In my estimation, Clinton's primary opportunity to swing the Court leftward is through the current vacancy. I assume Kennedy will be the prime candidate for retirement over the next 4-8 years, but he has his own liberal streak. So, why don't Republicans confirm Garland before Clinton has the opportunity to nominate a justice?

 

My reading of Garland is that he's someone who studiously follows precedent and favors limited, narrow rulings over sweeping changes. Even if he isn't ideologically a conservative he seems like someone unlikely to rock the boat or break with precedent, thus making him more of a moderate/Kennedy-esque justice than who Clinton or Democrats might prefer (I'm surprised there hasn't been more criticism of Obama's decision from the left). It just seems like a tremendous risk for Republicans, especially with Trump on the top of the ticket.

 

Because they've become adept at cutting off their nose to spite their face.

So the ATF is getting information that the NSA already has, and were concerned about it?

In my estimation, Clinton's primary opportunity to swing the Court leftward is through the current vacancy. I assume Kennedy will be the prime candidate for retirement over the next 4-8 years, but he has his own liberal streak. So, why don't Republicans confirm Garland before Clinton has the opportunity to nominate a justice?

 

My reading of Garland is that he's someone who studiously follows precedent and favors limited, narrow rulings over sweeping changes. Even if he isn't ideologically a conservative he seems like someone unlikely to rock the boat or break with precedent, thus making him more of a moderate/Kennedy-esque justice than who Clinton or Democrats might prefer (I'm surprised there hasn't been more criticism of Obama's decision from the left). It just seems like a tremendous risk for Republicans, especially with Trump on the top of the ticket.

 

There is logic to what you propose.

 

In answer to the bolded: the best laid plans of mice and men...

 

The Republicans saw that HRC was the easiest opponent to defeat in decades but Trump has laid a "raisin" or two.