[Preachin']

I found this:

http://webreprints.djreprints.com/1231360309215.html

It is a WSJ article on Jay Sekulow's activities on the issue, along with some expectations.

The article says esentially what you said:

"Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Minority Leader Harry Reid yesterday gave up attempts to reach a compromise on the matter. A bipartisan group of moderates, however, worked furiously to broker a deal that would see approval of some of the stalled nominees in exchange for leaving the current rules intact. Last night, those senators were still trying to hammer out final language on statements that would seal the deal.

If they fail, the showdown is expected to begin when one of the stalled judges—most likely Texas Judge Priscilla Owen—is called up for a final floor vote. Democrats vow to conduct a filibuster. Mr. Frist may allow it to go on for several days. Then Mr. Frist is expected to move to shut it down through a series of parliamentary maneuvers that will end with a vote on whether a filibuster on a judicial nominee violates Senate rules."

[Cboldt]

Then Mr. Frist is expected to move to shut it down through a series of parliamentary maneuvers that will end with a vote on whether a filibuster on a judicial nominee violates Senate rules."

And it is my speculation that this maneuvering will NOT involve calling for cloture, at least not by the GOP.

The show is underway. Hours of boredom for the next couple days ... but the inevitable is coming, it is coming.