Newswise — EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University Professor Laurel Harbridge-Young doubts that any Republicans will defect over the allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh by Christine Blasey Ford. Professor Alvin Tillery says that a repeat of the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings with Anita Hill could put their Senate majority at risk and further reduce their appeal among millennial voters. Both political scientists are available for comment.
Harbridge-Yong is an associate professor of political science at Northwestern and a faculty fellow at the University’s Institute for Policy Research. Her teaching and research focuses on partisan conflict and the lack of bipartisan agreement in American politics. She can be reached at [email protected].
Quote from Professor Harbridge-Yong
“While sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh may make Republicans worried about the party brand, or female Republicans oppose his confirmation, increasingly loyalty to party combined with Republican voters’ attention to the Supreme Court make it unlikely any Senate Republicans will defect.”
Tillery is an associate professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern. His research and teaching interests are in the fields of American politics and political theory. His research in American politics focuses on American political development, racial and ethnic politics and media and politics. He can be reached at (mobile) 574-514-5758 or [email protected].
Quote from Professor Tillery
“The way that the Republicans in the Senate handle the sexual misconduct allegations made by Professor Christine Blasey Ford against Judge Kavanaugh have the potential to reshape the party's electoral fortunes for decades. College-educated white women were the key swing demographic that delivered the White House for Mr. Trump in 2016. A repeat of the horribly combative approach that Republicans like Orrin Hatch took toward Professor Anita Hill during the confirmation hearings for Justice Clarence Thomas could actually risk put their Senate majority at risk and further reduce their appeal among millennial voters.”
RSS