The longest confirmation in history was apparently Brandeis at 125 days. Assuming Obama takes about a month to get a nomination together that leaves just over 300+ days left in this administration.  That said, would not surprise me to see the Senate serially find reasons to reject say 3-4 candidates or screw precedent and just take forever to run out the clock on purpose.<p>They will likely also have pro forma sessions to deny a recess appointment as well [1].<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;NLRB_v._Noel_Canning" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;NLRB_v._Noel_Canning</a><p>One option Obama would have that might fill the seat before his term is up is to go back to providing a real list of a number of candidates instead of the &quot;list of one&quot;. The chance of this happening is near zero of course; I guess he&#x27;ll nominate someone a bit closer to the center and let them be stonewalled, something which may help the democrats in the election.<p>I imagine a lot of good candidates, knowing the nomination is destined for limbo, might opt out of the media circus and decline it.<p>Of course if the Dems win the election the incentive to stall fades considerably.