Flake's situation reminds me of the closing scene in the show 1776 when the fate of independency falls on Judge James Wilson's vote.
Franklin: There it is, Mr. Wilson. It's all up to you now. The whole question of American independence rests squarely on your shoulders. An entirely new nation ready to be born or to die at birth, all on your say-so. Which will it be, Mr. Wilson?Dickenson: Come now, James. Nothing has changed. We mustn't let Dr. Franklin create one of his confusions. The question is clear.
Wilson: Most questions are clear when someone else has to decide them.
Adams: It would be a pity for a man who's handed down hundreds of wise decisions from the bench to be remembered only for the one unwise decision he made in Congress.
Dickenson: James, you're keeping everybody waiting. The secretary has called for your vote. Please.
Wilson: Don't push me, John. I know what you want me to do. But Mr. Adams is correct about one thing. I'm the one who'll be remembered for it.
Dickenson: What do you mean?
Wilson: I'm different from you, John. I'm different from most of the men here. I don't want to be remembered. I just don't want the responsibility.
Dickenson: Yes, well, whether you want it or not, James, there's no way of avoiding it.
Wilson: Not necessarily, John. If I go with them, I'll just be one among dozens. No one will ever remember the name of James Wilson. But if I vote with you, I'll be the man who prevented American independence. I'm sorry, John. I just didn't bargain for that.
Somebody needs to pull Flake aside and tell him that he will go down in history as the man who prevented the return to the rule of law in the Supreme Court, and only for the petty reason of personal pique against the President.
Flake will be the person who put himself above the fate of the entire nation for many generations to come.
-PJ
Flake has already said he’s not going to obstruct