Dems play the waiting game with Collins and Murkowski

The Red Senate Democrats, who have so far held the demarcation line against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, should wait for centrist Republican critics. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret Collins Crowdfunding campaign raises $ 3 million appeal for Collins to vote against Kavanaugh Students march in front of Collins Maine office to protest Kavanaugh's confirmation (Maine) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann Murkowski Students march in front of Collins Maine office to protest Kavanaugh's confirmation Democrats crush "high places" with Kavanaugh's letter (Alaska) before announcing their own positions.

No democrat has yet shown his support for Kavanaugh, more than a week after the close of his confirmation hearings. Last year, Democratic Sens. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinHealth Heals Major Concern Prior to Mid-Term Exams, Says Left Sounder May React to Kavanaugh's Election Countdown: What to Watch for in the Last Primary | Dems Launch M ad buy for Senate Races | Senate seats are most likely to tip | Trump Slump worries GOP | The new super PAC of the Koch PLUS network (W.Va.) and Heidi HeitkampMary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampHealth: Labor rules are set to reduce Medicaid rolls | Health groups pursue non-ObamaCare plans | One study reveals that opioid abuse has only dropped slightly in 2017 Cramer's new announcement repels attacks on health care (N.D.) announced their support for President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump stands next to the tweets challenging the death toll of Puerto Rico: "NO WAY" Trump pushes back the ex book of a lawyer, quotes the "solicitor-client privilege"The first Supreme Court candidate, Neil Gorsuch, a week after the end of his hearings.

The strategy of the Democratic leaders is to keep up the pressure on Collins and Murkowski by not letting any of their caucus members leave and support Kavanaugh before the candidate is assured of enough votes for the GOP.

Democrats hope that the Republicans swing could be influenced by a new anonymous allegation of sexual misconduct on the part of Kavanaugh high school students. Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel Feinstein Democrats crushed the letter Kavanaugh against Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh denies any allegation of sexual misconduct. The Hill & # 39; s Morning Report – Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance (Calif.), The Democratic Committee on the Judiciary, referred to federal authorities.

Collins had an hour-long phone conversation with Kavanaugh on Friday, but it was expected before Feinstein announced the allegation.

The two moderates of the GOP have split with their lecture on key laws in the past, including the votes for abortion rights and ObamaCare, issues that advocates point out might come ahead of Kavanaugh on the high court.

Any democrats ahead of Collins or Murkowski will be attacked by the party base. Centrist Democrats have been criticized for remaining neutral.

"It's not a feat for the Democrats to have so far avoided supporting Brett Kavanaugh. It would be a feat if they opposed him, "said Brian Fallon, executive director of Demand Justice, a group opposed to the candidate.

Last year, Collins announced his support for Gorsuch on March 28, two days before Manchin declared himself in favor, followed by Heitkamp and later by the Democratic senator. Joe DonnellyJoseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyPolls shows tight races in the Senate in North Dakota and Indiana Left is at risk of negative reactions in the fight against Kavanaugh Election Countdown: What to look for in the last primary | Dems Launch M ad buy for Senate Races | Senate seats are most likely to tip | Trump Slump worries GOP | The new super PAC of the Koch PLUS network (Indiana.). Manchin, Heitkamp and Donnelly all face this year's tough elections in the states won by President Trump in 2016.

Murkowski congratulated Gorsuch in glowing terms and said that she would support him well before his confirmation hearing.

Manchin says he's waiting for a second meeting with Kavanaugh before deciding on how to vote, and Heitkamp and Donnelly say they're still making up their minds.

"I followed closely Justice Kavanaugh's hearing before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, who answered some questions and also raised others." I continue to review his available record, review additional documents that continue to be published and discuss with the North Dakotans as I continue my assessment process, "Heitkamp said in a statement.

Sen. Jon testerJonathan (Jon) TesterWatchdog groups will file suit against Montana candidate, alleging coordination with NRA Booker: I am not in Spartacus rankings: 10 seats most likely to return MORE (D-Mont.), Who is also facing an election in Trump's double-digit state, said he was waiting to meet Kavanaugh in person before announcing his vote.

"We do not have our own person yet. We are still trying to make it happen and I will make a decision after that, "Tester said Thursday.

Sen. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillMake Coping With Sexual Abuse Policy On Campus Shake Congress Hillicon Valley: North Korean IT Firm Strikes Sanctions | Zuckerberg says Facebook is better prepared for midterms | Great victory for Europe's privacy activists | Bezos launches B fund to help children and the homeless Poll: Democrat McCaskill leads Republican Hawley by 3 points in the Missouri Senate race (D-Mo.) Stayed in Washington one more day after the Senate adjournment on Wednesday night to review Kavanaugh's "confidential committee documents" that were not made public.

She has not made a decision either.

Republicans control 51 seats in the Senate and would have enough votes to confirm Kavanaugh without the support of Democrats, as long as there are not more than one member of their conference faults. Vice President Pence would break a 50-50 tie.

Centrist Democrats shared the frustrations expressed by Liberal colleagues on the committee, who complained that much of Kavanaugh's record of George W. Bush's presidency was unjustly shielded from public scrutiny.

Hundreds of thousands of registration pages were deemed confidential by the committee before the start of the hearing, and other documents of his day, as secretary of the White House staff, were never handed to the panel.

But aside from the bickering over procedural issues, a senior Democratic adviser admitted last week that Democrats on the panel "did not glove" Kavanaugh during the hearings.

Like Gorsuch before him, Kavanaugh refused to reveal his point of view on current issues such as the right to abortion, recognizing only that Roe v. Wade, the case of historic abortion rights, is an "important precedent".

Asked on Thursday what was the biggest hit Democrat was able to score Kavanaugh in the audience, Sen. Sheldon WhitehouseSheldon WhitehouseOvernight Energy: Warren's bill would force companies to reveal climate impacts | Green group supports Gillum in Florida The federal government wants to take refuge near the former nuclear site Warren wants companies to disclose more information on the impacts of climate change Republicans block Democratic submission to documents Kavanaugh PLUS assignment (D-R.I.), A panelist who was one of the most effective interrogators, shrugged and refused to answer.

Instead, he focused on the committee process, calling it an "unprecedented series of demolitions of the rules and traditions of the Senate."

"We had real problems getting real answers to the questions and we were denied the documents that were traditionally available," he said.