re: Harry Reid's nuclear option to appoint Federal judges pays off.

I think that the filibuster should NOT be allowed for Cabinet appointments, because those persons serve at the pleasure of the President and, in almost all cases, are gone with a change in Administration.

Agency appointments - tougher call because they are usually the ones riding herd on enacting regulations (where the real power is these days).

HOWEVER, when you are talking about a LIFETIME appointment, the filibuster should be allowed. This should force presidents from either political persuasion to select more moderate nominees.