Filibuster reform should be all or nothing... quit with the stupid nuclear options just to get what you want only when you think it's important. They should require actual filibusters to be a filibuster, and that'd solve everything.
The "nuclear option" isn't a type of filibuster reform, it's a procedural way for Reid to pass real reform (requiring a spoken filibuster, like you suggested) that only requires 51 votes to pass. It's kind of a stupid name, because only in the US Senate would something passing by a majority be called "nuclear."
I understand what the nuclear option is. But the way to go about not having your nominees filibustered is not to say, "Well, nominees should be an exception to the filibuster rule."
Why not? A nominee is fundamentally different from a piece of legislation. For example, the ability to pressure the majority to allow an amendment to a bill be considered prior to a vote on that bill is one of the most important benefits of the filibuster.
