Of course the GOP isn't treating him respectfully. I believe the point was that there's no reason for Obama to screw over Garland like that.
Exactly.
While I'm ambivalent on the confirmation (they really should at least put him through the wringer in confirmations and make their case why they think he doesn't deserve to be on the court), they're playing typical partisan games. They don't want their advantage on the court to go away, simple as that.
For Obama to essentially Charlie-Brown a respected jurist and yank away the nomination just as it's about to happen because he sees a better deal would be senseless and cruel. Unless Garland was in on it the whole time, but I seriously doubt that,
No, senseless and cruel is taking away people's healthcare for no reason. Garland will live (although many Republicans have claimed the best thing about him is that he might die ten years from now). If it hurts his feelings to have his nomination withdrawn before the lameduck so a more liberal justice can be nominated, that's life.
