If Obama does not get a Supreme Court justice in by the end of his term, will he be the first President essentially blocked by congress from doing so? If not, which president was blocked longer and why?

by jackanapes8
SilverRoyce
Syrion_Wraith

As a non-american : Can anybody provide background information on this question?

What is the Supreme Court, and what is their justice? What would a president need this justice for, and why does (assumed from op) every president get it?