Are those nominees bad? Are they worse than the people Trump would appoint as Acting? If the Dems withheld their votes, would it interfere with Trump’s designs?

To me, those questions are irrelevant. Is there any reason to approve his nominees and act like everything is business as usual? If withholding the votes is meaningless, then why not do it anyway? What message are they sending by voting in favor of his nominees?

By withholding votes for Jeannie Pirro but approving routine appointments, they’re sending the message that they’re not crazy partisans and that they want the government to function for the American people.

Which, for me, I’m fine with crazy partisanship by the Dems. But I have nothing in common with the average voter.

If refusing to rubber stamp Trump's nominees during ascendant fascism is considered "crazy partisanship," then we've already lost.