Since the (not overly surprising, yet still somewhat shocking) passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg this past Friday evening, there has been an inordinate amount of speculation as to whether Republicans in the Senate will actually be able to get a Trump nominee across the finish line before the election. Despite the 53-47 majority held by the Republicans in the Senate, there is always the speculation that a handful of “moderate” Republicans will break ranks.

As we’ve covered here at RedState, both Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have issued statements indicating they are not in favor of proceeding with a vote prior to the election. Questions have been raised regarding Mitt Romney (R-UT), too, of course, given his rocky relationship with President Trump.

Another question mark has been Cory Gardner of Colorado. Like Collins, Gardner is in a tight race to hold onto his seat this November and likely feeling pressure from both/all sides on the issue. He has now issued a statement on the matter:

Read my full statement on the Supreme Court vacancy ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/n2YNP8O0Bz

— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) September 21, 2020

In other words, Gardner is going to follow the procedure provided for by the Constitution and agree to a vote on Trump’s nominee (whom Trump has indicated he will name by the end of the week.) In fact, Gardner has gone even further and indicated he will vote to confirm a nominee (provided she is committed to protecting the Constitution, not legislating from the bench, and will uphold the law.)

They’re lining up. Here’s my hunch/prediction: McConnell already has the votes and knows it. (So do Schumer and the Dems.) So, the moderates still get to do their moderate thing and the Dems still get to howl about the unfairness. Everyone will get caught up in the drama of it all. And Trump will have a third Justice in his first term.