Does not the Senate go into recess tomorrow after the vote, leaving open the recess appointment route??
BTW, IMO, Gorsuch is not so much a right wing guy as he is a firm constructionist. Constitutional law is the law as written. I would not look for him to be overturning any established precedent. Fortunately, he will make the libs go the full amendment route in the future for any of their inane ideas. Lastly, his appointment does nothing to change what was virtually a 4-4 and a waffle vote before. The next appointment if it is one of the lefty 4, is the battle that needs be won. McConnell better use the nuclear and not go for the recess appointment route because the right will never win the filibuster vote on what will be an even more contentious party line vote for the next one.
The recess appointment route is not a viable option here. Unless he/she is 70+ years old, no judge worth his salt is going to give up a career elsewhere to take a temporary assignment on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The appeal of a recess appointment is that Trump is just the kind of president who might consider an outlandish recess appointment just to make a point. I've suggested that a retired pro wrestler or an unemployed steel worker would be great candidates for a recess appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. If the Senate wants to make a joke of the Supreme Court, Trump may as well put someone there who could use the money.