| | | | | The makeup of the US Supreme Court is expected to be decided with a vote this weekend. Credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images | | | Senate Votes to Advance Kavanaugh Confirmation: A final vote is expected Saturday
Kavanaugh Responds: The Supreme Court nominee wrote a Wall Street Journal op-ed
Temperament a Key Issue for Many Opposing Nominee: His performance in last week's hearing bothered some people | | | What Washington Is Talking About:
The Senate voted 51-49 to advance Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to a final floor vote. Among swing voters, Sens. Susan Collins, Bob Corker, Jeff Flake and Joe Manchin voted "yes," and Sens. Joe Donnelly, Heidi Heitkamp, Lisa Murkowski and Jon Tester voted "no." A final vote is expected Saturday.
What America Is Talking About:
Today is the anniversary of the first Harvey Weinstein story that would eventually set off the #MeToo movement; the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest rate in 49 years; and Chris Evans announced he's wrapped filming on "Avengers 4" and after eight years, he's apparently finished playing Captain America.
Kavanaugh Responds:
The nominee published an op-ed Thursday night in The Wall Street Journal headlined "I Am An Independent, Impartial Judge." He wrote that during his hearing on September 27 he "might have been too emotional at times. I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said." | | Credit: Wall Street Journal
Temperament a Key Issue for Many Opposing Kavanaugh:
In the past day, a number of people and groups have come out against Kavanaugh and cited his temperament during last week's hearing. Here's what they've said: - Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who retired in 2010, said Thursday in Boca Raton, Florida, he doesn't think Kavanaugh belongs on the high court. "I feel his performance in the hearings ultimately changed my mind," Stevens said, according to the Palm Beach Post.
- The American Bar Association said today in a letter it's reopening its evaluation of Kavanaugh because of his temperament during the hearing.
- More than 2,400 law professors from 190 law schools across the country signed a letter delivered to senators calling for Kavanaugh not to be confirmed. "We regret that we feel compelled to write to you, our Senators, to provide our views that at the Senate hearings on Sept. 27, Judge Brett Kavanaugh displayed a lack of judicial temperament that would be disqualifying for any court, and certainly for elevation to the highest court of this land," the authors of the letter wrote.
- The Washington Post editorial board published an op-ed today that it was coming out against Kavanaugh's confirmation, the first the board has opposed since Robert H. Bork in 1987. "Unfortunately -- and unnecessarily; it didn't have to be this way -- too many questions remain about his history for senators to responsibly vote 'yes,' " the board wrote. "At the same time, enough has been learned about his partisan instincts that we believe senators must vote 'no.' "
Heitkamp on Why She's Voting No:
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a North Dakota Democrat who is trailing Republican challenger Kevin Cramer in a Fox News poll, said Thursday she would vote against Kavanaugh.
"You know, there's an old saying: History will judge you, but most importantly, you'll judge yourself," she told WDAY in North Dakota. "And that's really what I'm saying. I can't get up in the morning and look at the life experience that I've had and say yes to Judge Kavanaugh." | | Credit: WDAY
Hundreds Arrested in Capitol Protests:
As of Thursday afternoon, nearly 300 people protesting at the Hart Senate Office Building were arrested over unlawful protests, Capitol Police communications director Eva Malecki said in a statement.
Among those arrested was Amy Schumer, who was wearing a green shirt that said, "This Today, then #ERA." Actress-model Emily Ratajkowski also said she was arrested. | | Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Protesters Chant "Chug" Outside McConnell's Home:
Footage on social media this morning showed protesters with beer and signs with Greek letters chanting "chug, chug, chug" outside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's home in Washington. | | Credit: @LAKauffman/Twitter
Trump Accuses Protesters of Being Paid Professionals:
Trump, whose campaign kicked off at Trump Tower in 2015 reportedly with calls out for actors, tweeted this morning without evidence that the "very rude elevator screamers" whom some lawmakers have encountered were "paid for by (George) Soros and others." Trump said protesters' signs were "not signs made in the basement from love!" It is the first time Trump has tweeted "Soros."
FLOTUS Watch:
Meanwhile, Melania Trump was feeding elephants today in Kenya as her trip to Africa continued. Kate said she's never seen the first lady laugh or smile as much as she did here. | | Credit: @KateBennett_DC/Twitter
There's Going to be a Hillary Clinton Show on Broadway:
It will be called "Hillary and Clinton." The play by Lucas Hnath will star Laurie Metcalf and John Lithgow as the Clintons, and it will be set in New Hampshire during the 2008 Democratic primary.
Street Art Sighting:
Saint Hoax, one of Instagram's favorite political and pop cultural artists, has a show opening next week in Beirut, Lebanon, titled "MonuMental" that will include the below inflatable Trump tank. Saint Hoax told Vice Arabia, "This piece is on the cusp of entertainment and terror, similar to Trump's political persona -- which could be seen as amusing at times -- but has also subjected so many minorities to the fears of an uncertain future. Like a balloon that is one pop away from being flattened."
The artist also said so much of his work is about American politics and culture because it's "universal." "It's been imposed on us through the omnipresence of Hollywood and the idea of the 'American Dream' in the media," he said. "In a way, it's become a topic that unites people, an identity that belongs to everyone." | | Credit: @sainthoax/Instagram
If you spot political street art, tweet me @hunterschwarz, tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com with your sighting so I can feature it in COVER/LINE.
Kate Bennett is off. | | | | | | |
