Reply #71: Sure. It takes Frist out of the picture.

[demwing]

Not all Republicans are alike, obviously. Now Frist takes a back seat. Say what you will about McCain, but I'd rather have him guarding the filibuster than Frist.

The filibuster stands. It still takes a 60 seat majority to lockdown the filibuster. If nothing else, the compromise brings delay, and delay is a sharp tool for the Democrats. It will be much harder for Frist to build the momentum he previously held.

For the Republicans to put together another anti-filibuster majority, they'll have to start up the process all over again. Compromise wins over stubborness.

Now WE strike while the iron is hot. Time and momentum are on our side.

We must take back the Senate. All of our efforts in 2006 must be concentrated on the Senate.

And now we have a great tool. I can see and hear the commmercial now:

"The GOP leadership wanted to turn the Senate into a rubber stamp for the Whitehouse. The Democratic party fought to ensure the separation of powers, provided for in our constitution. In that fight, only 7 brave Republicans joined the Democrats in their battle.

"We must not let any one party consolidate our three branches of government into one. This November, remember the Senators that fought for the rights of the people over the desires of a political party. Vote for balance in the US Senate. Vote for Democracy. Vote Democratic."