In evaluating "the deal" in Senate, don't forget:

[Inland]

1. The dems in the senate are the minority and were never going to be able to do anything but block the worst nominations for appellate and SCT.

2. The repugs were looking for a way to end any restriction on presidential power or majority rule on the senate.

Seems to me that the end result of the deal remains the status quo: the ability of the dems to block is lessened, since they had to promise not to use the power, and the ability of the repugs to end any restriction is lessened, since a significant majority has conceded the constitutionality of the filibuster and the propriety of the filibuster "in extreme situations."

I think, however, the deal has bled some pressure from the repug side. Now there isn't going to be a dozen seats plus a supreme court nom or two on the line the next time the repugs think of pulling the trigger. Less at stake, less reason to go extreme on their side. We may be able to filibuster the SCt nomination yet.

[Gothmog]

1. Well said

There was a real chance that Frist would have been able to implement the nuclear option and that the democrats would be cast as obstructionists. Newt lost it for the gop when he shut down the govt and there was a chance that the same could have happen to the Democrats.

[ClintonTyree]

3. What the heck.....

we're the minority party now. How much worse can it get? At some point Democrats have to win a battle, and if you always run from them that's never going to happen.

If we were the majority party in either house I could understand it, we'd have something to lose. But when you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose. So fight! What the hecks the difference?

[suigeneris]

6. Because retaining the ability to filibuster for the SC trumps

anything to do with the appeals court judges.

[ginnyinWI]

2. It has taken power away from the chimp and his far right fringe

That's a main point to remember. He has lost his rubber stamp. The repub senators are beginning to slip their leashes. I can already hear the religious right warming up their threats.

The GOP is crumbling, and I see a Dem majority on the horizon!

[ClintonTyree]

5. I really don't see how he's lost his rubber stamp....

people are forgetting that you CAN'T trust a Republican to do anything they say they're going to do. People are putting far too much faith here in the Pukes' integrity, we all know they have none.

[ginnyinWI]

9. well if they were going to do it,

why didn't they decide to do it tomorrow? They found that they didn't have the votes. I'm not trusting their integrity, and I don't think Reid is, either. He's cordial, he's working with them, but he remains wary.

[killbotfactory]

4. the fringe right lost

i don't understand all the naysaying.

[Inland]

7. Maybe it's because while the fringe right lost,

the dems didn't really win. Everything else is left for future fights. So it can seem disappointing.

[killbotfactory]

8. This fight made the repubs look like idiots to the public

I wouldn't put it past them to try again, but it will only make them look worse.

[TheGunslinger]

10. Exactly.