[apillar]

I concur. Baring some real scandal (as opposed to the little nickel and dime stuff the democrats keep trotting out every five seconds), it appears he may very well sail through despite democrats best efforts. Susan Collins has all but said she supports him, Rand Paul is making noise and being a prima donna like normal, but McConnell will throw him some bone and get him on board. That leaves Murkowski, but Alaska is a hard red state and I just don't see her coming out against Kavanaugh, and even losing her wouldn't matter if they can fly McCain in on a hospital transport to cast a vote as he has already said HE supports the nomination.

The democrat's "thin RINO wall" is collapsing faster than Hillary's blue wall on election night. My guess, when all is said and done, Kavanaugh is comfortable confirmed with 54 votes. If it appears that he will be confirmed anyway, Schumer will give the red state democrats like Manchin permission to vote for him, as it changes nothing, and forcing them to vote no would just endanger their seats come November.

[MountainWalker]

I agree with your analysis 100%. The only way Shumer would hold his conference together is if Republicans didn’t have enough votes. I’m sure they’ll pore over the numbers and cut free whichever red state Democrats will get a net boost with a yes vote.