I fully expect him to nominate someone. Further, I think he should. It is his Constitutional responsibility. Thinking only in a non-partisan way, 11 months is a long time for the vacancy to just sit without some action.
Now, here is the BIG problem. The Republican Senate MUST hold firm. Obama would have to peel away 14 R's to confirm any nominee.
The distress among Conservatives and other Republicans should not be that the President will nominate a candidate; the concern SHOULD BE that their own party will stab them in the back during a confirmation battle.
Republicans aren't afraid of Obama; they are afraid of their own party. AGAIN.
Will the establishment FINALLY find a backbone in an election year? I doubt it.
You really think the Republican senate leadership would really waffle and let the Supreme Court enshrine executive branch over reach
I doubt it as well, but they need to know from us in no uncertain terms that if they do not stop this nomination they are finished as a political party.
If they will not be an opposition party they are worthless.
This is the hill they die on.
Whether they like it or not.