Actually, I think its a panicked response to Graham and DeWine announcing they would support the Nuke option and Frist's announcement that, if necessary, he will use it. That gives us 51 votes (with Cheney). The Rat's only remaining threat is to shut down the entire senate so that no business, not even nuclear options, can get done.
This is basically a demonstration of what they threaten if the nuke option passes--trying to shake some support for it.
That's my take, but I don't think it's what they'll continue to pull in an election year. I think this was pure "drama" for the fans, a one-act play so-to-speak, so they could appease their looney faction...because they've realized with DeWine and Graham's announcement that Alito will be confirmed.