Sen. Jeff Flake: Hillary's going to be President, let's confirm Garland

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

If they fail to do so then they can kiss their congressional control goodbye in the midterms.

It doesn't work like that, sorry.

I don't think the people will put up with two years of a partially functioning court--the GOP tends to do better in midterms because of turnout and I think this could be used to motivate Democrats to show up.

Nah. The GOP won't be punished for their behavior because Republicans are the only ones who actually bother to vote in midterms, and 2018 will be as big a landslide for Republicans as the last two midterms. Of course, two years after that, when the electorate isn't solely composed of white Republicans, Clinton (or a different Democrat if she decides not to seek reelection) will win reelection by a decent margin.

How did the democrats sweep Congress in 2006?

Bush had 30% approvals. Only way a 2006-type thing could happen in 2018 is 1) an unpopular Trump presidency, or 2) a highly popular (I'd say ~60% approvals) Clinton presidency.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Let Hillary do it. If she wants to renominate Garland, we'll confirm him in February. If she wants Sirvansian, Klobuchar, or some other reasonable liberal, that's her choice. Obviously a blank check like Goodwin Liu should be denied. But a moderate liberal for a Den President is exactly what "let the next president choose" means, which is the GOP's OFFICIAL POSITION on the issue.