In November of  2013, the nation was "more divided than we have ever been before!" The issue at  hand was healthcare, and specifically the lawsuit that was headed to the  District Court over Obamacare.

Odd as it seems  today, at the time it was NOT at all clear what any Court would rule on the  matter. And on the DC Circuit, where the case was headed, there were three seats  open. The Senate had been unable to confirm President Obama's three nominees as  the democrats could not overcome the cloture rule to end debate. This left the  DC Circuit court in an odd position of being almost equally split between GOP  appointed Judges and Democrat appointed Judges which really put the matter up in  the air.

At just this  moment, onto the stage of history walked Harry Reid, the senate Majority Leader,  who announced that there would be a change tot he rules, and the cloture rule  was being "nuked" - at least as far as these three nominees went.

Oh... there was  great wailing and gnashing of teeth on the right, while the left rejoiced and  proclaimed eternal victories yet to come because of this brave and bold move by  the Majority Leader.

Less than half a  decade later, there was another round of weeping and gnashing of teeth. This  time, things were reversed and there was much condemnation of those who decided  to nuke the rules.

What happens if  Harry Reid doesn't invoke the nuclear option? What happens if Edmund G Ross  decided to listen to threats made against him and not vote his conscience on May  16, 1868?

Who?

You know... Edmund  G Ross, Major, USV, 11th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry... and Senator from the great  State of Kansas... That Edmund G. Ross...