Trump will need Cruz’s vote in the Senate for this battle. He will also need Cotton’s and Hawley’s vote (both on SC short list). With the current mix of 53 repubs, 45 dems, and 2 independents...Trump needs all these Senators voting. No way any of these three can be the President’s choice without jeopardizing the outcome.
Did you hear his joke? About how he put Cruz on the list because he is the only one who could get 100 votes. Every senator, R and D, would vote for him to get him out of the Senate ;-) He went on to praise Lyi...I mean Ted Cruz.
It’s going to take 50 votes, with Pence breaking the tie. Tell me who those 50 are and we can argue about the details. There are too many grandstanders and neverTrumpers in the Senate for confirmation to happen. That’s why I think Trump is just putting out a trial ballon, to identify who the rats are.
Making an announcement that he’s decided to delay making a nomination until after his re-election project such confidence it would drive the left nuts, and avoid a political fight he may not be able to win.
Unless someone’s got nekkid pics of Lisa Murkowski (heaven forbit) or one of Mitt drinking a beer.