Let me once again quote Machiavelli on this subject.
If you have to do something politically unpopular, do it quickly, do it early, and do it thoroughly and all at once. Don't drag it out.
The longer the Republicans wait, the more time the media have to work people up about this, and the angrier the Republican voters get at the delays. A fair number of conservatives don't trust the Republicans on this issue, and more and more of them are going to be wondering if they did the right thing voting for these spineless weaklings yet again. Meantime, the Democrats are rallying their base and propagandizing the uncommitted with their media machine.
So, do it now!
I keep sending back my RNC solicitation letters with a note that basically says....."When the Pubs get some b*lls and go nuclear on the judicial nominations, you'll get some of our money." We all should NOT send the RNC ANY money until they've done their job!