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| Supreme court nominee: Trump to announce Kennedy replacement – live | Supreme court nominee: Trump to announce Kennedy replacement – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs sends this from Washington: | |
| Utah Senator Orrin Hatch spoke to Trump about the nomination about an hour and a half ago, according to a top aide. Hatch has “advocated consistently” for Amy Coney Barrett over the past week but “left that last conversation feeling fairly confident it wouldn’t be Barrett.” However, “until the President makes the announcement official, anything could happen.” | |
| McConnell reportedly told Trump that Barrett would face the hardest path to confirmation and worried that she could alienate two pro-abortion Republicans in the senate. | |
| Don Jr is out with this PSA ahead of his father’s big announcement | Don Jr is out with this PSA ahead of his father’s big announcement |
| *Flash Flood Warning Tonight at 9PM EST*This is not a joke. Liberal tears will be flowing like Niagara Falls when #POTUS announces his second #SCOTUS pick. Please take all necessary precautions & bring an inner tube or boogie board to ride this blue wave. 😂🇺🇸😂🇺🇸😂#maga | *Flash Flood Warning Tonight at 9PM EST*This is not a joke. Liberal tears will be flowing like Niagara Falls when #POTUS announces his second #SCOTUS pick. Please take all necessary precautions & bring an inner tube or boogie board to ride this blue wave. 😂🇺🇸😂🇺🇸😂#maga |
| Tonight Donald Trump will make his second nomination to the Supreme Court. His first, Neil Gorsuch, was narrowly approved after Senate Republicans forced through a rule change that eliminated the 60-vote supermajority required to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. | Tonight Donald Trump will make his second nomination to the Supreme Court. His first, Neil Gorsuch, was narrowly approved after Senate Republicans forced through a rule change that eliminated the 60-vote supermajority required to confirm a Supreme Court nominee. |
| But Trump is bullish on the odds he’ll have more chances to remake the court. | But Trump is bullish on the odds he’ll have more chances to remake the court. |
| Last year, Axios reported that Trump believes he will appoint as many as four supreme court justices by the end of his first term in office. | Last year, Axios reported that Trump believes he will appoint as many as four supreme court justices by the end of his first term in office. |
| According to Axios, citing an anonymous source close to Trump, his predicted Kennedy’s retirement. Then, Trump reportedly reasoned, health issues would take a toll on two other sitting justices. The exchange reportedly went like this: | According to Axios, citing an anonymous source close to Trump, his predicted Kennedy’s retirement. Then, Trump reportedly reasoned, health issues would take a toll on two other sitting justices. The exchange reportedly went like this: |
| “Ok,” one source told Trump, “so that’s two. Who are the others?” | “Ok,” one source told Trump, “so that’s two. Who are the others?” |
| “Ginsburg,” Trump replied. “What does she weigh? 60 pounds?” | “Ginsburg,” Trump replied. “What does she weigh? 60 pounds?” |
| “Who’s the fourth?” the source asked. | “Who’s the fourth?” the source asked. |
| “Sotomayor,” Trump said, referring to the 64-year-old justice appointed by Barack Obama in 2009. | “Sotomayor,” Trump said, referring to the 64-year-old justice appointed by Barack Obama in 2009. |
| “Her health,” he explained. “No good. Diabetes.” | “Her health,” he explained. “No good. Diabetes.” |
| *It should be noted that this is highly speculative and there is no reason to believe that the justice is in poor health. Sotomayor opened up about her diabetes in 2011. | *It should be noted that this is highly speculative and there is no reason to believe that the justice is in poor health. Sotomayor opened up about her diabetes in 2011. |
| Senator Susan Collins , a Maine Republican and a crucial vote who could decide the fate of the nomination, told CNN she was invited to the ceremony tonight but will not attend. | Senator Susan Collins , a Maine Republican and a crucial vote who could decide the fate of the nomination, told CNN she was invited to the ceremony tonight but will not attend. |
| Susan Collins, key swing vote, says she’s not going to WH tonight for SCOTUS event. She says she was invited. She would not comment on any of the four names | Susan Collins, key swing vote, says she’s not going to WH tonight for SCOTUS event. She says she was invited. She would not comment on any of the four names |
| Collins is important because she has said she will not support a nominee who would seek to reverse federal protections for women to access abortions. | Collins is important because she has said she will not support a nominee who would seek to reverse federal protections for women to access abortions. |
| She told ABC earlier this month that “a candidate for this important position who would overturn Roe v Wade would not be acceptable to me because that would indicate an activist agenda that I don’t want to see a judge have”. | She told ABC earlier this month that “a candidate for this important position who would overturn Roe v Wade would not be acceptable to me because that would indicate an activist agenda that I don’t want to see a judge have”. |
| Republicans have a narrow majority, and if Democrats stay united in opposition , a single Republican defection would tank the nomination. Her opposition to a nominee could also help give cover to vulnerable Democrats under pressure to support Trump’s nominee or face accusations of obstructionism from Republicans in their home states. | Republicans have a narrow majority, and if Democrats stay united in opposition , a single Republican defection would tank the nomination. Her opposition to a nominee could also help give cover to vulnerable Democrats under pressure to support Trump’s nominee or face accusations of obstructionism from Republicans in their home states. |
| While we wait, here’s Guardian columnist and former NYT executive editor, Jill Abramson, arguing that “Democrats don’t know how to fight anymore”. | While we wait, here’s Guardian columnist and former NYT executive editor, Jill Abramson, arguing that “Democrats don’t know how to fight anymore”. |
| Senate Democrats simply do not know how to wage a bare-knuckle fight any more. Without Nancy Pelosi, I doubt they could have won and saved Obamacare, the last truly important battle they won. ... | Senate Democrats simply do not know how to wage a bare-knuckle fight any more. Without Nancy Pelosi, I doubt they could have won and saved Obamacare, the last truly important battle they won. ... |
| [Democrats] have lost the devotion of their party’s core constituencies, especially young voters. These voters are woke and virulently anti-Trump. They abhor police misconduct, endemic sexual harassment, babies snatched from their parents at the border and the rise of white nationalist, fascist forces on the right. These and other causes have awakened them. They just stunned the Democratic party and its establishment supporters with the primary victory in New York of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. | [Democrats] have lost the devotion of their party’s core constituencies, especially young voters. These voters are woke and virulently anti-Trump. They abhor police misconduct, endemic sexual harassment, babies snatched from their parents at the border and the rise of white nationalist, fascist forces on the right. These and other causes have awakened them. They just stunned the Democratic party and its establishment supporters with the primary victory in New York of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. |
| Senate Democrats need to pay attention and take a page out of Mitch McConnell’s playbook and organize their hearts out, like Ocasio-Cortez. It’s time to fight fire with fire. | Senate Democrats need to pay attention and take a page out of Mitch McConnell’s playbook and organize their hearts out, like Ocasio-Cortez. It’s time to fight fire with fire. |
| Stocks are rising and falling by the millisecond as the hour ticks closer to the 9pm announcement. | Stocks are rising and falling by the millisecond as the hour ticks closer to the 9pm announcement. |
| Multiple outlets have confirmed that Trump has made his final decision but who it is remains a mystery ... for now. | Multiple outlets have confirmed that Trump has made his final decision but who it is remains a mystery ... for now. |
| The Wall Street Journal reported that “allies of judge Hardiman said they had been told to be ready to start touting the one-time taxi driver’s blue-collar roots, in hopes this would resonate with Mr Trump’s supporters”, according to a person familiar with the matter. It paper added the caveat that it wasn’t clear whether backers of the other judges had been similarly told to prepare in the event their candidate was chosen. | The Wall Street Journal reported that “allies of judge Hardiman said they had been told to be ready to start touting the one-time taxi driver’s blue-collar roots, in hopes this would resonate with Mr Trump’s supporters”, according to a person familiar with the matter. It paper added the caveat that it wasn’t clear whether backers of the other judges had been similarly told to prepare in the event their candidate was chosen. |
| Meanwhile, judge Kavanaugh made a not-so-discreet exit from the courthouse where he works. | Meanwhile, judge Kavanaugh made a not-so-discreet exit from the courthouse where he works. |
| Buzz at the US courthouse in DC: Brett Kavanaugh spotted leaving in a black sedan accompanied by four black SUVs with security agents presumed to be Secret Service, per source. | Buzz at the US courthouse in DC: Brett Kavanaugh spotted leaving in a black sedan accompanied by four black SUVs with security agents presumed to be Secret Service, per source. |
| There’s some speculation that the 9pm hour for Trump’s announcement was timed to coincide with Sean Hannity’s eponymous show on Fox News, which also begins at 9pm. Hannity is one of the president’s staunchest TV defenders. | There’s some speculation that the 9pm hour for Trump’s announcement was timed to coincide with Sean Hannity’s eponymous show on Fox News, which also begins at 9pm. Hannity is one of the president’s staunchest TV defenders. |
| Last week the White House hired former Fox News co-president Bill Shine as the White House’s deputy chief of staff for communications and assistant to the president. His appointment came more than a year after he resigned from the network amid allegations that he covered up sexual assault allegations against Roger Ailes, the late former chairman of Fox News. | Last week the White House hired former Fox News co-president Bill Shine as the White House’s deputy chief of staff for communications and assistant to the president. His appointment came more than a year after he resigned from the network amid allegations that he covered up sexual assault allegations against Roger Ailes, the late former chairman of Fox News. |
| Apropos, Hannity on radio just now said: "Trump will announce his pick tonight...i kind of like that it's right at the start of Hannity and we get to talk about it first." | Apropos, Hannity on radio just now said: "Trump will announce his pick tonight...i kind of like that it's right at the start of Hannity and we get to talk about it first." |
| I may be late to the game on this, but the 9pm Supreme Court reveal is ideal for Trump-whisperer Sean Hannity, whose show on Fox begins at the same time. And former Fox bigwig Bill Shine is now calling the communications plays in the West Wing. | I may be late to the game on this, but the 9pm Supreme Court reveal is ideal for Trump-whisperer Sean Hannity, whose show on Fox begins at the same time. And former Fox bigwig Bill Shine is now calling the communications plays in the West Wing. |
| Hannity, who favors judge Barrett, the socialist conservative Roman Catholic on Trump’s shortlist, played golf with the president in New Jersey on Sunday, according to the NYT. | Hannity, who favors judge Barrett, the socialist conservative Roman Catholic on Trump’s shortlist, played golf with the president in New Jersey on Sunday, according to the NYT. |
| Democrats are under immense pressure from the liberal base to reject Trump’s nominee for the supreme court. | Democrats are under immense pressure from the liberal base to reject Trump’s nominee for the supreme court. |
| Tonight activists with the progressive organization Indivisible will gather outside of Schumer’s New York City office urging the minority leader to “whip the vote” against Trump’s pick. | Tonight activists with the progressive organization Indivisible will gather outside of Schumer’s New York City office urging the minority leader to “whip the vote” against Trump’s pick. |
| On 7/9 at 5:30 pm join NYC indivisible groups to let @SenSchumer know he has our support to #WhipTheVote & unite Democrats against Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. More info: https://t.co/x4rvBkbHPf #SaveSCOTUS pic.twitter.com/IZkVcAryt6 | On 7/9 at 5:30 pm join NYC indivisible groups to let @SenSchumer know he has our support to #WhipTheVote & unite Democrats against Trump’s Supreme Court nominee. More info: https://t.co/x4rvBkbHPf #SaveSCOTUS pic.twitter.com/IZkVcAryt6 |
| Schumer has said the Democrats’ strategy will be to persuade two pro-abortion Republican senators that Trump’s nominee is a threat to Roe v Wade, the landmark supreme court case that legalized abortion access nationwide. | Schumer has said the Democrats’ strategy will be to persuade two pro-abortion Republican senators that Trump’s nominee is a threat to Roe v Wade, the landmark supreme court case that legalized abortion access nationwide. |
| But some activists want him to do more – and in some cases more than is possible given the Democrats minority in the Senate. | But some activists want him to do more – and in some cases more than is possible given the Democrats minority in the Senate. |
| A handful of red state Democratic senators were invited to watch the unveiling of Trump’s supreme court nominee in the White House East Room tonight. | A handful of red state Democratic senators were invited to watch the unveiling of Trump’s supreme court nominee in the White House East Room tonight. |
| Statement from Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly: | Statement from Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly: |
| “While I appreciate the invitation from the White House to attend this evening’s announcement, I declined so that I can meet first with the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience and perspectives. In the coming days, I will be reviewing the record and qualifications of the president’s nominee.” | “While I appreciate the invitation from the White House to attend this evening’s announcement, I declined so that I can meet first with the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience and perspectives. In the coming days, I will be reviewing the record and qualifications of the president’s nominee.” |
| Statement from the office of North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp: | Statement from the office of North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp: |
| “Senator Heitkamp was invited but isn’t able to attend tonight. She has made clear – as she said to the president in person two weeks ago – that she considers fully vetting supreme court nominees one of the most important jobs of any US senator, and she plans to fulfill that critical duty.” | “Senator Heitkamp was invited but isn’t able to attend tonight. She has made clear – as she said to the president in person two weeks ago – that she considers fully vetting supreme court nominees one of the most important jobs of any US senator, and she plans to fulfill that critical duty.” |
| Tweet from West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin: | Tweet from West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin: |
| I appreciate the President inviting me to attend tonight's announcement at the WH. I look forward to meeting the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare for WVians with pre-existing conditions. | I appreciate the President inviting me to attend tonight's announcement at the WH. I look forward to meeting the nominee in a setting where we can discuss his or her experience, judicial philosophy & perspective on access to healthcare for WVians with pre-existing conditions. |
| The Guardian has also confirmed that Alabama Senator Doug Jones was also invited and will not attend. | The Guardian has also confirmed that Alabama Senator Doug Jones was also invited and will not attend. |
| Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, could not contain his glee at the prospect of appointing a second conservative judge to the supreme court during his remarks on the Senate floor today. | Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, could not contain his glee at the prospect of appointing a second conservative judge to the supreme court during his remarks on the Senate floor today. |
| Mitch McConnell cracks an excitable grin on occasion, but he's on another level right now with this Supreme Court vacancy. pic.twitter.com/HZQP2Vdyib | Mitch McConnell cracks an excitable grin on occasion, but he's on another level right now with this Supreme Court vacancy. pic.twitter.com/HZQP2Vdyib |
| During his speech, McConnell accused Democrats of using “scare tactics” to build a case against Trump’s nominee. | During his speech, McConnell accused Democrats of using “scare tactics” to build a case against Trump’s nominee. |
| Justice Kennedy’s resignation letter had barely arrived in the president’s hands before several of our Democratic colleagues began declaring their blanket opposition to anyone at all – anyone – that the president might name. | Justice Kennedy’s resignation letter had barely arrived in the president’s hands before several of our Democratic colleagues began declaring their blanket opposition to anyone at all – anyone – that the president might name. |
| Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, said that the next supreme court nominee will be consequential in deciding “enormously important issues”, specifically healthcare and a woman’s ability to access an abortion. | Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, said that the next supreme court nominee will be consequential in deciding “enormously important issues”, specifically healthcare and a woman’s ability to access an abortion. |
| “ These two rights – affordable health care and women’s freedom to make sensitive health care decisions – hang in the balance with this nominee,” Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of Trump’s announcement. | “ These two rights – affordable health care and women’s freedom to make sensitive health care decisions – hang in the balance with this nominee,” Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of Trump’s announcement. |
| The New York said it is meaningless for senators to trust that nominees will respect settled law and said that senators should demand an affirmative statement of support for the liberties of all Americans from the next supreme court nominee”. | The New York said it is meaningless for senators to trust that nominees will respect settled law and said that senators should demand an affirmative statement of support for the liberties of all Americans from the next supreme court nominee”. |
| At this critical juncture, with so many rights at stake, senators and the American people should expect an affirmative statement of support. | At this critical juncture, with so many rights at stake, senators and the American people should expect an affirmative statement of support. |
| The American people deserve to know what kind of a Justice President Trump’s nominee would be. President Trump is the one who made the litmus test for his nominees, not us. The onus is on his nominee to show where he or she might stand. | The American people deserve to know what kind of a Justice President Trump’s nominee would be. President Trump is the one who made the litmus test for his nominees, not us. The onus is on his nominee to show where he or she might stand. |
| Considering the ample evidence that President Trump will only select a nominee who will undermine protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, give greater weight to corporate interests than the interests of our citizens, no matter what precedent says, and vote to overturn Roe v Wade – the next nominee has an obligation – a serious and solemn obligation – to share their personal views on these legal issues, no matter whom President Trump selects tonight. | Considering the ample evidence that President Trump will only select a nominee who will undermine protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions, give greater weight to corporate interests than the interests of our citizens, no matter what precedent says, and vote to overturn Roe v Wade – the next nominee has an obligation – a serious and solemn obligation – to share their personal views on these legal issues, no matter whom President Trump selects tonight. |
| Perhaps a bit of wishful thinking on the part of Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who lobbied for his friend and colleague Utah Senator Mike Lee, a long-shot contender for the posting. (The Senate is in session today and Lee’s presence is expected.) | Perhaps a bit of wishful thinking on the part of Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who lobbied for his friend and colleague Utah Senator Mike Lee, a long-shot contender for the posting. (The Senate is in session today and Lee’s presence is expected.) |
| I'm told Mike Lee has been spotted flying to Washington today.... | I'm told Mike Lee has been spotted flying to Washington today.... |
| Trump did interview Lee for the post, the senator’s office said. | Trump did interview Lee for the post, the senator’s office said. |
| As soon as Trump makes his announcement, the conservative organization, Judicial Crisis Network says it will launch a $1.4m national ad buy in Alabama, Indiana, North Dakota and West Virginia featuring an introductory bio spot about the chosen nominee. The ad campaign targets vulnerable incumbent Democrats who are up for re-election in states Trump won handedly. | As soon as Trump makes his announcement, the conservative organization, Judicial Crisis Network says it will launch a $1.4m national ad buy in Alabama, Indiana, North Dakota and West Virginia featuring an introductory bio spot about the chosen nominee. The ad campaign targets vulnerable incumbent Democrats who are up for re-election in states Trump won handedly. |
| Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, were the only Democrats to vote for Trump’s first supreme court nominee, Neil Gorsuch and will be under immense pressure from both sides over their vote this time around. | Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, were the only Democrats to vote for Trump’s first supreme court nominee, Neil Gorsuch and will be under immense pressure from both sides over their vote this time around. |
| Democrat Doug Jones of Alabama, who is not up for re-election until 2020, has said he will approach the nomination with an open mind. | Democrat Doug Jones of Alabama, who is not up for re-election until 2020, has said he will approach the nomination with an open mind. |
| “I don’t think my role is to rubber stamp for the president, but it’s also not an automatic knee-jerk no, either,” he told CNN. | “I don’t think my role is to rubber stamp for the president, but it’s also not an automatic knee-jerk no, either,” he told CNN. |
| Pennsylvania senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, announced his opposition to Trump’s supreme court nominee hours before the president revealed his choice. | Pennsylvania senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, announced his opposition to Trump’s supreme court nominee hours before the president revealed his choice. |
| The finalists were drawn from a list of 25 candidates shaped by the conservative organizations, the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. Casey argues that it is “outrageous” the president would limit his choice to such a narrow list of pre-approved judges, any of whom he says would be the “fruit of a corrupt process straight from the DC swamp”. | The finalists were drawn from a list of 25 candidates shaped by the conservative organizations, the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. Casey argues that it is “outrageous” the president would limit his choice to such a narrow list of pre-approved judges, any of whom he says would be the “fruit of a corrupt process straight from the DC swamp”. |
| In a nation with over 700 sitting federal judges, many of whom were appointed by Republican presidents, it is outrageous that President Trump will nominate from a list of just 25 dictated to him by the Heritage Foundation. | In a nation with over 700 sitting federal judges, many of whom were appointed by Republican presidents, it is outrageous that President Trump will nominate from a list of just 25 dictated to him by the Heritage Foundation. |
| President Lincoln called on our nation to work to ensure “… that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Instead, the GOP is determined to pack the Court with a government of, by, and for extreme Right corporate interests. | President Lincoln called on our nation to work to ensure “… that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Instead, the GOP is determined to pack the Court with a government of, by, and for extreme Right corporate interests. |
| Who will get the rose? | Who will get the rose? |
| Donald Trump’s 9pm supreme court announcement will interrupt ABC’s broadcast of The Bachelorette. While the political class cracks jokes about the president’s predilection for reality TV show drama, the show’s host cut through with a PSA for #BachelorNation | Donald Trump’s 9pm supreme court announcement will interrupt ABC’s broadcast of The Bachelorette. While the political class cracks jokes about the president’s predilection for reality TV show drama, the show’s host cut through with a PSA for #BachelorNation |
| Here’s my PSA for #BachelorNation @abcnews will be cutting in at 9/8 ET/CT tonight for SCOTUS announcement. #TheBachelorette will be “paused” and seen in its entirety. Now go have a great day and I’ll see you tonight! | Here’s my PSA for #BachelorNation @abcnews will be cutting in at 9/8 ET/CT tonight for SCOTUS announcement. #TheBachelorette will be “paused” and seen in its entirety. Now go have a great day and I’ll see you tonight! |
| To be safe you should extend your recordings of #TheBachelorette tonight by 30 minutes | To be safe you should extend your recordings of #TheBachelorette tonight by 30 minutes |
| Donald Trump will reveal his replacement for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on the supreme court in a primetime address on Monday evening, a choice that could shift the ideological bent of the nation’s highest court for decades. | Donald Trump will reveal his replacement for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on the supreme court in a primetime address on Monday evening, a choice that could shift the ideological bent of the nation’s highest court for decades. |
| I have long heard that the most important decision a U.S. President can make is the selection of a Supreme Court Justice - Will be announced tonight at 9:00 P.M. | I have long heard that the most important decision a U.S. President can make is the selection of a Supreme Court Justice - Will be announced tonight at 9:00 P.M. |
| Trump has reportedly narrowed the pool of candidates to four federal appeals court judges. | Trump has reportedly narrowed the pool of candidates to four federal appeals court judges. |
| Raymond Kethledge, 51, judge on the United States court of appeals for the Sixth Circuit | Raymond Kethledge, 51, judge on the United States court of appeals for the Sixth Circuit |
| Thomas Hardiman, 53, judge on the United States court of appeals for the third circuit | Thomas Hardiman, 53, judge on the United States court of appeals for the third circuit |
| Brett Kavanaugh, 53, judge on the United States court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit | Brett Kavanaugh, 53, judge on the United States court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit |
| Amy Coney Barrett, 46, judge on the United States court of appeals for the seventh circuit | Amy Coney Barrett, 46, judge on the United States court of appeals for the seventh circuit |
| The announcement will set in a motion a brutal – and expensive – political battle over Trump’s supreme court nominee. Democrats are already mobilizing against the possible contenders, arguing that his choice could help undermine abortion rights, healthcare protections, marriage equality, affirmative action and a host of other issues in ways that could fundamentally reshape American life. Republicans meanwhile are lobbying the White House on behalf of their preferred candidate. | The announcement will set in a motion a brutal – and expensive – political battle over Trump’s supreme court nominee. Democrats are already mobilizing against the possible contenders, arguing that his choice could help undermine abortion rights, healthcare protections, marriage equality, affirmative action and a host of other issues in ways that could fundamentally reshape American life. Republicans meanwhile are lobbying the White House on behalf of their preferred candidate. |
| Once Trump names his nominee, all eyes will shift to a handful of moderate Democratic and Republican senators. In the Senate, Republicans hold a slim 51-49 advantage. With the expected absence of Republican senator John McCain due to brain cancer, Republicans only have 50 votes. | Once Trump names his nominee, all eyes will shift to a handful of moderate Democratic and Republican senators. In the Senate, Republicans hold a slim 51-49 advantage. With the expected absence of Republican senator John McCain due to brain cancer, Republicans only have 50 votes. |
| Over the weekend, Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, reportedly told Trump that Kethledge and Hardiman likely face the fewest obstacles in the confirmation process. | Over the weekend, Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, reportedly told Trump that Kethledge and Hardiman likely face the fewest obstacles in the confirmation process. |