But now that we're into Bush's second term, the GOP realizes that its supporters are getting very frustrated and it has to act. I also think the Pubbies were dragging things out to use the nuke on a Supreme Court nomination if an opening occurred. Since that hasn't happened, we're now into showdown mode. (I hope.) Just my two cents...
Good analysis. Going "nuke" for a SC nomination may be what the Republicans have in mind, but you're absolutely right that they can't control the timing of events, and the frustration of their base may require them to pull the pin (or push the button) earlier than they'd wanted to. Of course, we don't know the fevered minds of people like McCain and Hagel. Maybe in the backrooms they've said they'll vote FOR the nuke option only for Supreme Court nominees, not appellate judges. Who knows. Clearly, there's more to this than meets the eye or ear. But I agree with your comment that they may be dragging things out a bit too long. I was 100% behind not going nuclear until after the 2004 elections, but if they try to wait until after 2006, they may have waited too long. That cracking they hear may be the ice under their own feet.