IT’S THE $64,000 QUESTION on Capitol Hill these days: Do Republican senators have the 50 votes needed to end judicial filibusters? Senate majority whip Mitch McConnell thinks so. “I never announce my whip count,” he said Sunday on the CBS program Face the Nation. “But I’m telling you there’s no doubt in my mind . . . that we have the votes we need.” Leading GOP senators privately concur. No matter that several Republicans are still hedging. When push comes to shove, the votes will be there.

If you’re Senate majority leader Bill Frist, that’s the optimistic way to look at things. But given the recent John Bolton confirmation bungle, Republicans will make extra sure all their ducks are in a row before moving on judges.