BRETT KAVANAUGH/DEMS/ELECTION/GOP/SENATE/TRUMP PEOPLE: “The bitter fight over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh spilled over into a key U.S. Senate race in Indiana on Monday [10-8-18], as the Republican challenger, Mike Braun squared off against Joe Donnelly, the Democratic incumbent. Braun, a businessman, hammered Donnelly over his opposition to President Donald Trump’s latest nomination to the top court, seeking momentum in a race that polls show to be tight a month before Nov. 6 elections that will determine control of Congress. Democrats need to gain a net total of two seats to win control of the Senate, which will require defending seats in several states that voted for Trump in 2016, including Indiana. Control of the Senate would allow them to block moves by Trump, including Supreme Court nominees. Donnelly, who is seeking a second Senate term, has been a top target of Republicans in a state Trump won by almost 20 percentage points two years ago.”
–James Oliphant, “Kavanaugh fight at center of Indiana Senate debate,” Reuters, October 8, 2018 9:06 am