Gang of 14 gives approval to nomination

Am I the only one out there disturbed by the fact that the "Gang of 14" has, through a shrewd political maneuver, given themselves an almost extra-constitutional say over what Supreme Court nominees do and do not deserve an up or down vote?

The Gang of 14’s centrist Democratic and Republican senators met and gave preliminary approval yesterday to Harriet Miers as President Bush’s nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court.

Nothing is codified on this, so it is not unconstitutional or illegal, but it is disturbing that they managed to accumulate this power above and beyond what the Constitution and Senate rules normally gives senators in the process. Legally.