Senate Republicans are moving to put some muscle behind their pitch to eliminate judicial filibusters after watching liberals push out TV ads against them in anticipation of a showdown over who sits on federal appeals courts.

“They’re ahead of the power curve,” Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said of the orchestrated effort by Democrats and groups such as MoveOn.org and People for the American Way. “I think you’ll see a greater, stepped-up message on part of the Republicans, to go on offense on this issues.”