So, it looked like we would not have the votes to win. It looked like we would probably come close or JUST make it, but we needed really really good luck.
What did we want to accomplish? We wanted the filibuster to remain fully intact. AND UNDER THIS DEAL, IT WILL.
So the half of the judges will be confirmed. Fine. Some wont. The Filibuster will remain intact.
What does this do? The extremist wing of the Republican Party was just handed a huge defeat. Bill Frist showed he cannot control the Republicans in his own caucus.
A leading Republican contender for 2008 was all but squashed.
Extreme Republicans were just handed a huge defeat. AND WE GOT WHAT WE WANTED.
This did not show that Dems have no spine. It showed that dems are willing to negotiate if it is good for the country.
Dont complain. This deal was good. We benefit from this deal. Frist is done. Reid is now a good bargainer and someone that we can work with. We got the job done. Be thankful. IT COULD BE ALOT WORSE.