"Where will they stand now?"
After O'Connor resigned, Warner said the nuclear option is still on the table. Graham said he will support a rule change if needed. McCain said the nominee will get up or down vote. I've heard nothing from DeWine.
Democrat Ben Nelson said the nominee should get an up or down vote, but he may only oppose the use of the filibuster, and not the "nuclear option." If I remember correctly, certain Democrats echoed his opinion.
Yes, but remember, the two RINO Senators from Maine--Snowe and Collins?--sent that letter to O'Connor asking her to stay on the Court to prevent a nasty confirmation fight.
It wouldn't surprise me to see those two and a couple of other limp-spined RINOs *not* in the Gang of Fourteen backstab Frist on attempting to invoke cloture. There's 55 Pubbies in the Senate, you know a couple will defect, he'll need 7-10 Rats to go along with him to be sure of shutting down a filibuster. Sounds like the Nucular(tm GWB) Option may be the only way to do this, if Babs is right and the deal is off.
}:-)4