Any chance there was no case to make?
If there case is like this no wonder they couldn't make it:
"...using procedural maneuvers inside the Beltway - I think has been the wrong way of going about it."
Despite his criticism, Obama announced his intention to support the maneuver designed to block - or delay - Alito's confirmation this week"
Essentially what he is saying is I dont support it but I'm going to support it. He is choosing to do what he acknowledges is wrong.