Actually it's not referred to as a super majority and it's 6o votes, not 60+1. In 1975, the Senate reduced the number of votes required for cloture from two-thirds to three-fifths, or 60 of the current one hundred senators.

That being said the vice-president votes in case of ties.  With two independents, including Bernie Sanders, a reasonably competent administration would be able to secure two votes in the Senate.

I've have never heard the term "natural target" before.  Did it originate with you? 

Finally what "other nations" got into the middle in order to compete successfully?