I agree that 2 years ago they didn't have the votes, so they shouldn't have made the threat then. But when you have the votes and keep making idle threats, the other side just ignores you, or worse, use it against you and to their benefir "we stopped them from destroying the senate!". Truth is, neither Lott nor Frist have the testicular fortitude for leadership. They're gutless wonders.
Okay, I understand what you meant by threatening two years ago. I can't, just yet, put Frist in the same category as Lott though. Trent was content to be a Senator for the rest of his life and spray his hair for Sunday talk show appearances. Frist, on the other hand, played his cards just right last session. The Dems had all of the spine you talk about then lost seats as a result and put the Republicans in a better position.
What they do with their position is critical to me too but I'm trying to resist keeping daily score. I say turn up the heat on them and judge by the final results.