I think this is due to the rats not having control of either house or the presidency for the first time since the Eisenhower administration. I don't count 2000 because of the demonstrated fragility of the GOP majority then.
They are just freaking out that they NOW no longer can call the shots. They also lost the patsy GOP leader who was Lott. Only if Terrel & Thune had pulled it out.
It is funny that the Dems might have steamrolled Lott..but Frist won't back down......surgeons have cojones.....