[William McKinley]

I doubt we will see it for a while, and it is counter-intuitive. 2/3 of the Senate is more votes than needing 60, but the key is that it is 2/3 of those present, and it would force the Democrats to be there just like the Republicans. If they only had a handful of their Senators there participating in the filibuster actively, the rule change would pass.

I would love to see a rule change that is as simple as "cloture on a judicial nomination can be obtained by a vote of 2/3 of the members elected and present". That would still allow a filibuster on a nomination, but it would make it that the filibustering side would need to keep their people there, just like the side trying to get something through.

And keeping them there would be very, very sweet once we get into campaign season. I am sure that Senators Graham, Lieberman, Kerry and so forth would generate some hard feelings within their party if they tried to say "you guys stay in that room all day, I have fundraising and campaigning to do".

[ken5050]

Excellent analysis..very telling point about the need for the dem candidates to get out and fund raise...they won't want to be chained to the desk on weekends.......