Philly.com:

In a shift, Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey said Wednesday he will meet with Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, but still insisted that the high court vacancy should not be filled until after November’s election.

“President Obama’s team has asked if I would meet with Judge Merrick Garland, and I have agreed to do so out of courtesy and respect for both the president and the judge,” Toomey, a Republican, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “The vacancy left by Justice (Antonin) Scalia’s passing will not be filled until after the American people weigh in and select a new president, and I believe that is the best approach for deciding whether to alter the balance of the Supreme Court. I plan on making that clear to Judge Garland when I meet with him.”

Toomey had previously suggested that a meeting would not be helpful because his concern is with the court’s make up, not the individual nominated.

His announcement comes amid a week of protests and rallies that Democrats and liberal groups have staged or planned outside his Pennsylvania offices and public events, with demonstrators urging Toomey to “do your job.”

This is exactly the strategy I’ve recommended to maximize the chances of a Garland hearing and possible vote.