[San Jacinto]

*if* the Republicans lose the cloture vote, that means the "real" filibuster starts, do I have that right?

Yes. The "real" debate starts with a failed cloture vote and it continues until either (1) 60 Senators vote for cloture or (2) the Republicans decide they will never get the 60 votes, so they pull the nomination from the floor with no up or down vote being taken.

[GOPrincess]

Thanks much to all for confirming that I've got a handle on understanding the upcoming possibilities in the cloture/filibuster process.