For the first time since his nomination, Democrats have agreed to finally sit down and meet Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) became the first Senate Democrat to meet with Kavanaugh Monday afternoon.
Democrats have been boycotting the court pick by refusing to allow him to visit their Capitol Hill offices or meet with him any where in Washington. The democrat snub has been described as “childish” and “immature” by court observers who point out that Kavanaugh previously was supported by Democrats until he was nominated by President Trump. Polls show Americans overwhelmingly support Kavanaugh and see him as a fair and credible candidate for the position.
Manchin, who represents a Democrat stronghold state that overwhelmingly voted for Trump in 2016, promised to give him “a fair and thorough examination.”
Manchin is just one of three Democratic senators who voted in favor of confirming Justice Neil Gorsuch. He tweeted last week that he holds his “constitutional duty to advise and consent on every Presidential nominee to serve on the Supreme Court” very sacred, and said he will “never immediately oppose or support a Supreme Court nominee.”
Manchin is one of ten Senate Democrats up for re-election in a state President Trump won in 2016. According to a poll from the North Star Opinion Research a majority of voters in West Virginia (55% to 30%) say they’d like to see the Senate confirm Judge Kavanaugh. The same poll shows a majority of voters in three other states Trump won with Democratic senators, Alabama, Indiana, and North Dakota, also say the Senate should confirm Judge Kavanaugh.
Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), another vulnerable Democratic senator up for re-election this year, announced he plans to meet with Kavanaugh on August 15.
While Manchin has not publicly shared whether or not he will vote in favor of Kavanaugh, Republicans did inch one step closer to a smooth confirmation process Monday when Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) announced after meeting with the judge, he will back him.
“I have decided to support his nomination,” said Paul in a statement.
With Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who has voiced support for Kavanaugh, unable to travel to Washington for health reasons, Republicans need unanimous party support for Kavanaugh in order to confirm him this fall.
