The Republicans ought to be careful what they wish for. Imagine this scenario:
The Republican-controlled Senate succeeds in blocking any Supreme Court nominee by President Obama for the remainder of his term in office. The vacancy left by Justice Scalia’s death remains unfilled throughout that time. Republicans are gleeful.
Then, one of the two Democratic candidates for president wins the election in November. And in the first month in office, the new Democratic president announces his/her nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. And it is . . . . . . . (you guessed it) Barack Obama.
Seem unlikely? I believe President Obama has commented that a Supreme Court appointment is one post-presidency job that he would consider. And even if the Republicans hold onto control of the Senate, how could they not confirm Obama? His credentials are unassailable: former state senator, former U.S. senator, former two-term president, president of the Harvard Law Review.
Of course, if the Republicans wouldn’t confirm President Obama for the Court, the new president could always nominate . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Clinton.