What would prevent the republicans from blocking a democrat's nominees?
Well actually the precedant hasn't been set yet towards SCOTUS nominees.
Every SCOTUS nominee for the last 217 years has had a vote in the full Senate. The minority party(on each side) haven't tried that yet, but why don't you help the majority(Currently Pubbies) so that doesn't have to happen, instead of focusing on minutae that only basically concerns you.
Actually, I was only focusing on your prediction of mario cooomo as chief justice. A little bit over the top, JMO.
But, it appears that we DO agree that a majority gop senate could in fact prevent the appointment of liberal judges and justices.