[kitkat]

***30 hrs of debate does NOT equal "getting serious" about conservative judicial nominees. "Damage control," "hoping this puts the issue to rest till after 04" and "placating the base" on the other hand...***

You're forgetting the "average" voter who barely knows who's running and takes his opinion from the TV when he happens to be watching news.

NOW he/she knows that the Democrats have obstructed the appointment of judges when the country is suffering because of the shortage of same.

[KantianBurke]

You're putting waaay too much faith in the "average" voter. Most folks are ignorant of the goings on in Washington and this silly stunt is and will be no different. Or to put it another way, do you honestly believe that Joe Schmoo will remember this in a month let alone allow it to influence his views?

[Dolphy]

NOW he/she knows that the Democrats have obstructed the appointment of judges when the country is suffering because of the shortage of same.

You are right. Those who think that there is some easy way around this if the Republicans would just get a backbone aren't paying attention, don't understand the rules of the Senate and have no long term plan to handle a SCOTUS nominee (which is what this is all about anyway). And recess appointments are absolutely no answer. Not only don't the nominees want them under these circumstances, they actually would just put off the real confrontation. The Republicans are going for public opinion, bringing the Dems out from the shadows.