Question for McConnell: Why Gorsuch? Why not just nominate somebody else?

[Amishman]

6. Inertia and fear of upsetting their base.

They've spent over a month talking the guy up and he managed not to Bork himself in the hearings. Political capital was spent and they would lose face if they backed down.

The deplorables would also crucify them if Gorsuch was withdrawn and the new pick was at all more moderate. Gorsuch might be the most moderate appointment that Trump's loud hardcore base would accept.

The gap between the progressive activists and conservative zealots has never been wider.