"If Frist gets enough votes to set off the nuclear option, the Democrats will end the deference to the Republican leadership in setting the agenda and instead bring up the issues that the public is interested in seeing addressed - health care, jobs, education, fiscal responsibility, etc. The Democrats will bring these issues to the floor and Republicans will be forced to go on record with their votes on each issue, up or down"

So what's the reason the Dems aren't already doing this? This seems to me the crux of the problem we face as a party...our representatives aren't doing their jobs. Instead, they cowtow to special interests and play bend over and smile with ruthless Republicans. I'm glad this threat might wake them up, but what a sad commentary on our system.

So what's the reason the Dems aren't already doing this?

Because the same stuffy Senate rules that give us the filibuster option also keep them from bringing stuff to the floor directly without going through committees.

This is the point of Reid's threat: If you decide you don't want to play by the Rules of the Senate, fine. Here's America's Agenda; let's vote, bitches.

Daschle?

Who's Daschle?

The nuclear option could be a good thing if Reid can pull off the responce he has planned. Sure lots of bad things may get passed in the short term but forcing the republicans to vote on issues will be sure to get them out of office.