The “Red State” Democratic Senators, The Midterm Elections, And Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh

Ten “Red State” Democratic Senators face a moment of great challenge in November 2018.

Running for reelection in states that went for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016, they face the danger of defeat in their Senate races if they do not support the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, with a final vote expected in October.

Voting for Kavanaugh will insure the likelihood of a conservative majority on the Court for the next 20-30 years, which will affect many areas of domestic and foreign policy, and the powers of the Presidency.

But voting against Kavanaugh may retire many of them, and insure a Republican gain of seats in the US Senate, from 51 to quite a few more, allowing the Republicans to dominate into the future.

So what should these Senators do? Should they be profiles in courage and risk their seats to delay or prevent a conservative Supreme Court majority? Or should they vote for Kavanaugh and give themselves another six years to fight against Trump, without the burden of facing the voters until 2024?

It seems likely that at least the three Senators who voted for Neil Gorsuch last year—Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, and Joe Donnelly of Indiana—will end up voting to confirm Kavanaugh if the vote cannot be delayed until after the November mid term elections.

The other seven are seen as unlikely to vote for Kavanaugh—Bill Nelson of Florida, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana, Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, with all seven now, except possibly Nelson, considered likely for a successful reelection to their Senate seats despite a negative vote on Kavanaugh.

8 comments on “The “Red State” Democratic Senators, The Midterm Elections, And Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh

  1. D August 1, 2018 12:08 pm

    Ronald writes, “So what should these Senators do?”

    Voter against.

    Chuck Schumer, who is supposed to be their leader, should be letting them know he expects their votes to line up with the rest of the Democrats.

    This does not require much thought. The current minority Democratic Party is supposed to be the opposition party to the majority Republican Party. Don’t tell me they’re weak when the establishment Democratic Party have been pushing Russiagate and winning most of the primaries against progressive challengers—but, oh, three of their Senate Democratic incumbents fear their general elections for a midterm election wave, for their party, when they know election patterns.

    I suggest catching wise to the con games they are pulling. If any of them vote for this U.S. Supreme Court nominee, they aren’t doing so out of fear—they are supportive.

  2. Ronald August 1, 2018 12:11 pm

    You have a good point there, D.

    Since those three Democratic Senators backed Gorsuch, I fear they will back Kavanaugh!

  3. Princess Leia August 1, 2018 12:55 pm

    The Russians attacking our elections is a serious threat, D.

  4. Rustbelt Democrat August 1, 2018 4:44 pm

    It’s a rock and a hard place situation. There’s no easy answer regarding these Senators.

    Also, seconded, Leia, regarding the Russians. In addition to attacking our elections, they have been trying to hack into our country’s power grid. Trumpty Dumbty is obviously Putin’s puppet, so he’s not going to protect our country.

  5. Rational Lefty August 1, 2018 7:35 pm

    Some charts concerning the mid-terms.

    Overall, what we learn is that women are stepping up to the plate in this election like never before, Democratic voter turnout is surpassing what we saw in 2014, healthcare has surpassed the economy as the most important issue for Democrats as well as Independents, and Latinos (especially women) are overwhelmingly angry at the current administration.

    https://washingtonmonthly.com/2018/08/01/the-courage-it-takes-to-face-our-profound-moral-crisis/#.W2H1ehd5D4M.facebook

  6. Rustbelt Democrat August 1, 2018 10:54 pm

    Trumpty Dumbty’s obviously terrified about something!

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