[Bluegrass Federalist]

This is just to get the Dems on record as being unwilling to compromise. The GOP will let this get filibustered. The nuclear option is being saved for the SCOTUS nominee. Then they can say "Look, it's our Consitutional duty to advise and consent. The Dems obstructed. We tried to change the rules so that they could still filubuster and yet an up-or-down vote as required by the Constitution could be had. They left us no choice but to appeal to the Chair to rule that filibusters of judicial nominees are not recognized. BTW, we vote on the SCOTUS nominee in 15 minutes. Estrada, Owen, Pickering and the others after lunch."

That's my take on it. Don't go nuclear until it's time. That way the NY Times doesn't have time to mount their big campaign until the fight's over.

[nyconse]

Yep, that's right. I think you are absolutely correct. The Republicans will get the nominees approved and not take a political hit for being partisan.

[rwfromkansas]

I just hope the GOP will go nuclear if they have to.

[Notwithstanding]

Yes - see #203 - for the rule they plan to use later on. This is simply taking away the dimocrites future charge that the GOP did not try to work wihin the system - now the GOP can point to the failure of this resolution as further evidence of dimocrite obstructionism.