[SolomoninSouthDakota]

"The Dims can pull the rug out from under this by merely voting for cloture. B.Nelson frequently has already."

Actually, I think we need them to call for cloture to trigger the Constitutional option. This "call for Cloture" would be ruled by the Chair as out of order or some such sequence of rulings. No one needs to calls for cloture, Frist will call for the vote and if the demonrats are smart, they'll just vote. If they try to obstruct, GOP will change the rules.

[JLS]

Actually Frist will call for cloture. There will be a cloture vote and then if it fails first will move to have judical appointment not allow to be filibustered.

[Cboldt]

Actually, I think we need them to call for cloture to trigger the Constitutional option.

Hypothetically, if a bloc of Senators (or a single Senator) had blocked the vote on a nominee before 1917, before cloture exited, how would that impasse be resolved?

Did cloture CREATE the power to block? Did the power to block on the floor of the Senate not exist before 1917?