote on stuff, too, and tell all their supporting lefties who call or email in their support to take a hike.

While we're at it, let's kick the Republicans out, too, and take over the whole dang place. Both sides are worthless.

[MamaLucci]

From what I've read, Senator Byrd's comments about Republican's being Nazi's REALLY torqued off even moderate (read RINO) GOP Senators, and the votes are now there.