Can someone explain to me what the point of filibustering Gorsuch is? It just seems like a losing battle that will end up making the democrats look bad. I'd prefer to focus on something else, like Russia. Or whatever stupid thing trump does next thT we actually have some hope of defeating.
Well, there's a chance that the filibuster works... I know, small chance, but it's there. It's also the principle of the thing, due to R's treatment of Merrick Garland.
The main point, though, is that it's what their base wants them to do. Frankly, if the filibuster is going to be killed, it's going to be killed either now or on the next nominee. There's this fear that we need to preserve the filibuster so Democrats can prevent a truly crazy nominee from being nominated next time.*
But Republicans will just kill the filibuster
then.
According to
this article, Democrats offered to allow a vote on Gorsuch if R's promised to keep the filibuster for the next nominee. That proposal was rejected.
So. If Democrats want to keep their voters happy and show that they can put up a fight, they need to fight. On Gorsuch. On Russia. On the ACA. On Donner. On Blitzen. They need to fight, even if they lose. Because ultimately, they can't do jack shit on anything unless they start winning some elections. Nobody's going to be excited about voting for, volunteering for, and donating to, a party that's rolling over and taking it.
Republicans prevented Merrick Garland from even having a hearing for a full year, let alone a vote. The moment the Republicans had control of the nomination, they started grandstanding about Democratic obstructionism and how the American people won't stand for it. Nobody on their side cares that it's hypocrisy. Democrats aren't going to look bad, except among people who already hate Democrats.
The Supreme Court is extremely important and has uniquely long-term implications, but only Republicans in general seem to realize it when it comes time to vote. Lots of Republicans voted for a man they personally disliked simply because of who he would put on the court. I don't know of any Democrats who overcame their bitterness over Bernie or dislike of HRC simply because the SC was vital. They may have voted for HRC for other reasons, but the court was never a rallying cry. More attention paid to this on the blue side is needed.
Russia is important. The next issue will be important. Dems need to fight on all those important things. It's a good thing our news cycles are 24/7 so we can cover everything. ;)
*I don't like this argument because it dismisses the extremism of Gorsuch himself, but everyone seems to think there will be someone up next who's as extreme but less palatable to the masses.