Kavanaugh Drama Could Boost GOP’s Performance in Midterms

New polls suggest the sexual misconduct accusation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh could actually boost the GOP’s chances of retaining control of the Senate.

While the party of an incumbent president is unlikely to perform well during midterm elections that occur during his first term, recent polls suggest 2018 could turn out differently. 

Fox News polling shows a recent increase in Republican enthusiasm that seems to parallel the drama unfolding around Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. 

The number of Republicans feeling “extremely” interested in the midterm elections is up 8 points in North Dakota – where Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp is facing increasing pressure to make a decision on Kavanaugh.

GOP interest is up 9 points in Indiana, and Republicans are hoping Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly’s opposition to Kavanaugh will boost Trump-backed opponent Mike Braun.

Republicans are particularly irate regarding Democrats’ attacks against Kavanaugh compared to their disinterest in similar accusations leveled against DNC Deputy Chair Keith Ellison. 

The charges against Ellison are recent and specific, with the accuser (Karen Monahan) allegedly in possession of texts, medical records, and a video to prove the abuse she suffered at his hands.

By comparison, the vague accusation against Kavanaugh relates to a high school party that occurred nearly 40 years ago. And the accuser – Christine Blasey Ford – just happens to be a progressive Democrat who opposes the Kavanaugh confirmation. According to her testimony, she remembers almost nothing about that night despite having had just one beer. 

“The harsh and unfair treatment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh is having an incredible upward impact on voters,” tweeted Trump on Thursday. “The PEOPLE get it far better than the politicians. Most importantly, this great life cannot be ruined by mean & despicable Democrats and totally uncorroborated allegations!” 

Ford’s accusation against Kavanaugh, which is currently under investigation by the FBI, has also caused drama for California Senator Dianne Feinstein (D). 

Feinstein supposedly had prior knowledge of the accusation, but kept it secret to avoid revealing Ford’s identity. Ford conveniently revealed her identity via the left-leaning Washington Post in the midst of Kavanaugh’s confirmation process. 

There is zero motivation for Feinstein to have kept the information about Kavanaugh a secret, and her claim to have known about Ford’s accusation has prompted calls for her to resign.

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Meanwhile, multiple sources have predicted the Kavanaugh issue will harm Republican’s chances of retaining control of the House – especially after Trump mocked Ford during a rally in Mississippi earlier this week. Such treatment of a #MeToo victim threatens to ostracize female voters and independents – whose support is necessary for House Republicans in danger of losing their seats.