We also face Flake blocking the nomination.
Why do you think he will block the nomination? He hasn’t blocked any so far, and he may want a future in politics. He would truly have none were he to do this.
Manchin in WVa wouldn’t dare throw any hope of re-election away by opposing Trump’s pick. There are other Rat senators too. Trump has leverage to spare.
Senator Mike Lee was on Trump’s list and is a Mormon as I recall. Last year when Gorsuch was considered, Lee demurred, now he says he would consider it. I doubt Flake will block a Mormon.
Flake blocking the nomination is a real threat.
However, didn’t the GOP remove conservatives from committee positions under Boehner? The republicans can do the same to Flake and put somebody else in his place if he tries to block it. Can’t they?
Flake ranks about #8 in the Judiciary Committee Majority. He can’t obstruct anything. He’s lobbying for a job being interviewed by Chris Matthews.
Chairman Grassley knows how to get nominations to the Senate floor even if his own committee rebels.