[Lyford]

Uh, so Frist couldn't have brought on the nuclear option?

Not successfully.

Where do you get THAT from?

From the fact that 7 GOP Senators signed on to that deal in which they expressed, in writing, that they wouldn't support the "nuclear" (I prefer "constitutional") option.

If he could, according to your analogy, McCain and company wouldn't even be in the position to do what they did. "Knock it off or else." THAT is what Frist's JOB is.

Sure. And after he's said it and they've ignored him, what's the next step? The Senate is not a business, and he's not the boss. He's basically "first among equals." He's got no more control over John McCain than Trent Lott did or you do.

[Darkwolf]

My entire point is that Frist waited too long, dawdling over this. Of course he doesn't mind-control the Republicans; but what a LEADER does is work with them, giving them a little of this, something of that, to get their vote, convincing them. THAT is a leader's job--convincing. It's the essence of leadership, as opposed to being "in charge", and Frist completely failed. As recently as Thursday Gordon Smith came aboard the nuclear option. Frist should have been working day and night to convince his people to go nuclear. Instead he was out having dinners with Harry Reid.

This is a failure of Frist's leadership, period. His weakness gave McCain and crew a shot at a "third way."

[Darkwolf]

"Sure. And after he's said it and they've ignored him, what's the next step?"

His next step is the stick part of carrot-and-stick. This is basic stuff here.

What, exactly, do people here think the leader of the Republicans SHOULD be doing if not...leading?