There is a dangerous gambit that might be in play. Since there are a handful of worthless and dangerous Republican senators offering to torpedo the nomination unless their fruity demands are met, there is another consideration.
What are the very best election projections for the senate?
That is, if there is a projection that the Republicans will pick up a bunch of senate seats, then President Trump may decide to submit a “sacrificial goat” nominee, guaranteed to lose, so that the *next* senate will vote for the one he really wants. What would this accomplish?
It would enrage the Republican rank and file, who would be even more inclined to turn out for the mid-terms, maybe increasing Republicans in the house and maximizing the senate. Plus it would insure that the next nominee would be more like Gorsuch.
However, if the senate election projections are indeterminate:
It would be a deal with some of the Democrats in red states that they would vote down the current nominee then for the next justice, as a few did for Gorsuch. This would shore up their voting base to improve their election odds, which would still overcome the worthless Republicans.
Of course it sounds far fetched, but Washington is all about ruthless horse trading like this.
I don’t think trump would go with a “sacrificial lamb” but if you’re implying that R’s are going to gain senate seats then i think you’re absolutely right ... and likely to replace a couple of RINO’s with conservatives too ... This group don’t match who i think are conservative leaders but i do respect opinions from Jim DeMint and Laura Ingram. I’m rather underwhelmed by this entire group of 7 or so finalists. much rather see a few heritage foundation originals in the group. I have some issues with all 7 of them but think Lee or Kavanaugh is worth supporting. Otherwise I’d rather hit the reject button and wait to try to get someone more “scalia-like”