Dear Democratic senators opposed to filibuster reform:

Here's the "comity" you think you're protecting by resisting filibuster reform:



That means an argument that has been about the structure and power of the new regulatory bureau would quickly morph into one about whether the recess-appointed Cordray should be the guy running the place—with Republicans shining a spotlight on his “personal defects.”

"If you’re going to try to destroy the Senate, we’re going to go down swinging,” said a senior GOP Senate aide familiar with the planned Republican strategy.

The threat to personally attack any nominee pushed through by changing the Senate rules extends to all of Obama’s picks. But Cordray is a special case for Republicans, who until now have held his nomination hostage in their effort to force changes to the consumer bureau’s structure. Instead of a leader nominated by the president, Republicans want the regulator to be run by a bipartisan panel.