Article link (Politico)
Brett Kavanaugh, who is President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee to replace retired justice Anthony Kennedy, is scheduled for hearings during the first week of September. Justice Kennedy has been the swing vote on the court for decades and Kavanaugh's judicial philosophy would make the Supreme Court lean solidly conservative. Democrats are trying to prevent Kavanaugh's confirmation and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer has said the Republicans are being more secretive about Kavanaugh's history than any previous Supreme Court candidate. The public will hear more from Kavanaugh during his hearings in September, which Republicans are confident will lead to his confirmation as a Supreme Court justice in time for the new term that begins in October. This NY Times article illuminates the partisan divide over this nomination and some potential problems with Kavanaugh's history.
Discussion Questions
1. Does close attention need to be paid to records from Kavanaugh's five years in the Bush administration as staff secretary?
2. Is Kavanaugh a good pick to become a Supreme Court justice based on what you know about him so far or do we need to reserve judgment until his hearings next month?
3. If Kavanaugh is confirmed as expected, will it give Republicans a boost in the November midterm elections?
If Kavanaugh is confirmed to assume a role on the Supreme Court before the midterm elections I believe it will not only give the Republicans a boost but will help Trump begin to follow through on some of his campaign promises. Trump adopted conservative values regarding abortion and did mention he would reverse the Roe v. Wade decision. If Kavanaugh were to be confirmed his conservative stance would align with the then majority right leaning court. This could provide Trump and with incentive to review the Roe v. Wade decision and attempt a reversal. Especially if Democrats take the House during midterms a conservative leaning court would be useful in combating their efforts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rojean that if Kavanaugh confirmation does get through, it will be a big win for the Republicans as they are already have most of the power,and Kavanaugh is not known for his swing decisions like, Anthony Kennedy. In the past, Kavanaugh has disagree with Obama's environmental protections, and wants the government to obtain from immediate abortion. With Brett Kavanaugh it will greatly help Trump.
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