GOP women stuck in hot seat as vote looms
Two in Senate could decide nomination
WASHINGTON — The Trump era has, at times, been uncomfortable for Republican women, especially the six senators who will be asked to vote for Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation by week’s end.
On Tuesday night, President Donald Trump ridiculed Christine Blasey Ford, who accuses Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in high school — a claim Kavanaugh denies.
Recent polls show a majority of women think the Senate should not confirm Kavanaugh. But Republican women, like GOP men, are overwhelmingly sticking with the nominee.
Here’s a look at how it’s playing out for female Republican senators:
THE CRITICAL TWO: Two GOP votes against Kavanaugh’s confirmation sinks it if every Democrat votes no.
That’s put a pair of female Republican senators, Maine’s Susan Collins and Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski, under excruciating pressure.
Neither has said how she will vote. Each wants to see the results of the FBI investigation.
Collins on Wednesday called Trump’s scoffing at Ford “just plain wrong.”
Added Murkowski a few hours later: “I thought the president’s comments yesterday mocking Dr. Ford were wholly inappropriate and in my view
unacceptable.”
Neither senator is up for reelection this year.
TWO ON THE BALLOT: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Mississippi Republican, appointed only two months ago to a seat the GOP needs to keep, has left no doubt where she stands on Kavanaugh. In her first speech on the Senate floor, she announced that it was her “duty” to support Kavanaugh. She made time to appear at Trump’s rally Tuesday night in Southaven, Miss.
Also on the ballot is Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, who is campaigning for a second Senate term.
Fischer has said she intends to support Kavanaugh, but added, “We’re going to see what the investigation brings, and let’s get the vote.” THE OTHER TWO: The two other Republican female senators say victims should be heard, but they want Kavanaugh confirmed.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said Ford’s story hasn’t been corroborated and people should be presumed innocent until proved guilty.
West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito has said she supports Kavanaugh.
POLLING: A Quinnipiac University poll conducted in the days after Ford and Kavanaugh testified showed that public opinion had started to tilt against Kavanaugh, with 48 percent of voters opposed to his confirmation and 42 percent in favor. A September Quinnipiac poll found a nearly even split in opinions on the confirmation.