This time, Mr Frist and all the other pretenders to the throne in 2008 are freer to define themselves.

ECONOMIST: Hardly a triumph. But don't count George Bush out just yet

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist began the long-anticipated debate saying it was time to have an up or down vote on Priscilla Owen, the president's nominee to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

NPR: Senate Heads Toward Filibuster Showdown

Mr. STEVE ELLIS (Vice President, Taxpayers for Common Sense): It really came down to Majority Leader Frist and whether he was going to schedule time for those bills on the floor.

NPR: Congress Unlikely to Complete Budget Duties