I'm hearing whispers that McCain might not be able to get to Idiot's SCOTUS vote.

[MoonRiver]

If this happens it increases, somewhat, our chances to nix that nominee.

[hlthe2b]

1. I don't think it is mere whispers... I think most are factoring him out of the vote...

I wish McCain well, however.

[JI7]

2. I think they already said McCain will not be returning to the senate

[lapfog_1]

3. It's been factored

we need to hold all the Democrats and flip one republican.

If McCain were to vote... we would have to flip two as flipping one yields 50-50 and then Pence gets to cast the deciding vote.

[Stargleamer]

4. If they choose Barrett, even keeping all the Democrats on board would be extremely hard

also Collins would likely vote for Barrett too, given her earlier vote.

[Girard442]

5. The stakes are to high for a R to flip.

The Trumpites will do anything to get that winning vote.

Yes, anything.

[Raine]

6. Just a rumor but I heard Cindy McCain

speculated as a replacement for him. I only heard it mentioned once as a possibility so probably not likely, still I guess anything is possible now days.

[still_one]

7. We had a chance to do something about this in 2016, and in spite of being told time and time again

the SC was at stake, there were just enough self-identified progressives who refused to vote for the Democratic nominee by either voting third party or not voting.

Because of that folly, we lost TWO SC nominees.

For those who are grasping for some hail-Mary, the odds are very much against it.

Every Democrat running for Senate in those critical swing states lost to the incumbent, establishment, republican.

Pathetic. Now most likely it is too little to late

[Boomerproud]

8. I hear you.

Every election is crucial now. We better start acting like it. I'm 62 with no children but the folks with a future at stake better educate themselves.

[still_one]

11. I know you realize this, but iit is for everyone, you, me, family, friends, future generations.

Healthcare, Civil Rights, Social Security, Medicare, etc

Howard Dean's 50 state strategy recognized that West Virgina is not California

[moose65]

9. We had a chance before that too

I really wish that Democrats had a long-term strategy instead of reinventing the wheel every two years. 2014 was an absolutely horrible year as far as the Senate was concerned. Democrats lost 9 seats that year. Just awful! If we had only held 3 or 4 of those we would be in a totally different position now, and Merrick Garland would be on the Supreme Court. Every election matters!

[still_one]

12. You are right, and lesson should have been learned in 2000. Howard Dean's 50-state strategy was

that one size does not fit all

2016 was the perfect storm though, and every Democrat running for Senate in those critical swing to the establishment, incumbent, republican, because 47% decided they couldn't be bothered to vote setup this disaster


The only realistic chance we have now is that enough people get out and vote Democratic in 2018

[FBaggins]

10. Not much difference

He could retire at any time and let his replacement vote.