A historical parallel

Regarding the nuclear option, The New York Times has reported today that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is not interested in a compromise that prevents judicial nominations reported out of committee from receiving confirmation votes.

Here's Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid quote in the article:

''As part of any resolution, the nuclear option must be off the table,'' said Reid, referring to the GOP threat to change the filibuster rules.

Doesn't that remind you of another historic confrontation? As written by President Reagan referring to the negotiations at Reykjavík:

Then, after everything had been decided, or so I thought, Gorbachev threw us a curve. With a smile on his face, he said: "This all depends, of course, on you giving up SDI."