[Cboldt]

Somebody else said, "This is the essence of the agreement: The Republicans have agreed not to ban the fillibuster -- as long the Democrats don't use it."

I think that about sums it up.

[You Dirty Rats]

Somebody else said, "This is the essence of the agreement: The Republicans have agreed not to ban the fillibuster -- as long the Democrats don't use it." I think that about sums it up.

That's not what the clear language of the agreement says. Part B says the nuclear option is finished - period. Part A says that the filibuster can only be used in extraordinary cases, true, but the interpretation is up to each Senator. There is nothing in the agreement that links the two parts or makes one dependent on the other.

Since there are enough lawyers in the group, this was deliberately done to sabotage the President's SCOTUS nominees ahead of time. No other conclusion is possible.

[rcocean]

Nope sorry. The Repubs agreed not to ban IF the Democrats filibustered when it was NOT an extraordinary circumstance.

What does that mean?

It means the power to stop a filibuster and approve a nominee is in the hands of the McCain and his gang of 6.
If five decide it is "extraordinary" they can tell Friest to go jump in the lake - in private - and the nominee is DOA.

Goodbye any future Scalia or Thomas. Hello, any future Souter and O'Conner.

[rcocean]

Nope sorry. The Repubs agreed not to ban IF the Democrats filibustered when it was NOT an extraordinary circumstance.

What does that mean?

It means the power to stop a filibuster and approve a nominee is in the hands of the McCain and his gang of 6.
If five decide it is "extraordinary" they can tell Friest to go jump in the lake - in private - and the nominee is DOA.

Goodbye any future Scalia or Thomas. Hello, any future Souter and O'Conner.

[nopardons]

WRONG/INCORRECT! That is NOT at all what just went down.