This actually seems like poor strategy. Part of the reason McConnell's decision to block the last SCOTUS nominee was so devious was that in brought out republicans to vote who may have stayed home otherwise. "Oh jeez if we don't win guys we'll lose this seat wink wink." I feel like if they did the same thing here, it might swing several key senate seats.
Then again, the risk is that it implodes and they still don't do well in the elections. But I think even worse case scenario, Republicans have 51 senate seats and a bunch of moderate democrats that have shown willingness to work with Trump in the past. I don't see the benefit to rush to confirm here.
If that group could get someone like Neil Gorsuch in then I imagine they don't need the senate elections. Republican Senators are still likely to remain the same or even gain and I feel they don't want to risk the advantage. ---