Judge Gorsuch. Winning...
I suppose, but look what it cost Republicans to get a single Justice appointed to the Court:
First they stole a vacancy from the Democrats, going against tradition which goes back as far as I've been alive at least. But they can only pull this once and gain an advantage, because Democrats will follow suit, refusing to consider any Republican candidate in the final year of a term. Over the long term, this will hurt Republicans as often as it hurts Democrats.
Long term, this will not benefit the Republicans, but they have changed the character of the Senate significantly and the judicial confirmation process in particular. They will, of course, be reminded of this when the shoe is on the other foot. They can expect no mercy, and no compromise of any sort.
I don't think Democrats, when in control of the Senate, will allow ANY Republican nominee for the Court to advance UNTIL THE STOLEN SEAT HAS BEEN RECOVERED. If I'm right, then Judicial confirmations (and I suspect most other confirmations too) will become a form of uncompromising open warfare between the parties. Again, this will hurt Republicans at least as often as Democrats.
And finally, in order to get Gorsuch appointed to the Court, Senate Republicans had to do away with the filibuster on SCOTUS nominations -- one of the last remaining tools which allowed the party in the minority to slow down a nomination with which they disagree. This move will also come back to haunt Republicans when Democrats will no longer feel ANY need to consider their concerns when Republicans are in the minority.
That's an enormous amount of political capital expended, and a tremendous amount of institutional destruction to simply put a Justice onto the bench.
I suspect that Pence may get a vacancy in the final year of Trump's first term which he will want to fill before he relinquishes the office in 2020, but the Senate -- in the hands of the Democrats after Trump's humiliating removal, and after Pence's shameful act of pardoning the entire Trump family -- will be in Democratic control. Not only will Pence be denied his victory, but when the next administration appoints three ultra-liberal candidates in a row, Republicans, still in the minority, will be unable to oppose any of them because of the tricks they pulled to steal a SCOTUS seat when McConnell was in charge. They will scream for a return of the filibuster, and attempt to blame Democrats for how cruel and ugly American politics has become. Same as it ever was.
So, yeah, grin now and pat yourself on the back. Just remember the costs will come due down the road, and not only will they be paid, but they will be extracted with the heel of a boot, and without the slightest regard or courtesy or regard for the minority party. Karma's a bitch, and we will be reminding you at the appropriate times.
That's not what I would call winning, anymore than I would call getting into a car crash plastic surgery, despite the fact that stitches would be involved.