Being a Democrat looking to be reelected in a red state this year is a miserable job. In fact, it is probably the second worst job in the past 200 years. It is made even more difficult this year thanks to Anthony Kennedy retiring.
The Democrats are running in states that Donald Trump won by huge margins. Voting against Brett Kavanaugh could be a life-altering decision for these Senators. On the other hand, they are facing pressure fro Democrats in safe blue states like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer who are willing to lose a couple of seats to stop Trump. As long as it’s not their seats anyway.
Red-state Senate Democrats face an increasingly difficult balancing act over whether to confirm Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh or stick with the Democrat party’s leftist base.
Several Senate Democrats, many whom are facing difficult 2018 midterm election challengers, did not say whether they would back the Supreme Court nominee. Many pivoted to health care and protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) struck a hard line for his Democratic caucus, arguing that no Senate Democrat should vote for Kavanaugh because he might rule to overturn Obamacare as well as Roe v. Wade. Schumer said in a statement on Monday.
President Trump invited 5 Democratic Senators to his SCOTUS reveal conference. Four are from Red States running for reelection this year and three of those voted for Neil Gorsuch. All five declined the invitation.
“Tonight’s announcement is only a first step. A thorough vetting of Judge Kavanaugh’s body of work will be critical for the Senate to fulfill its shared responsibility—which I take very seriously. I will be diligent in measuring the record and in undertaking an independent review.”
Tonight's announcement is only a first step. A thorough vetting of Judge Kavanaugh’s body of work will be critical for the Senate to fulfill its shared responsibility—which I take very seriously. I will be diligent in measuring the record and in undertaking an independent review.
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) July 10, 2018
My statement on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court: https://t.co/T1vlHMa48Y#mtpol #SCOTUS #SCOTUSNomination pic.twitter.com/bdiXAE82jk
— Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) July 10, 2018
“As the Senator from #WV, I have a constitutional obligation to advise & consent on a nominee to fill Supreme Court vacancies & I take that responsibility seriously. MORE: ”
As the Senator from #WV, I have a constitutional obligation to advise & consent on a nominee to fill Supreme Court vacancies & I take that responsibility seriously. MORE: pic.twitter.com/eG8rULoE33
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) July 10, 2018
“I look forward to meeting with Judge Kavanaugh to discuss his views on several issues such as protecting women’s rights, guaranteeing access to health care for those with pre-existing conditions & protecting the right to vote, just to name a few. I’ll make my decision after that.”