Here’s a perfect example of the totally insane, futile and stupid obstructionism that Senate Republicans have embraced as their legislative signature.

Last September, more than five months ago, President Obama nominated Barbara Milano Keenan to serve on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her nomination cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee at the end of October by a unanimous vote. Then happened what happens: Senate Republicans blocked her nomination from coming up for a vote.

Harry Reid finally filed for cloture. The cloture vote yesterday was unanimous: 99 to 0. After filibustering her nomination for four months — by refusing unanimous consent — not one single Republican actually supported the filibuster. Right after the cloture vote, her nomination was approved, once again by a 99 to 0 margin.

So why did Republicans block her nomination? Stupid question, of course, since it assumes Republicans need a reason for any of the nonsense they pull. In fact, they are so far beyond reason that you can snatch any random phrase out of the air, and no reason anyone can adduce will make any better sense. So, for anyone who’s looking for a reason why Republicans obstructed Keenan’s nomination, here’s my candidate: swimming pool bananas. (And, for anyone who’s so inclined, I challenge you to produce a better reason.)