Trump has already lined up Senate votes for his Supreme Court pick, using Mitch McConnell’s no-doubt persuasive power over the caucus (“or else”) to do it. But the polls show Democrats likely to take over the Senate in January. Why not take it over now instead?
Recall that for years, New York State had a Senate with a nominal Democratic majority but run by the Republicans. Several senators formed the “independent democratic caucus” -- they ran with D on their ballot line but voted with the Rs to organize the Senate. In exchange for their turncoat votes, they got leadership positions with extra power and pay. Of course most were eventually primaried out, but it was fun for them while it lasted.
So here's the idea: The Democrats offer several non-Trumpy Republican senators the right to join the new majority as the “independent Republican caucus". They will get to vote their conscience on most bills, but have to vote for the Democratic leadership. And they have to do this before the SCOTUS vote. They vote to block the Trump court appointment, and they get rewarded with better treatment than other Republicans when the Senate changes hands. Yes, a legal bribe. Of course it’s not about money (most are rich), but it’s about power.
Murkowski, Collins, Sullivan, and Romney are all obvious candidates. We just need four now. Like Collins, Gardner might do it he thinks if it improves his chances of winning. And some might be ready to retire in two or four years anyway and would prefer a better role. It also gives the non-Trump Republicans a nucleus for a new or reformed party in the future.
It’s a dirty trick, but they did it to us, and it helps further fracture the Republican Party. Desperate times call for desperate measures.