It doesn't matter what either side says. The senate decides if the person is confirmed or not. In 2016, Obama chose a left winger when republicans controlled the senate. Perhaps if he had tried to compromise and nominate somebody more acceptable to the senate his pick would have got through, but he wasn't known for trying to make deals so that didn't happen. Trump is president, and republicans control the senate, so he's got a pretty good chance of his pick getting through.
It doesn't matter what either side says. The senate decides if the person is confirmed or not. In 2016, Obama chose a left winger when republicans controlled the senate. Perhaps if he had tried to compromise and nominate somebody more acceptable to the senate his pick would have got through, but he wasn't known for trying to make deals so that didn't happen. Trump is president, and republicans control the senate, so he's got a pretty good chance of his pick getting through.
Scratch that 'pretty good' he's literally required to get it done, otherwise we'd have 8 members and a massive legal issue regarding the election.
He HAS to put one in, if he waits for lame duck it'll be a nightmare. If he doesn't this election won't be seem as legitimate.