On Capitol Hill, a surprise compromise was reached Monday night to avert a showdown over judicial nominees. The deal — agreed upon by a bipartisan group of 14 Senators — came less than 24 hours before the Republican leadership was expected to change the Senate rules in order to deny Democrats the ability to filibuster judicial nominees. Under the agreement, the Republican leadership will not implement a ban on judicial filibusters. Meanwhile Democrats will allow votes to proceed on at least three of President Bush’s nominees for federal judgeships. News analysts say the compromise represents more of a cease fire than a long term deal. The Los Angeles Times reports the agreement includes two big loopholes that could come back to haunt the Senate: Democrats reserved the right to filibuster future judicial nominations in “extraordinary circumstances.” Meanwhile Republicans kept the power to revisit the so-called nuclear option if they believe Democrats are filibustering in circumstances that do not reach that standard. The Democratic leadership has hailed the compromise as a victory. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid spoke to reporters last night shortly after the agreement was reached.