I think Mark and I are talking past each other. I don’t think many conservatives maintain that the filibuster is useful as a tool to block judges. Rather, I think many conservatives believe that the filibuster is a useful legislative tool insofar as it allows conservatives to block the growth of government. The connection is that many conservatives rightly feared the proposed rule change for judicial nominations would lead to the complete elimination of the filibuster for all purposes the next time conservatives sought to block a liberal initiative. That is, getting rid of it where it is improper would lead to getting rid of it where it is proper and useful.