Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee has dug in his heels on winning confirmation of President Bush's most controversial judicial nominees. But beyond his grasp, a group of Democrats and Republicans has been working on a compromise that would allow votes on some nominees and avert a debilitating confrontation. Such a bipartisan deal could undercut Frist's political standing in his remaining months as Senate leader. He's indicated he won't seek another term next year. Vanderbilt University professor Bruce Oppenheimer sees Frist's stance as unusual. Oppenheimer says majority leaders tend to leave themselves room to maneuver, but says Frist has...
