These two paragraphs in today's NY Times pretty much explain the entire nuclear option debate:
On Friday, reports spread among social conservative groups that have pushed hardest for the rule change that Republican aides were preparing them for a possible deal, officials of three groups said.They had nothing to worry about. Bill Frist is doing their bidding....the nuclear option debate is all about the giving more and more power to the right wing nuts (which, of course includes the Bush White House.)
"I immediately contacted Frist's office," said Paul Weyrich, founder of the Free Congress Foundation, who said he heard the reports from others. "They said flat-out it is just not true, period." Mr. Weyrich added, "I don't know if they have got the votes or not, but they are not involved in any compromise."
