LEGAL DILEMMA

If Republicans successfully block the confirmation of an Associate Justice to replace Scalia, they will, in effect inoculate the Democrats against any criticism for any actions they may take, with respects to the vacancy, in 2017, under any new Administration.  If a Republican President nominates anyone not acceptable to Democrats, all the Republic arguments, that a sitting President's nominee is entitled to an up and down vote, will be moot. Indeed, if Republicans are successful in blocking an up or down vote in the confirmation  of Obama's nominee, they had better have a filibuster proof majority, in the Senate, for any Republican nomination.