McConnell: Kavanaugh fight will help Republicans in November

It’s also given new definition to the high stakes of November’s election.

The president, speaking to reporters before boarding the Marine One helicopter on the White House south lawn, predicted the attack on Kavanaugh would cost the opposition party in next month’s midterm congressional elections.

Trump was asked what message he would send to young American men today, in light of the number of women coming forward and making sexual assault allegations. Both may be right. The president’s middling job approval rating and independent voters’ disdain for his constant personal attacks have been a drag on GOP candidates, particularly in the more moderate suburban districts that will determine control of the House. It capped a fight that seized the national conversation after allegations emerged that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted women three decades ago.

“I would have voted no if I disbelieved Judge Kavanaugh, but given his denials and the lack of evidence that this happened I just did not think that it was fair to ruin the life of this distinguished judge and his family over allegations that can not be proven”, she said.

“I do think that he’s correct, that there was a widespread response, certainly on the Republican side, that these were not credible allegations”, Coons said. He indicated he didn’t believe Feinstein’s denial about leaking Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford’s letter alleging sexual assault. “A lot of people looked at this as a bridge too far”. “I’ve lived in SC all my life, so I’m accustomed to being embarrassed on a national stage, but if Lindsey is the best we can do, it’s easy to see why our state is always last & lovin’ it”.

Centrist Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski refused to cast a “yes” vote, but called out “present” instead of “no” so fellow Republican Steve Daines of Montana could skip the roll call and walk his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. “A total coward.” The Arizona Republican, who is retiring, voted for Kavanaugh.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has railed against Kavanaugh’s critics, said he was “proud” of his colleagues and predicted a bright future for his party.

Kagan, one of the court’s key bridge-builders, is especially likely to reach out to Kavanaugh.

Indeed, Kavanaugh’s confirmation reflects a high-water mark of the Trump presidency, before the halfway point: Republican control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, along with a firm conservative majority on the judiciary’s top court. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who helped push through Kavanaugh’s nomination.

Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the lone Democrat who voted for Kavanaugh’s nomination, said Saturday before the Senate vote. “It was a great vote, a very historic vote”, Trump said.

He also said Mr Trump had “stooped to new depths” in mocking the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford. “The only way we can get people to do what we think they should do is because people respect us”, Justice Elena Kagan said.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of things happen on November 6 that would not have happened before”, Trump said.

Trump remains the fall campaign’s biggest wild card.

Late Monday, Trump will be able to rub salt into opponents’ wounds when he hosts a formal swearing-in ceremony. “It’s not going to be lost on anyone on the court that everybody is going to be watching the new court to see which issues they engage in”, said Paul Clement, solicitor general under President George W. Bush.

“The question is whether this is the October surprise or the calm before the storm”, Stewart said.