Republicans Rescued Kavanaugh’s Nomination By Making It About #MeToo

Brett Kavanaugh seemed like the dream Supreme Court nominee for Republican voters and activists when he was nominated in mid-July. He had the résumé and experience to be confirmed relatively easily, but also a clear ideological background that suggested he would join the conservatives already on the high court in overturning Roe v. Wade. But as Kavanaugh’s nomination has grown more contentious amid allegations of sexual misconduct, prominent conservatives have not pushed for his confirmation by hyping up his potential to push jurisprudence to the right, such as by limiting abortion.

Instead, GOP leaders, including President Trump, have waged what amounts to an aggressive anti-#MeToo campaign in Kavanaugh’s defense, not only rejecting the charge that he behaved improperly but more broadly arguing that men in America are in peril. CONT.

Perry Bacon Jr., FiveThirtyEight