You're right.
"The Republicans and conservatives achieved more legislative victories this week than in the whole last two years."
______________________________
Nothing like having your base walk away to get you motivated. I never thought this would go through the senate without having some type of program put in to deal with those that are already here.
This is the typical way Congress gets important, somewhat controversial, things done. It is simply silly for people to get upset about stuff not coming up for a vote until election pressure looms. I'm more concerned when the House & Senate leaders bring things to a vote further from an election and allow the pressure effect to dissipate with time.
Frist and Hastert have been masterful during this session... right from the beginning, when Frist made some key decisions that brought looming pressure in the judicial filibuster area. Sadly, political neophytes don't realize just how essential the kind of behind the scenes horse-trading and strategic decisions are in the Senate. Hastert, on the other hand, has kept a strong hand on the tiller of the House.
Congratulations to both of them - it seems that Republicans have finally discovered a way to somewhat neutralize the filibuster power in the Senate.