If we go down the advantages and disadvantages of the fallout of RBG's death, the only conclusion is that the GOP must force through a replacement without delay.

If they decide to hold off after the election? The Democrats are going to be even more motivated regardless what happens unless they confirm asap. They aren't going to calm down their fundraising and insanity because the Republicans did the "honorable thing". No swing voter or liberal is going to vote for Trump because McConnell held off. There is nothing to gain here but everything to lose. It is a major gamble in a closely contested election where the Democrats have tipped all scales towards cheating with mail-in voting. Not confirming a new justice weakens the Supreme Court in the event of botched results and lawsuits. The Republicans lose here too, as angry rioters and mobs tear down the country in that three month span before Inauguration Day. Even afterwards, a close Senate will make the nomination just as much of a debacle. I hope trying to get over on Trump was worth a borderline civil war for Romney and Murkowski. That's assuming they aren't Manchurian Candidates but regardless, their legacies will be spit upon by anyone right of center for all time. Anything crazy that happens in those three months of uncertainty will be on their treacherous shoulders, not Trump.

If they vote now? The left and media will still go insane anyway but they'll deep down become a little more demoralized going into November. The extremists will continue to riot and throw tantrums, burning their own communities and driving more voters to our side. Regardless of what happens in November, the GOP will have picked up 3 crucial seats on the SC. The RBG seat is a huge consolation prize. The fight over this seat will distract their attentions and donations from the actual race. Trump will have the "weather gage" to sail around them launching political broadsides at will while they are losing their minds pinned down on the Supreme Court. This is key, as he needs to spend these remaining months on the offensive, trying to reach new voters or at least getting fewer of theirs to show up. Dropping an exective order on marijuana legalization in the middle of October, for instance, will distract some of those voters from McConnell onto whatever he is doing. Trump is a master of distractions.

If the left does take power, the ball is in their court to ramp their insanity and threats---adding Justices, new states, etc. These things just further undermine their credibility and makes them look like petty, vindictive, tyrants. Add more voters to our rolls, especially as they go further left. Not like they weren't going to do it anyway. McConnell has already made these desperate players reveal some of their cards, things that not even FDR could get away with.

In short, there is everything to lose by not filling the seat and much to gain by doing so. Playing a game of honor with those who impeach and investigate their opponents the second they have power is a losing proposition. The Democrats must be defeated on all fronts and McConnell must suck out their political souls Shang Tsung-style in the Senate.