DEMS/ELECTION/NOMINATIONS/SENATE/SUPREME COURT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court unleashed two political fights Tuesday [7-10-18]: one over his confirmation in a narrowly divided Senate, the other a broader battle to energize voters of both parties ahead of November’s midterm elections. In the Senate, where Judge Kavanaugh was meeting with lawmakers Tuesday, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) faces the challenge of maintaining his party’s unity on health care, abortion and other issues over which Republican senators have splintered in recent months. Mr. McConnell can’t afford any GOP defections if all Democrats oppose Judge Kavanaugh, though a handful of Democratic votes are in play that could give him a majority. Republicans hold a 51-49 margin in the Senate and, with Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) fighting brain cancer in Arizona, they are currently operating with only 50 Republicans in Washington. The nominee needs a simple majority to get confirmed, with Vice President Mike Pence able to break a tie. Senate Democratic leaders positioned the confirmation fight as a battle on health care and abortion rights, given that Judge Kavanaugh would replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who at times has sided with liberals on the high court.”
-Kristina Peterson, Siobhan Hughes and Natalie Andrews, “Brett Kavanaugh Nomination Kicks Off Fights in Divided Senate,” The Wall Street Journal, July 10, 20181 2:41 pm