Going nuclear

There is practically a consensus among reporters and pundits that Senator Frist’s stated determination to get judicial nominees confirmed at all costs is rooted in his intention to run for President in 2008. But I don't think it's as simple as that. Remember that when Dr. Frist beat out the competition for Majority Leader it was, as was widely reported, because he was Mr. Bush’s man.

That being the case, it’s fair to understand that it is Mr. Bush who intends to go nuclear if necessary to get what he wants — which should serve as a warning as we consider the challenges posed by Iran, Iraq, Korea, the UN, immigration, Social Security, energy, the environment and the deficit, just to name the obvious.