According to analyisis by New York Times' Richard Stevenson, last night's compromise is a "limited victory." And the photo that accompanies the piece has both Reid and Frist smiling after the press conference last night. Now, my initial gut reaction last night was one of dissapointment. Some of the worst conservative judges are going to get through. This is exactly what Stevenson cites as proof of Bush's "limited victory." Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you watch the video of Frist's speech on the Senate floor following the fillibuster deal press conference, don't you get the impression that the majority leader didn't like the outcome? If anything, it's a win/lose situation for everyone. Definitely not anything close to a victory for Bush.
Liberal media my ass.
My favorite graf in the piece is an unattributed quote from a "veteran Republican with close ties to the White House."
"The only reason he's still up there in the 40's is that the Democrats are really brain dead and have nothing positive to put on the table," said one veteran Republican who has close ties to the White House, referring to approval ratings in polls that are at or near Mr. Bush's low points.
As if to say that it's only the Democrats fault that Bush's poll numbers aren't lower. How about the kool aid drinking Bush-lovers who would still support him even if things got worse? It is a bunch of bullshit to say that Democrats have nothing to offer. It's called doing the opposite. But before you can change course, one must be convinced that there is a reason to do so. Get it?