With the loss of Scalia, McConnell is an idiot.
This is where Cruz and Sessions could be instrumental in propping up the Turtle’s limp backbone.
There could be some merit in this.
Firstly, Obamacare repeal will have to be done under budget reconciliation, which is how it was created, in order to dodge filibuster. So that gets done without nuclear option.
Secondly, as we saw with Roberts, picking a right wing judge and expecting him to support that position once at the USSC is entirely dicey. So there’s really no point nominating one. Maybe instead nominate someone who can get 9-10 dem senators. He’d be someone rather, but not extremely, right of center and could be confirmed. No point in choosing to fight a battle for an extreme right nominee who won’t judge that way once confirmed.