Brett Kavanaugh: An Excellent BeginningPowerline, Jul 9, 2018, John Hinderaker
President Trump announced his appointment of D. C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court a few minutes ago. Trump was joined at the podium by Kavanaugh and his wife and two daughters. The event was, I think, superbly staged. Some observations:
1) President Trump’s introduction of Kavanaugh was beautifully conceived and delivered. Was there a teleprompter that I missed? Trump’s announcement seemed to be extemporaneous, and it was done flawlessly. Barack Obama was never able to talk off the cuff like this.
2) Trump emphasized Kavanaugh’s establishment credentials. With a razor-thin one-vote margin in the Senate, this is a good approach, and it probably accounts in large part for Trump’s selection of Kavanaugh. His credentials for the job are unimpeachable. If Trump has another opportunity to name a Justice, the Republicans will probably have a wider margin in the Senate and he may be free to choose a more controversial nominee.
3) The President praised Justice Anthony Kennedy rather effusively, and the fact that Kavanaugh clerked for Kennedy was emphasized. This was smart: the implication was that Kavanaugh will continue Kennedy’s tradition rather than being a radical departure from it, as the Democrats will assert.
<snip>
7) On the whole, I thought the announcement was beautifully managed. The audience gave Judge Kavanaugh and his family a warm reception that must have impressed unbiased viewers. The road to confirmation may be bumpy, given the Democrats’ lunacy, but it got off to an excellent start tonight.
Read more:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2018/07/brett-kavanaugh-an-excellent-beginning.php
