Master of the obvious. ;-) McCain, Chaffee and Snowe are pretty much givens. Collins is a 60-40 bet (more likely to side with DEM than GOP on this).
In the end, I think all this side deal is a way for many Senators to spend time, vent frustration, comiserate, plot, socialize, "be collegial," keep the fences in good mend, and otherwise be unproductive. Frist will make them an offer that they will find quite agreeable, and they will vote on the nominee. I don't know why, but I think this nomination is going to work out just fine. Rumors of side deals will feed the media, but won't amount to a hill of beans.
IMO, these nominees are confirmed IF we burst every single trial balloon the RINO's send up.
I think they are testing our will, and I assure them, I WILL contribute to their defeat even if it means a Dem in office. DeWine, for example, if a fool if he thinks this will fly with an election '06. Ditto hagel.
Perhaps we should put the Cowardly six on Milr cartons.
"LOST: Have you seen this senator?"
"Last seen in the company of Democrat Party Senators, not heard from since."