[oceanview]

if we had used the nuclear option last year - we would have lost the ability to use the fillibuster next year, when we are the minority.

in the end - the gang of 14 got us Alito and Roberts, and we could not have done better with those two picks.

[wagglebee]

We don't need the ability to filibuster for at least the next two years because Bush can veto. And if the GOP had shown some fortitude and used the nuclear option, they might not have had their butts handed to them.

[double_down]

if we had used the nuclear option last year - we would have lost the ability to use the fillibuster next year, when we are the minority.

This argument is so old. First, I have a hard time believing the repubs can muster 40 votes to filibuster any dem nominee to the SCOTUS (See RBG). Second, if the repubs had enough backbone to filibuster a dem nominee, the dems would go nuclear in a heartbeat. I can never figure out why repubs bring a pillow to a knife fight.