1. the ability to filibuster a SC nominee, when it actually counts.

2. the ability to block some of the judges, instead of none

3. Risk of losing the support of the electorate by 'shutting down the senate'

4. the ability to filibuster a SC nominee.

5. the ability to filibuster a SC nominee.

6. Demobilizing the right by giving them a defeat.

7. the ability to filibuster a SC nominee.

1. A wedge into the Republican Majority (reducing their power.)
   
2. The absolute embarassment of Frist (reducing his power.)
   
3. A slap at Bush (reducing his "mandate" or power.)

AND - since Frist is SO FACED, he is shouting obscenely about the compromise, he looks like he is agasint it - and so far it seems pretty popular - so as he plays to the extremeists, the middle is losing faith - thus further reducing his power.

The Democrats might not have gained anything, but it's likely they have lost less than they would have otherwise.  The 14 have taken some real power away from the extreme right, but have taken only the illusion of power away from the left (unless you are absolutely convinced the Nuclear Option would have been a DUD or if you absolutely believe the backlash from the Nuclear option was worth the cost of putting ALL Bush's nominees in their positions AND his SC nominee if one them dies (since I doubt any of them will retire volutarily, even the conservatives.)

And becasue it was the minimum number of Senators, all the rest can spin it however they like...a face saving tactic that probably gives the 14 Moderates slighty more power than Frist (or Reid) realizes.

That's how I feel today, in any case.