Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada)

ZZZZZ – Harry Reid couldn’t pull the trigger and the Senate is better for it.

Progressive senators working to dramatically alter Senate rules were defeated on Thursday, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and his counterpart, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), set to announce a series of compromise reforms on the Senate floor that fall far short of the demands. The language of the deal was obtained by HuffPost and can be read here and here.

The pressure from the liberal senators, led by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley and backed by a major coalition of progressive groups, created the political space for Reid to cut the deal with McConnell, which includes changes to how the Senate operates but leaves a fundamental feature, the silent filibuster, in place.

OK, the Dems surrendered because the prudent ones know that what goes around, comes around.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada)

The Nevada Democrat said he would give Republicans another 24 to 36 hours to agree to filibuster reform and then trigger the so-called nuclear option. This controversial tactic would allow him to change the Senate rules with a simple majority vote.

“I hope within the next 24 to 36 hours we can get something we agree on. If not, we’re going to move forward on what I think needs to be done. The caucus will support me on that,” Reid told reporters.

Although its use has been threatened in the past to spur the minority party to agree to reforms, the nuclear option has never been used to change the standing rules, say parliamentary experts.

But, if Dingy Harry really wants to change the United States Senate to be like the House, then so be it. The GOP will benefit as NOTHING in the Senate will be voted on by the GOP controlled House for at least the next two years.

The Democrats’ and the Obama agenda will be dead as the President drifts onward to total lame duck status.

Moreover, the GOP Senators will drag their feet even more (Senate business will grind to a halt), as they attempt to get even with the majority.

A deal will be struck.