"If we have a beef, it is with the gang of 14...and they give cover to the partisans on both sides with their special interest supporters."
Not so fast.........If we are going back that far, let's lay the blame at Frist's feet then. He had nuke power at his disposal.
As I recall that awful night, Frist was ready to use it (likely having twisted a few arms of the reluctant who were not among the Gang of 14), it really looked as if this was it, when the Fox news alert came on: John McCain has come up with a compromise to avoid the nuclear option! All hail the conquering hero! I can still see his triumphant grin . . .