pointed out to the civics-challenged DUers who had no clue why the man was nominated (i.e., it was due to a traditional state privilege called a "Blue Slip", which allows a state's Senators to recommend their own state judicial nominees as part of the Senate's role to "advise" on matters of appointees, even if the Senators are from the opposing party of the President, and even when there is no guarantee of confirmation by those Senators' peers). And no, there was no "change of mind" because the name was submitted knowing it would die on the vine, and would never make it out if committee.



I.e., rather than nominate one of their own, they (the 2 GOP Senators) chose a RW Democrat out of spite to supposedly force Democrats to chose to vote against a Democrat or accept one palatable to them, which in any case, was a silly strategy for them but the deal opened up having a bunch of others to be considered, who were palatable to Democrats.

But one can't let a good DU poutrage go unused.