“The nominee himself, Judge Neil Gorsuch of the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seemed almost an afterthought at times, sitting alone at the witness table, occasionally nodding or taking notes, as the 20 members of the Judiciary Committee took turns delivering lengthy and partisan opening statements.” That was how the AP described the opening scenes of the Neil Gorsuch Supreme Court nomination hearing; an event that is as much about Merrick Garland as it is about Gorsuch.