[GOPrincess]

I'm talking about Lautenberg's brain surgery near the start of the year, which followed a bump on the head while skiing. I never heard if he was back at work after that.

Thanks.

[nicmarlo]

I was unaware of Lautenberg needing surgery....as I missed H&C last night, too.

[BaBaStooey]

if Democrats are out to lunch during a cloture vote it doesn't matter, unless they are with us.

One person can keep a 'fillibuster' going and prevent cloture as long as the side that wants to invoke cloture can't get 60. Daschle only needs to prevent us from getting 60. If 2 dems (Kerry and Lautenberg) are gone, then Daschle only needs 39 on his side.

Byrd could be the only Dem on the other side out there, the cloture vote can go 59-1, and Byrd can keep right on talking.