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It doesn't matter WHAT has "always been." Politics constantly changes, and you must adapt. The only goal is to win, whether you have to "compromise" or bludgeon. We still have the bludgeon, too. But right now, we're winning without it. It's like having a trick play on a football team---why roll out the end-around when you don't need it?

Walt Frazier, the great NY Knick guard, used to say that he knew he could steal the ball from the guy he was guarding at any time in the game, but he didn't, because he knew that if the game was close, he might HAVE to steal the ball.

Pressing the "moderates" to vote up or down on the filibuster MIGHT have broken the filibuster---or might not, and it might have pushed some of the "moderates" (for their own political survival in liberal states) to vote against it. By appearing "concilatory," they can get some props for their home elections and still have the option to vote against the filibuster if, after appearing "conciliatory," the Dems still screwed them.