"when the Dems controlled the Senate too, and "
They had no greater power than the GOP does today. A filibuster was possible.
If republicans are not going to ever use the filibuster, then get rid of it now and stop this pussy-footing around. Patrick Leahy is a snake who can never be trusted . Now, Hatch, now. Get the senate rules amended to remove this unlawful ability to filibuster. Then get the nominated judges approved--or at least a vote. Now. Now Now. Do not put this off. Dont you dare tolerate this situation into the 2004 election. NOW!
Its not quite so trivial to remove the filibuster from the Constitution.
The Reps do have the 'nuclear option', but my guess here is they are hoping to use the Dems sordid bigoted activities in regards to judges against them in 2004 with the hope it will really hurt the Dems in the Senate.
Personally, I'd go straight for the 'nuclear option' and tell the partisan press where to get off when they started "reporting" Dem party press releases, since we know if the situation was reversed that's what the Dems would do. But then that's me.