The stupid Dems have known all along that they couldn't filibuster Alito. They played this so that red state Senators could vote to appease their home state voters, so that hard-left blue staters could feel like their guy did everything he/she could to stop Alito, and so John Kerry can appeal to the base for the nomination in 2008.
All this ensures is that there will be a very divisive Dem primary as they fight over who did, and who did not, filibuster. 60+ votes for cloture and guess what... that party fractures into thirds. Woo-hoo !!!!! Who's got the popcorn?