The fourteen senators refers to the seven Republicans and seven Democrats who issued their agreement between themselves putting the kibosh on the neuclear option and rescinding a number of filibusters. The seven Republicans who refused to vote for the neuclear option took away the Republican simple majority. The seven Democrats who issued the agreement take away the filibustering option, unless it is decided amongst the fourteen (or, more accurately, the seven Democrats) that it is extraordinary circumstances. The agreement between them isn't law and only has weight amongst the fourteen of them, but effectively set policy in the Senate for the remainder of the session of congress.

As for Kerry, he came a lot closer than I expected, but, yes, there were many better choices.

-Dan