today. so there are folks reluctant to change them saying the better thing is to restore the social contrast. quite frankly, we've tried that. the minority leader and the democratic leader worked out a gentleman's agreement two years ago. it failed utterly. it's just clear, we're not in the same world. >> sir, how do you define failure? >> well, we failed in the sense that it was supposed to eliminate these huge number of filibusters and allow us to get an agenda on the floor. no longer have the blocking of bills before we get to the floor and to greatly expedite nominations, neither of those happened. if anything, we had more filibust filibusters. it simply wasn't possible as a gentleman's agreement among leaders. realize, they're constrained by the fact that they can only persuade members of their caucus. they can't compel members of their caucus to stand aside and let things hit the floor. it only takes one senator to object to throw you into this super majority requirement.