NO DONE DEAL – AT 1:54 P.M. ET:  Conservatives are euphoric over the opportunity to put another of their own on the Supreme Court.  I hope it happens, but it's no done deal.  Confirmation of any Trump nominee will be difficult, and Republicans only have a two-seat majority in the Senate. 

While a simple majority is enough to confirm, getting there may not be a rosy road.  The problem might not be with Democrats, but with recalcitrant Republicans, those who aren't as conservative on some issues as the majority of their party.   From The Hill: 

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said on Wednesday that she believes Roe v. Wade is settled legal precedent — and she believes judges should respect precedent. 

"I view Roe v. Wade as being settled law. It’s clearly precedent and I always look for judges who respect precedent," Collins told reporters on Wednesday, referencing the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.

Her comments come after Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement announcement quickly reignited talk of a possible fight over abortion.

Kennedy had been the fifth vote in a 1992 case reaffirming Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that established the right to abortion in 1973.

Collins and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) are viewed as two potential early swing votes on Trump's forthcoming nominee. Progressives already are urging voters to push the two senators to oppose a nominee deemed too conservative on abortion. 

COMMENT:  And other Republicans may balk on other issues.  When the confirmation vote is taken, it's quite possible that Democrats from red states will be needed to bring a new judge to the Court.  That is why McConnell will try to get a vote before the midterms, when the heat will be on red-state Democrats to side with President Trump, or lose their Senate seats.

This will be a bitter fight.  I fear that it may get rough, mean, and possibly generate some street violence.

June 28, 2018