In addition to answering the needs of the base but with full knowledge that Gorsuch will go through in any case.

Rules get changed and now you only need a majority (51).

Do you believe that the party leadership is banking on the fact that they will take control of either the Senate or House in 2018 and block any further appointments?

It's a calculated risk because if they don't gain either one then the next nominee can be even more to the right than this one.