It’s politics, but filling the court is a constitutional duty. No one believes the Democrats would do any different if the position is reversed. So what you don’t get the left leaning court you prefer.
THE REGRETTABLE ACB; I could dramatically flip the balance of power on the Court! 2016 REMARKS: "WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUSTICE SCALIA, YOU KNOW, THE STAUNCHEST CONSERVATIVE ON THE COURT, AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HIM BEING REPLACED BY SOMEONE WHO COULD DRAMATICALLY FLIP THE BALANCE OF POWER ON THE COURT. IT'S NOT A LATERAL MOVE."