Republicans are in an unenviable position. They’ve started with a problematic conclusion – President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee must be defeated at all costs, regardless of any other consideration – and now face the challenge of working backwards to come up with a coherent rationale to defend this position. And given the brazenly partisan tantrum GOP lawmakers and candidates are throwing, that challenge is quite daunting. Their first argument – high court vacancies in presidential election years are routinely held until after Election Day – was quickly discredited. Which has pushed some Republicans to get more creative. ThinkProgress noted yesterday that Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), hot on the heels of his failed presidential bid, broke new rhetorical ground on a conservative radio show in Kentucky. Read more http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/important-debate-ridiculous-start?cid=sm_fb_maddow
