All the minority candidates should be brought up during the 24/7 filibuster. Let's get some footage of Democrats criticizing the black guy, the black woman, the Asian, the Hispanic, etc. for use during the campaign. The truth is not negative campaigning.
The Republicans are in control of the Senate. It's long past time for them to act like it. The tyranny of the political minority party is unacceptable.
I wrote this last year; but I think the time to go 24/7 is in September or October, and do exactly what you say. Let it build slowly through the summer first. Let Kerry and Hillary make some tough votes, than go nuclear.