A Stitch In TIme...

Saves 300 million. 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans reached a compromise that will, for the time being, hold off the power grab of the extremes. 3 of the judges being held up will get a vote soon. 2 more will be continued to be held. An additional 2 will likely be dropped during committee hearings.

The winners: 14 centrists Senators who know it is better to compromise than to be greedy; Judges Owen, Brown, and Pryor; 300 million Americans who still have some form of protection from the tyranny of the majority.

The losers: Senator Frist, James Dobson, William Myers III and Henry Saad.

I am not sure how I feel about the nominations of Owens and Brown going through. Owens has disdain for juries and anything that is not corporate. Brown has disdain for anything that is the federal government. But, I am happy that the Senators where able to reach compromise and avoid the nuclear winter that would have followed Senator Frist pushing the button on the nuclear option.

For the full run down

Wasthington post

LA times

New York Times

Update: This is the statement from Hary Reid's office

Statement of Democratic Leader Harry Reid

There is good news for every American in this agreement. The so-called
³nuclear option² is off the table. This is a significant victory for
our
country, for democracy, and for all Americans. Checks and balances in
our
government have been preserved.

The integrity of future Supreme Courts has been protected from the
undue
influences of a vocal, radical faction of the right that is completely
out
of step with mainstream America. That was the intent of the Republican
³nuclear option² from the beginning. Tonight, the Senate has worked
its
will on behalf of reason, responsibility and the greater good.

We have sent President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the
radical arm of the Republican base an undeniable message: Abuse of
power
will not be tolerated, and attempts to trample the Constitution and
grab
absolute control are over. We are a separate and equal branch of
government. That is our founding fathers¹ vision, and one we hold
dear.

I offered Senator Frist several options similar to this compromise, and
while he was not able to agree, I am pleased that some responsible
Republicans and my colleagues were able to put aside there differences
and
work from the center. I do not support several of the judges that have
been
agreed to because their views and records display judicial activism
that
jeopardize individual rights and freedoms. But other troublesome
nominees
have been turned down. And, most importantly, the U.S. Senate retains
the
checks and balances to ensure all voices are heard in our democracy and
the
Supreme Court make-up cannot be decided by a simple majority.

I am grateful to my colleagues who brokered this deal. Now, we can
move
beyond this time-consuming process that has deteriorated the comity of
this
great institution. I am hopeful that we can quickly turn to work on
the
people¹s business. We need to ensure our troops have the resources they
need
to fight in Iraq and that Americans are free from terrorism. We need
to
protect retiree¹s pensions and long-term security. We need to expand
health
care opportunities for all families. We need to address rising
gasoline
prices and energy independence. And we need to restore fiscal
responsibility and rebuild our economy so that it lifts all American
workers. That is our reform agenda, the people¹s reform agenda.
Together,
we can get the job done.