I would love, for once, to see a nominee "take the sixth" and refuse to answer the question by invoking their Article VI protection against religious tests.Each time the Senator pushes the question, the nominee should just declare "I am asserting my Article VI protection against religious tests and refuse to discuss the matter."
When the Senator persists, I would suggest replying with the following:
"How would you use my answer in your deliberations? You can't use it to disqualify me, so isn't it best that we don't even go there so there is no perception of taint in the confirmation process?Article VI is the same Article that requires the oath that YOU, Senator, swore to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.' Why won't YOU defend my protection against religious tests?"
-PJ
excellent