we refused to use the nuclear option, even as the GOP blocked all our nominees, because... tradition?

Decorum?

Because "if we do it, then they'll do it too?"

As if anything would stop the GOP from doing whatever it wants once they have the power.

When oh when will we ever learn?

I know, I know. It's hard, and people are used to the default attack option, but Schumer is really doing good on this nominee thing, and forcing the GOP to abandon their own rules is a good use of leverage.

Breath in. Breath out. Give kudos to Schumer here. You can do it, I promise.

good work then, and when it might have made much more of a difference.

I'm hoping the various elements of the leadership have learned their lesson, and I suppose better late than never.

As for "breathe in breathe out"--people I know and love are at direct risk entirely because of this administration.

Canceling cancer clinical trials is going to make it very difficult for at least one of my dear friends to breathe at all.

with respect to "nominations", the "nuclear option" was already invoked under Obama by Reid (and expanded under 45 by Turtle).

I think in this case, they are talking about other things to "speed up the process", like "limiting debate" (which currently stands at 2 hours per nominee, equally divided IIRC).

If the nuclear option for judicial nominations was in place, how is it that Merrick Garland's nomination to the USSC never came up for a vote?

And I seem to recall quite a few nominees were left in limbo due to Republican stonewalling. For example:

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/republican-senators-vow-to-block-future-biden-judicial-nominees

What am I missing here?

At one time, all nominees required 60 votes before being considered for the final debate and vote. That was dispensed with.

In the case of Obama's nominees, Turtle simply "didn't schedule a vote at all", and sat on the nomination for 9 months, claiming that they needed to "wait until after the election to allow the next President to select the nominee".

THAT is the power of the Majority Leader of the Senate (and the GOP controlled the Senate at that time).

Do you think I should delete my post?

It may be that your clarification may inform others as well, so perhaps not? I don't mind people knowing I've been mistaken,

If anything, the Rules of the Senate are obscenely obscure!

https://riddick.gpo.gov/

They even have bound copies! From Jeff Merkley a few years ago -

Link to tweet

and best wishes.

Insults, wackazoid ideas, or random musings.

24 nominees. I'm sure they are the Best People.

fucking rules just for this fucking regime, as per usual.

Fuck them.