re: #54 Big Beautiful Door

The Republicans basically have no choice except to place a hold on Garland’s nomination at least until after the election. They have told their Base that allowing Obama to replace Scalia signals the end of freedom and the start of totalitarian oppression during which every gun will be seized and every church shuttered. If Hillary wins in November and the Democrats gain control of the Senate, they might pragmatically confirm Garland during the lame duck session to deny Hillary the opportunity to appoint a progressive Justice.

That’s where the cynicism is coming in, as all those Republicans up for reelection are “breaking ranks,” but none are actually demanding a vote, just voicing a willingness to meet with Garland. It’s a calculated ploy to save their asses, feigning cooperation and bipartisanship when they have no intention of actually forcing a vote, which will disappear into the aether if Trump wins and/or the GOP retains the Senate majority come November. If they lose both, then you’ll see a sudden rush to get a vote on Garland before the President can yank back the nomination.