Sigh.
The "nuclear option" was a mechanism that would allow Republicans to override a Democratic filibuster without the 2/3 vote. This was back in 2005, when Democrats were filibustering Bush appointees. Interesting how obstruction of a President back then was considered a high moral calling.
The comments from Democrats I quoted above were a response to this threat. Democrats glorifying the filibuster as the preserver of democracy. Of course, this was back when it worked for the Democrats and not against them. Situational ethics.