We're going to have to get a few more crossovers to avoid a cloture vote. Right now it's only Nelson, correct?
Correct that Nelson is the only crossover. But the Senate can avoid a cloture vote by unanimous consent - they did with Roberts, and do with most nominations, even the hotly contested ones. IIRC, Thomas' confirmation vote of 52-to-48 came without a preceding cloture vote.