Reply #9: If there are not the votes for a filibuster

[rpannier]

then it's sort of a dead issue. If there are are five hold outs then it won't happen. I'm guessing, and I have nothing to prove this, that Landrieu (LA), Pryor (AR), Nelson (NE), Nelson (FL), Salalzar (CO) are not on board and there may be two or three others.
Personally, I want them to filibuster this guy. But there are people here at DU who want every nominee and appointee by scrub filibustered and that's just unrealistic.
As to doing this without Reid -- Again, it ain't gonna happen. The Democratic Leadership has shown a tremendous amount of unity and organization. Boxer, Durbin and Reid have done a terrific job leading the Party. You have to have Reid's leadership to successfully filibuster.