Today Cheney said that if it came down to his vote, he would vote to use the nuclear option.
There's only one way to get out of this. Shut down the Senate.
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
What this means is that the Senate can be shut down by removing 52 of the Senators. Without a majority, the Senate cannot operate.
Could we find 52 senators that would be willing to do this? Perhaps only the threat would be enough to keep the Republicans from invoking the option. But what if they call the bluff? Would this be too drastic of an option?
Any thoughts welcome.
Quick explanation of the nuclear option to anybody who's been under a rock for the last month:
Instead of a vote of cloture, somebody would bring up a point of order to end a filibuster. Bill Frist would move to end the debate, and 51 of the senators would have to vote on his point of order. A vote of cloture is the accepted means of ending a filibuster, and it takes 60 votes. With only 55 members in the Senate, the Republicans are stuck with a filibuster unless they take the nuclear option.
jbane explains it in more detail here.