With a deal to allow votes on five of seven presidential nominees stalled by Republican filibuster threats, the Senate pulled back from the brink. But it is not clear whether the compromise, struck after what amounted to a four-hour group-therapy session in the Old Senate Chamber, is a one-off—or a template for the future. “It buys time,” says former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle. “It’s not a permanent solution. We’re going to run into these challenges continuously. I give great credit to John McCain. He stepped into the void.”