It's clear that the Senate will hold a vote for Trump's nominee, so what would senate republicans like Susan M. Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska accomplish by saying that they would not vote to confirm a nominee? Are they expecting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to backtrack on what he said yesterday?
Why don't they just say that they'll vote against the nomination? Is not wanting to vote a third alternative to the "Yes" on "No" vote?