If in fact, a Filibuster "was" promised,....."promise" is NOT FACT,....meaning if the bill came out of committee(THAT WOULD BE A FACTUAL EVENT), then the Sen. president(If he's GENUINELY serious about TRYING to make CHANGE) has an Obligation to..."Try" !
I don't(quite) remember what the make-up at the time of the GOP controlled Sen. was(a 55/45 mix sounds somewhat familiar), and throw in a squirrely Indy like Joe Lieberman, they would have had a decent "shot" when you factor in.."nervous" "D's" like Pryor/Lincoln(AR).....Nelson(NE), and Mary L. (LA).
But alas, we'll never know now, will we dell ?
One thing I do know, is the BIG $$$ BOYS at the BANKS/Wall Street weren't shedding any tears, over a LACK of an ATTEMPT by the GOP full Senate !!!!!!!!!!