The GOP can use this filibuster obstruction insanity to their advantage.
I have no problem with obstruction, when done in normal opposition that's called "politics". But things like boycotting a committee meeting to try and hold up a vote is unprecedented, as is being this insane about holding up cabinet picks. If someone were way out there OK, but in general the senate on both sides has respected that a President is picking HIS cabinet, and gets a certain presumption.
so with that going on, I have no doubt the Dems will filibuster the SCOTUS pick until the cows come home.
That's not necessarily bad. First as was mentioned elsewhere there are 10 Dem Senators up in 2018 that are in states where Trump won big majorities. I don't go nuclear, I let the Dems choke on the filibuster. I do require them to stand there and physically read the phone book, and I let them do it for weeks and weeks till it becomes white noise to the middle of the road voter, and starts just looking stupid.
If necessary come April or so then OK maybe we do the insane, but I'd rather let those at risk Senators sweat, let the GOP and their supporters spend the money in those states to canvass and rabble rouse for a couple of months, see if they hold up.
Going nuclear gets you long term problems and you don't break their back, and the GOP will be seen as bending the "rules" even though Reid did it first thanks to the media spin.
Better to let them hang themselves over time b/c if it does work then you've broken their backs politically. Do the hearings, let it play out, let them bluster. see how it goes for a while, a LONG while before doing anything. This is a long term pick, a couple of months isn't as important as clearing the road overall on this stuff.
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