The Atlantic

The Secret to Brett Kavanaugh's Specific Appeal

The nominee’s transgressions, far from marking him as unfit, signal to his supporters that he is trustworthy—he is one of them.
Source: POOL New / Reuters

If you are one of Brett Kavanaugh’s detractors, the accusations against him demonstrate an underlying contempt for women. His attempts to portray himself as a studious, innocent youth make it worse, adding dishonesty to the list of objectionable characteristics. When he testified before the Senate on Thursday, he seemed like an entitled frat-boy infuriated by the possibility of not getting his way. To see him as suitable for the Supreme Court seems unfathomable.

But it is of course quite fathomable: On Friday, the Judiciary Committee voted to advance Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Senate floor, albeit with the understanding that an FBI investigation would take place.  As the accusations came out, President Trump and the GOP leadership doubled down in support of their nominee. Trump called him “a wonderful man, and a man who has the potential to be one of our greatest Supreme Court

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