I read it but see no reason to weep. It seems that Dear Leader Reid has managed a retreat in the face of certain defeat. The "Moderate Democrats" could have voted for cloture when Senator Frist asked to end debate. If cloture is invoked, the Constitutional Option cannot be exercised as there would be no reason to request a ruling from the chair. A ruling from the chair affirmed by a simple majority clarifies the issue.
The "compromise" is a cave by the Democrats. The "Moderates" will be unlikely to follow Dear Leader Reid into the dead-end abyss of obstruction again. Once the three are confirmed (like quick), the others must be brought forth, especially Mr. Bolton. The public will have little patience for another obstruction stunt.
Well then, let's look at it another way:
When that fearful day comes and the Reps are a minority in the Senate and there is a Dem President, how many of those 7 "moderate" Democrats are going to sit with us and support a deal that gives us veto power over all but 3 of President Hillary's nominees.
If you think this is a victory for Republicans, you are the problem.
Seven RINO traitors have promised not to change the rules in the 109th Congress.
I agree - this is not too bad. 10 yards and a cloud of dust. And now the moderates can't say the conservatives aren't willing to bargain.
With the time left in this session of Congress, this is good news IF they can get all three of the "agreeables" plus two of the "almost agreeables" through this year. While I can hardly stomach the idea of McCain having any apearance of leadership in this, I won't begrudge him a small measure of progress.
The main reason I am not too fired up about this deal is the Constitutional Option would only force a REAL filibuster - it IS NOT a gaurantee the nominations get through. These 14 monderates would(will) have even more leverage if (when) that happened. Of course I am disappointed because I was really, really looking forward to a real old style filibuster. And having any of these three as the focal point would have made it tough to defend.
In the end, we get progress and look forward to the day of the big fight over SCOTUS nominations. That is the time when the big throwdown should happen.