No, they have to appear reasonable.
There’s no danger to them as Obama can’t find a nominee that would put R Senators who are up for re-election in a jam.
What type of nominee would put the R’s that are up for re-election in a jam? Probably a liberal loonie type.
What nominee would not? Probably a less liberal loonie type.
Am I correct?
I agree. The senate can’t stop obama in naming a nominee. But they can not schedule any hearings, nor committee votes, etc. They can have the nominee wait until January of next year until obama leaves office.
Also, they can vote ‘no’ in the committee and vote no in the senate. In other words, there are MANY areas where the republicans can appear as reasonable but still halt any election year nominees.