the Gang of Fourteen agreement is not the cause of this latest problem, it is an example of the same weakness at the center of the Senate.
we have RINOS in the Senate that can't be trusted to vote for a partisan known conservative nominee, and the Dems have moderates who are uncomfortable with using the filibuster.
we need to get conservative Republicans elected in the Red States, and let the Blue States elect Democrats. We so no good in the long term with Liberal Republicans from Blue States. As long as we stay in the majority, we can afford to jettison RINOs in the Blue States.
we have RINOS in the Senate that can't be trusted to vote for a partisan known conservative nominee, and the Dems have moderates who are uncomfortable with using the filibuster.
I'm not sure what point you are trying to argue here. With that agreement they agreed to take over the Senate and gained greater influence over the entire government. I told people that at the time, and they vehemently denounced that assessment.
Damn right there are Dems in red states that don't want to act, that's why you force them to a vote. Force them to commit on record. Then use it against them in their eletions if they make the wrong choice. You call the bullies bluff.
Granted, if put on scene like that where they would be forced by their constituents to vote right they'd rataliate elsewhere. Tax cuts. WOT. But they are already looking to raise taxes, and withdraw. They just protected the terrorists in a bill!
What I am saying is that the President is made weaker by appeasing them, and in the long run, it won't matter. Give them two years and they'll have our troops pulled out, taxes going up, and any number of ills UNLESS something dramatically changes in the Senate. They need to be faced down and defeated.