[Sideshow Bob]

Does anyone know how many of those 44 Demorats lost their seats? And how many of them were independents?

Dems voting yea included:
Hollings
Graham (FL)
Nelson (NE)
Inouye
Byrd
Lincoln
Miller

The 44 nays (only 42 Dems, btw) included:
Dems
Landrieu
Breaux
Carnahan
Cleland

Independents
Barkley
Jeffords

Jesse's Folly, Max & the Widder are already out the door. Landrieu will be gone in 2 weeks and Breaux only voted nay as a feeble attempt to give her small political cover.

In addition to Breaux, Miller, Ben Nelson, Bob Graham, Lincoln and newcomer Mark Pryor (all Southern Dems except for Nelson of Nebraska) will not necessarily vote along partisan lines - especially regarding judicial appointments.

Hollings, Byrd and Inouye normally vote along party lines. Who knows which way Jeffords will go on any issue?

Counting a Terrell victory, the GOP will have 53 votes. They only need 7 Dems to break a fillibuster. At least 6 are possible on many issues.

Hollings, Inouye and Akaka are just a stroke away from giving Dubyah a fillibuster proof Senate.

Tread carefully, Mr. Daschle.

[Governor]

Thanks for the insight.

[goldstategop]

Yup. Hollings will retire next year and if one or both of those aging Hawaii Democratic lions should meet with an untimely end, the state's new Republican governor will fill the vacancies. I would urge The Daschle not to get too cocky about a filibuster threat just yet.

[Sideshow Bob]

The Democrat youth movement includes:
Byrd, age 85, term ends 2006
Hollings, 81, 2004
Inouye, 78, 2004
Akaka, 78, 2006
Lautenberg, 78, 2008