See, by pulling this, the GOP has taken the gloves off. But now they come off both sides. The only way this doesn’t burn them in the future is if they never, ever lose the majority in the Senate, but this very act could trigger that. If it does, there’s no reason the new Democratic Senate can’t just approve whoever Obama nominates after they’re seated and before the inauguration. If the Republicans are going to be THIS extreme, there’s no reason the Democrats should continue to respect traditions like holds or the filibuster. They could set new rules that prevent filibusters on SCOTUS nominations, and confirm any nomination on a simple majority vote with no hearing.

The Republicans have really pulled a pin on a grenade, IMO.