Peace In Our Time

Well it seems the Senate has avoided going nuclear on the subject of filibustering judicial nominations, at least for the very short term.

My gut tells me this is a bad deal for the Republicans. Yes, it gets several judges to an actual floor vote in the short term, but it also shows that the GOP will blink, even when it has the upper hand. For all the talk of comity and compromise that you will read in the next day or so, I guarantee that this is what Harry Reid and his pals will remember.

I think the move probably also shows that the Senate GOP, or at least a sizeable chunk of it, still doesn't feel compelled to govern by conviction as does Dubya, but is instead more concerned with keeping its comfy status quo. On the other hand, Bill Frist seems to be well aware of what happens to Senators with wishy-washy records who try to make a move toward the White House, which probably explains why he is disassociating himself from the agreement. That McCain should be in the thick of it is pretty typical of the sort of maverick-centrist shtick he's been pulling for years.

UPDATE: Glenn's got a round-up of mixed reaction.

UPDATE DEUX: Michelle Malkin also rounds 'em up and has a great graphic too.

UPDATE TROIS: The Corner is all over it, of course, but not in lock-step.

UPDATE QUATRE: Oh, and I already know Steve-O is going to weigh in with his "what goes around, comes around" admonition. But I feel like being cranky this morning.

UPDATE CINQ: The Colossus is cranky, too.

UPDATE NEXT: Meanwhile, Trader Rob and See-Dubya are fighting for the controls of the Sandcrawler and squabbling over which direction to take it. I feel compelled to highlight one of TR's pro-agreement arguments:

It will be virtually impossible for the Dims to try and filibuster one of these nominees if they are ever in line for the Supreme Court because they have already capitulated on them.

You're kidding me, right?

UPDATE LAST: Kevin at Wizbang links to a copy of the agreement.