Rand Paul isn’t the one I was worried about not voting for Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination, but I am glad he has decided to support him.
He explains why he’s come to this conclusion below:
After meeting Judge Kavanaugh and reviewing his record, I have decided to support his nomination. No one will ever completely agree with a nominee (unless of course, you are the nominee). Each nominee however, must be judged on the totality of their views character and opinions.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
I have expressed my concern over Judge Kavanaugh’s record on warrantless bulk collection of data and how that might apply to very important privacy cases before the Supreme Court.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
In reviewing his record on other privacy cases like Jones, and through my conversation with him, I have hope that in light of the new precedent in Carpenter v. United States, Judge Kavanaugh will be more open to a Fourth Amendment that protects digital records and property.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
Of course, my vote is not a single-issue vote, and much of my reading and conversation has been in trying to figure out exactly how good Judge Kavanaugh will be on other issues before the Court.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
My conversation with Judge Kavanaugh reinforces my belief that he will evaluate cases before the Supreme Court from a textual and originalist point of view. I believe he will carefully adhere to the Constitution and will take his job to protect individual liberty seriously.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
On issues such as property rights and reining in the administrative state, Judge Kavanaugh has a strong record and showed a deep commitment during our meeting.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
His views on due process and mens rea show a thoughtful approach to the law and its applications. His views on war powers and separation of powers are encouraging.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
Finally, his strong defenses of the First and Second Amendments in landmark cases show someone who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo and will fight with backbone. Judge Kavanaugh will have my support and my vote to confirm him to the Supreme Court.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) July 30, 2018
I suspect Kavanaugh will also end up getting the support of Murkowski and Collins, as Trump intentionally didn’t pick someone who would test their tenuous RINO support.
The last I heard no Democrats had met with Kavanaugh yet. I’m not sure if that’s changed, but according to Politico, Schumer is trying hard to keep his caucus from supporting Kavanaugh. He’s apparently trying to force Republicans to come up with 50 votes of their own.
But it’s still early in the process and the general election. I suspect as we get closer to November some of those red state Democrats like Manchin, Heitkamp, and Donnelly might start cracking.