A "test" vote? (re: nuclear option)

[Peachhead22]

I think I just heard on CNN that Tuesday Frist plans on having a "test" vote on the Nuclear option. I didn't think you could do that. Before the vote get together with your caucus behind closed doors, get a head count, discuss, cajole, threaten, whatever...fine. But when you vote, you vote.

Not vote and if you goes the way you want, fine. If not, focus on the guys who didn't vote the way you wanted and vote again after some arm twisting.

Did I hear CNN wrong or did I misunderstand or is this another example of 'Pub bulls**t?

[splat@14]

1. I heard it on NPR this AM.

I was wondering what the hell a "test vote" is?

[comsymp]

3. As I understood it, Frist is going to call a cloture vote on Owen

Basically, the "test" is whether or not they'll be able to get the votes for cloture. If it doesn't pass, THEN they'll go nuclear.

[bullimiami]

2. i really dont understand how this is remotely legit

first.
it requires a 2/3 vote to make a rule change. They dont have that. 67 votes.
It takes 60 votes to break a fillibuster and they dont even have that.
They cant just take a simple majority and pretend to make a new rule that changes existing rules.

The only possibility I see is that they declare 215 years of senate procedure unconstitutional.
This would eliminate ALL fillibusters in the Senate. Either the senate can set the rules or they cant. The constitution clearly says they can.

This is total BULLSHIT. Why even pretend to have rules or laws if you are going to break them and that applies to all of these thugs. They should all be rotting in jail.

If this happens every non-fascist should stop paying taxes and call a general strike because law will be truly dead in this former democracy.

[kentuck]

4. The Party "whips" will take a count....

and see who need more beatings...