[tanknetter]

There’s still a lot of stuff that will come up in a lame duck session that will be subject to the standard 60-vote filibuster. If the Senate flips GOP with a lot of inbound Tea Party aligned Senators, and McConnell survives reelection, self preservation of his leadership position will provide the backbone and IMHO he’ll play hardball with any attempt to run through a slate of nominees.

[ken5050]

Could anyone please check the math. Coons was the surprise vote, to me..So if he’d voted yes, then Cornyn being absent would have let the guy through..

[Starstruck]

If the Senate flips GOP with a lot of inbound Tea Party aligned Senators, and McConnell survives reelection, self preservation of his leadership position will provide the backbone and IMHO he’ll play hardball with any attempt to run through a slate of nominees.

Problem is the new congress doesn't start until January and nominees fall under the new non-filibuster rule. If the Democrats lose the Senate, Reid will be very unhappy and will move as many nominees through as possible.