Not BS. Without the agreement, the RINOs would have probably voted AGAINST ending the filibuster. WITH the agreement, if the Democrats break their word, most of them will SUPPORT ending the filibuster. This deal was set up to LOOK like a victory for the Democrats but in REALITY it was a victory for the Republicans/conservatives.
You keep saying "if the Democrats break their word" then the RINOs will be forced to concede... but as long as they let the 3 named nominees through, they'll claim they kept their word, even if they filibuster every other nominee. The phrasing of the deal is vague enough that they'll actually convince plenty of people of that. Hell, even many Republicans believe it reads that way.
Sure, we'll get to make our case too. And the Dems, as usual, will have the MSM on their side. Republicans will be painted as the deal-breakers if they go for the Byrd option again, and McCain will play it that he has to vote no on any rule change because of his presidential aspirations. Just watch.
Qwinn
Keep on drinking that Kool-Aid PJ!!!
I know you are wrong (but hope you are right).
McCain and the rest of his gang of thugs have IGNORED the party platform, which called for an end to the filibuster of judicial nominees. This deal gives the RATs the upper hand in all future debates regarding the filibuster as it "proves" to the public that:
1. it was RIGHT to filibuster these 10 nominees
2. it is constitutionally acceptable to do so
3. the EXTREME Radical Right Wing was WRONG to challange "long standing Senate Tradition"
4. the Democrats are a party of principle and the Republicans a party of necessity.
THAT is how the public will perceive this. If McCain & Co later claim that what was allowable now, is somehow not allowed in the future, they will have a hard time selling this to the people. The have basically given thier approval to all that which the Dims have been claiming regarding the filibuster.
This is, in no way, a victory for conservatives. McCain & Co. have effectively joined the Rats, but retain, for now, thier sheep's clothing (the sheep have more money!) The Republican control of the Senate is an illusion - in the Senate, we are the MINNO (Majority iN Name Only)!
That means Frist had the votes, with VP Cheney's tie-breaker.
So, that leads us to the question: Why did the seven make this deal? Think about it - Frist had the votes. Well, the Dims were madder'n a hornet's nest that Frist had the votes, so they were threatening to "shut down the Senate". Why would that make the situation any different for the seven RINOs than for the rest of the pubbies?
The seven RINOs all know their power in the Senate comes nearly 100% from the fact that Frist can never count on their votes for any conservative bills. That means, Frist (or whoever is riding herd over a particular bill) has to make a deal of some sort in exchange for a vote from the RINOs.
If the Senate's business was effectively shut down for an extended period of time, the RINOs' power would be zilch. That's why they made this deal, to retain their little corner of power.
At this point, if the Dims break the deal and Frist pulls the trigger, and the judicial filibuster goes down, the Dims will be claiming that they didn't break the deal, and they will shut down the Senate. Do you really think the RINOs are going to sit still and watch their power slip away?