Kennedy’s Retirement Puts Moderate Democrats In A Bind

Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement just made the midterm elections even more contentious than they already were. His replacement will have to be approved by the Senate, and the confirmation process will likely take place in the weeks leading up to the November elections. (Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has already promised the vote will take place “this fall.”) That means a number of senate Democrats holding endangered seats in Trump-voting states will have to make a difficult decision: support their party leadership and vote against President Trump’s eventual nominee, risking the wrath of voters at home, or vote for the president’s nominee and endanger whatever slim chance the Democrats might have of blocking Trump’s nominee.