I think the simple distinction is that McConnel upset decades of detente and will reap enormous rewards and pay no price. Compare this to Joe Biden helping confirm Clarence Thomas because he believed it was the Senate's duty to give nominees a fair hearing and that the favor would be returned. That is over now and we're in a game of beggar thy neighbor. The salt in the wound is that Trump is only president due to antiquated rules that are set in law despite being a truly pointless tradition.