Mr. Zolle,
Justice Allison Eid, if confirmed, would be on a court that hears appeals from six states plus portions of two others. The cases she hears would include appeals from those states' supreme courts.
"Promotion" is in the eye of the beholder, but a lot of beholders would consider a job on a federal court of appeals a promotion.
Mr. Stacy,
Both of the two major political parties borrow tactics from each other and "improve" them. Both parties have escalated their game playing. It's hilarious you say you're not defending either party and then say the Democrats started it.
And, Joe Biden stated his opinion, his "view", that IF any Supreme Court vacancy opened up before the 1992 election, that any nomination by President George Bush, sr not be considered until after the ELECTION of November, 1992. NOT the next inauguration in January 1993.
There is no formal "rule". As will become quite evident if Republicans still control the US Senate in 2020 and a Supreme Court vacancy opens up.