Liberal Campaign to Oppose SCOTUS Pick Already Underway
- Why It's Going to Be an Epic Battle
WASHINGTON – Experts have predicted the confirmation battle for the next justice of the Supreme
Court will be epic and the proof is already materializing.
Abortion activists are already preparing to mobilize against the president's pick – specifically, they're
targeting two states where they believe they can convince the Republican senators there to break ranks
and oppose the nominee.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AL) and Susan Collins (R-MA) are known for voting against their party,
and perhaps more importantly, both women are pro-choice and don't want to see Roe v. Wade
ever since Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement.
The group hosted a call with 10,000 activists this week to discuss the threats to abortion rights and
is using social media to galvanize its supporters.
"We know—and we know for sure—that any of Trump's list of 25 will vote to decimate our rights
under Roe v. Wade. Period," said NARAL President Ilyse Hogue.
View image on Twitter
NARAL
✔@NARAL"We know—and we know for sure—that any of Trump's list of 25 will vote to decimate our rights
compasses. And if they don't, then they need to examine their political futures," Hogue warned.
Indivisible, a group established in opposition to President Donald Trump after he was elected, is
also rallying its members.
It's reportedly set up a hotline to connect people with their senators and created a script for callers to
read.
Abortion isn't the only driving issue behind the protests – groups in support of Obamacare are also
gearing up for the fight.
Protect Our Care, a coalition designed to maintain the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and which was
active during the Republican drive to repeal and replace the law last year, is warning the new justice
could be a deciding vote that gets rid of protections for pre-existing conditions.
Their ad, "Emergency" airs nationwide and targets voters in Maine and Alaska.
However, there's another challenge for activists who care about abortion rights and the ACA: Three
Democratic senators may also break ranks with their party to join Republicans in voting to confirm
the president's nominee.
Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) all voted to confirm
the president's first Supreme Court pick, Justice Neil Gorsuch, and perhaps more importantly, all three
are seeking re-election in states that President Trump won in 2016.
It's also important to note that the man or woman President Trump nominates to replace
Justice Kennedy may or may not be as predictable as everyone assumes.
Kennedy was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, who described him as a conservative –
something that's been true of Kennedy only about half of the time.
Also, Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by President George W. Bush, has issued some rulings
on the high court that make many conservatives cringe.
Regardless, senators can expect a summer full of activist-filled lobbies, protests and threats against
their political futures as they weigh their votes for or against the next justice of the Supreme Court.
"I've set angels in every corner and established every border of your field. Listen for the wind over your field and look for a new yield. I am setting My order for you and calling you to understand the way I move in order. I am calling you into a first alignment for the days ahead.
hits you.
