After November, Ctd

Bernstein uses the Kagan confirmation to speculate about future Senate gridlock:

I don't really expect a full-blown train wreck over the budget, or over any must-pass legislation next year, no matter how well the GOP does in November.  But if there's a Supreme Court opening, and if the Democrats hold fewer than, say, 55 seats in the Senate, I think the odds of a real train wreck, a total stalemate, have to be well over 50/50.  And, again, if the Democrats fall below 55 Senators, I'll be surprised if the Senate manages to confirm very many Appeals Court nominees.