Vulnerable Republicans were quick to fall in line with Mitch McConnell, and local and national media were just as fast to call out their blatantly political obstructionism. Take a look at the rough headlines, brutal editorials and bruising analysis they’ve earned over the last three days. No wonder Republicans who made an unprecedented vow to block any nominee are now starting to crack under the pressure of a nightmare election year PR problem.
Des Moines Register: Grassley’s judicial nominee view differs from ’08
Des Moines Register Editorial: Grassley’s Supreme Court stance is all about politics
Concord Monitor Editorial: In high court fight, Ayotte is just wrong
Nashua Telegraph Editorial: Rules are clear on court appointment
CBS Philadelphia: Pennsylvania’s US Senate Race Heats Up After Toomey Announces He’s Standing With His Party
Scranton Times Tribune Editorial: Nominate and Confirm
PennLive Editorial: Republicans might not like it, but Obama has the obligation to name Justice Scalia’s replacement
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial: After Scalia: Fill the vacancy with a scholarly centrist
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial: Antonin Scalia and the limits of ideology
Crain’s Chicago Business: Kirk’s in a no-win position over Scalia successor
WLS AM: Senator Kirk on hot seat with Scalia successor issue
Fox32: Sen. Mark Kirk feeling heat from both Democrats, Republicans
Reno Gazette-Journal: Supreme Court vacancy now part of Nevada Senate Race
Las Vegas Review-Journal Opinion: Senators must live up to their oath, or quit
Phoenix New Times: John McCain Says Next President Should Appoint Supreme Court Justice; Twitter Tells Him to Go Read Constitution
Arizona Republic Opinion: McCain flipflops on Supreme Court nomination
Arizona Republic Editorial: Our View: Just name Scalia’s replacement, already
Huffington Post: John McCain Sure Has Changed His Mind About Supreme Court Nominees
Toledo Blade Editorial: After Justice Scalia
Cleveland.com: Scalia succession plan becomes key issue in Rob Portman and Ted Strickland’s Senate showdown
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial: President Barack Obama, Senate should do their duty
Capital Times Editorial: Ron Johnson and GOP candidates assault the Constitution
Germantown Now: Commentary: Why Won’t Ron Johnson Do His Job?
Bradenton Herald: Florida’s Republican US Senate candidates join calls to scuttle Obama’s Supreme Court nominee
Sun Sentinel Editorial: Justice Antonin Scalia’s death should awaken, energize voters
Roll Call: Supreme Court Opening A Dilemma for Swing-State Republicans
Washington Post Daily 202: Why blocking Obama’s pick to replace Scalia could cost Republicans their Senate majority
Huffington Post: Vulnerable Senate Republicans Say No Scalia Replacement Under Obama
TIME: Antonin Scalia’s Open Supreme Court Seat Could Set Record For Vacancy
Politico: Portman, vulnerable Republican senators line up behind McConnell on SCOTUS
Wall Street Journal: Risks for Senators in Backing McConnell’s Call to Delay Supreme Court Appointment
ABC News: Looming Battle Over Scalia Successor Becomes Democrats’ Rallying Cry for Senate Control
Reuters: Supreme Court fight gives Democrats fuel to regain US Senate control