1. Anonymous says:

    On terms of reference: we’ve had the â€Nuclear Optionâ€, the â€Constitutional Optionâ€, the â€Byrd Optionâ€, etc.

    The Carpetbagger Report (via TPM) details a total of six (with â€Fairness Optionâ€, â€Filibuster Reformâ€, â€Majority Rules Optionâ€).

    I’m inclined to characterize my Failsafe Option as one of a broad class of responses, the â€Institutional Optionâ€.

    And I favor dubbing the â€Constitutional Option†the â€Orwellian Optionâ€.

    But Sen. Byrd, on the floor within the hour, goes us one better, nominating the â€Turnip Truck Option†— as in â€any cabbagehead can fall off the turnip truck and realize he has that option, but no fool in history has been fool enough to use it†(or words to that effect).

  2. Anonymous says:

    Sen. Byrd’s term is particularly appropriate, because the only person who would believe the current blocking of judges is unprecedented in the last 214 years is one who just fell off the turnip truck.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I linked to this previously under the um nuclear umbrella. You have all done the most impressive job. I am going to take all these links and drop them over here Nuke Notes, in latest and all continuing updates my way on this potentially dark disaster. Kudos.

  4. Anonymous says:

    As someone who would like to see the filibuster eliminated, as someone who would like to see the Senate weakened, and as someone who wouldn’t mind seeing this done by Frist getting his 50 votes, I’d like to offer a couple of alternative names:

    The Senate Weakening Option

    and

    The Republicans Haven’t Thought This Through Very Well Option

    —–

    And Petey would like to put his prognostication skills on record ahead of the final hours. After offering the important caveat that I could see this going either way, if I had to guess, I’d say:

    The Nuclear Option will not come to a vote on Tuesday.

    Either RonK’s delaying tactic will come to pass, or the Group of 12 will get their compromise. The Self Interest of Moderates will carry the day over the Long Arm of Leadership.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Hey, Petey, are you a professional athlete? I’m wondering because of your deft use of the third-person; you know, like â€â€™Ricky Henderson has to sign a contract,’ said outfielder Ricky Henderson, ’that will take care of Ricky Henderson and Ricky Henderson’s family’â€

    As for Petey’s predictions, I really don’t know what the hell is going to happen. I think Frist and Bush have let this thing get so far out of their control and in the control of the wingers that they can’t hold it back. I think Frist will push things as far as he can; what happens once the launch sequence is triggered, God only knows. But I will say this: I don’t think anyone in the Senate knows what’s going to happen either.

  6. Anonymous says:

    New Gallup poll is bad news for Bush (further drop in approval) and the kids in charge of the Senate. The American folks want (Democratic) grown-ups in charge.

    The question is whether this will affect the N.O. vote… but how could it not? Nothing like a poll to buck up moderates.

  7. Anonymous says:

    â€New Gallup poll is bad news for Bush … and the kids in charge of the Senate. … The question is whether this will affect the N.O. voteâ€

    According to The Note, last week the WH was trying to calm frayed nerves in the Senate by saying the elections are too far off for this to matter…

  8. Anonymous says:

    â€Hey, Petey, are you a professional athlete? I’m wondering because of your deft use of the third-personâ€

    Petey usually dips into the third person only for prognostication purposes.

    And FWIW, while Petey guesses that Frist (unfortunately) won’t get his way, this prediction does not rise to the certainty level of a Rasheed Wallace guarantee.

  9. Anonymous says:

    â€Do you think the country would be better off if the Republicans controlled Congress, or if the Democrats controlled Congress?â€
    Republicans 36% (41%)
    Democrats 47% (45%)

    That’ll calm frayed nerves, Petey. Wrong side of the aisle for the WH, though.

  10. Anonymous says:

    this prediction does not rise to the certainty level of a Rasheed Wallace guarantee.

    Those are very high probability guarantees, aren’t they?

  11. Anonymous says:

    Turn on CNN–waiting to start presser to announce deal averting filibuster…

  12. Anonymous says:

    Boo! Hiss!

    I don’t like the terms. The Dems should have stood firm on stopping at least one of either Brown or Owens.

  13. Anonymous says:

    The agreement doesn’t preclude the GOP going nuclear over a Supreme Court nomination filibuster…

  14. Anonymous says:

    Okay, I can see where this is a blow to Frist, but someone explain to me why I shouldn’t feel let down at seeing Owen and Brown go through.

    I have to say, the word â€Munich†is floating vaguely to my brain. (Seeing Lieberman’s smiling face out there isn’t helping)

  15. Anonymous says:

    Semi-OT. Does anyone know anything about this deal that CNN is breaking, because if these people have said okay to Rogers and Owen, then I’m pretty disgusted with these Beltway Democrats.

  16. Anonymous says:

    â€I have to say, the word â€Munich†is floating vaguely to my brain.â€

    Agreed. Reid blinked first, and he shouldn’t have.

  17. Anonymous says:

    I wonder is someone has a secret whip count on either Brown or Owen that we don’t know about.

    The deal itself isn’t very exciting, but I wonder if there are more surprises to come.

    No bets, though.