Is this a bad thing?
I think the "bad thing" about what Lopez said is that there is a perception from some, that this whole episode made Frist look ineffectual and not "in charge" of his causcus...
Which is what the Majority Leader is supposed to do..therefore it isn't good either for President Bush's agenda there rest of his term, or Senator Frists prospects as a Presidential candidate...
As far a George Allen is concerned, he is a winner by virtue of NOT being the Majority Leader and having this look bad on him....but, since he hasn't wavered his support for Frist and Bush's nominees, he looks good...
That is how I read her interview with Hugh Hewitt--you can decide if you think that is good or not...personally, I don't think is was a very positive sign