Yes 11 months is a long time to put this off.
But it could happen.
On the other hand, Justice Kennedy was confirmed in Feb. 1988, with less than a year to go in Reagan’s term.
The liberals are eager to fill this vacancy. But the GOP has 54 Senators. The Senate is in session, so Obama cannot do a recess appointment if the Senate stays in session the rest of his term. Stay tuned for a major political fight. Will the GOP fight back???
It could happen, but I’m skeptical that Mitch McConnell will hold off for that long. I hope that he will prove me wrong!