Kavanaugh Has a Strong Chance of Confirmation—and of Becoming an Election Rallying Cry

This week is Brett Kavanaugh’s audition for Supreme Court justice. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold hearings starting on Tuesday, likely focusing on Kavanaugh’s time as a White House counsel during the George W. Bush administration and his record as a federal appellate-court judge. Barring some explosive revelation, Kavanaugh has strong odds of winning the 51 Senate votes he needs to be confirmed. A half-dozen or more Democrats are looking ahead to vicious reelection races in states that went for President Trump, and several key, moderate Republicans have already suggested that they plan to support the judge.

If Kavanaugh is confirmed, his decisions from the Supreme Court bench could shape legal standards on executive power, religious freedom, affirmative