Take a look at this blog and then see if you are still optimistic.. They said it better than anyone on this thread:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/
I couldn't disagree more.
You, like others, are taking Dems at their word. That's foolish.
You just made two incredibly ridiculous statements: "each of Bush's nominees will get a vote...". Really? Looks like only three.
"The bar is high for future filibusters". Again, really? By whose standards? Yours? You forget these are DEMOCRATS and they have no bar. Do you not understand their use of "extraordinary circumstances" is a big enough loophole of a definition to drive six million trains through?
Are you going to tell me you trust Democrats to not define "extraordinary circumstances" as something trivial? These are people that call Pat Owen "extreme" and "controversial" because she upheld Texas law on parental notification for a MINOR getting an abortion.
Then you make the ridiculous assumption that the same seven RINO's will, after being stabbed in the back by the Dems yet again because they were stupid enough to believe them in the first place, will stand up for principle. Are you high? They'll pull the same crap when we try to push the issue yet again. Especially if it's a SCOTUS seat because then we'll be forced to hear about how important a Supreme Court justice is, blah, blah, blah.
And what happens to the recent renominations of 20 previously stalled judges Bush recently announced? Huh? Ever think about that?
Do actually believe the Dems aren't emboldened by the fact they can peel off cowardly pubbies by using rhetoric and pressure? Do you think this will stop at judges?
No my friend, you are sorely mistaken. This is a horrible, horrible defeat for Republicans. They've shown their weakness to the enemy that will do nothing but continue to take advantage of their fecklessness. All while the base will be so disgusted they again will pull their support.
You obviously do not understand the fragile nature of the conservative base. Don't forget this is the once "silent majority" that normally just vote without getting really involved. But they did during the 1980's and topped it off in 1994 only to be repeatedly disappointed and taken for granted like the blacks in the DNC.
And they will again pull support, stay home, quit sending money and take care of their communities and families and do what they can to buffer their ever increasing tax burden, remove their kids from rotten public schools, shelter and protect their businesses, etc.
Ayn Rand had it right - Atlas is shrugging.