Sen. Jeff Flake: Hillary's going to be President, let's confirm Garland

[Figueira]

If they fail to do so then they can kiss their congressional control goodbye in the midterms.

It doesn't work like that, sorry.

I don't think the people will put up with two years of a partially functioning court--the GOP tends to do better in midterms because of turnout and I think this could be used to motivate Democrats to show up.

Nah. The GOP won't be punished for their behavior because Republicans are the only ones who actually bother to vote in midterms, and 2018 will be as big a landslide for Republicans as the last two midterms. Of course, two years after that, when the electorate isn't solely composed of white Republicans, Clinton (or a different Democrat if she decides not to seek reelection) will win reelection by a decent margin.

One way to make any midterm loss worse is by declaring it over before it happens.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I really do hope that the day after the election, Obama withdraws Garland's name. Garland would make a fine justice, but Obama shouldn't let the GOP stonewall for eight months, then confirm Garland just to prevent a potentially better nominee.

[Green Line]

I hope they vote to confirm him immediately after the election.

[Alcon]

The idea that the midterm electorate is "only white Republicans" is silly, even as hyperbole.  The Midterm electorate is often more than half the size of the Presidential electorate.  There are plenty of Democrats who vote in mid-terms and plenty of Republicans who don't.  It's worth a few points at most.

[RFayette 🇻🇦]

The idea that the midterm electorate is "only white Republicans" is silly, even as hyperbole.  The Midterm electorate is often more than half the size of the Presidential electorate.  There are plenty of Democrats who vote in mid-terms and plenty of Republicans who don't.  It's worth a few points at most.

This.  What shocks me is the number of posters here who think they have some always-functioning crystal ball that never errs.  Just look at the 2016 board in late 2014, the 2012 board in late 2010, etc.

[Ebowed]

Let Hillary do it. If she wants to renominate Garland, we'll confirm him in February. If she wants Sirvansian, Klobuchar, or some other reasonable liberal, that's her choice. Obviously a blank check like Goodwin Liu should be denied. But a moderate liberal for a Den President is exactly what "let the next president choose" means, which is the GOP's OFFICIAL POSITION on the issue.

When the GOP is utterly repudiated next month, why would it matter what their 'official position' is?

Here's an even more relevant position; that of the Constitution.  There's nothing in there about leaving a vacancy unfilled for a year because of the timing.  This unprecedented obstruction needs to end as soon as possible.

Clinton will have plenty of opportunities to fill further vacancies in the next eight years as they come.

[Wade McDaniel]

I don't see the point of them stalling the Supreme Court nominee if they're not going to do everything they can to get Trump elected.