Democrat Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia was considered a possible swing vote on Kavanaugh and that has held true. Manchin has announced his intention to vote for Kavanaugh.
According to Town Hall:
On Friday, shortly after Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) announced she would vote yes on the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.VA) announced he would also vote for Kavanaugh.
Manchin’s “yes” statement: pic.twitter.com/thpjGpJ2YQ
— Alex Leary (@learyreports) October 5, 2018
With Collins, Manchin and Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) voting for Kavanaugh, the vote looks as though it will be 51-49 for Kavanaugh, which means Vice President Mike Pence would not have to vote to break a tie.
Manchin was more than likely highly aware that sentiment in his home state of West Virginia is running strong to confirm Kavanaugh; a poll showed 62% of West Virginians wanted Kavanaugh confirmed to the Court. Another poll taken by the Senate Leadership Fund found Manchin’s lead over GOP candidate Patrick Morrissey had shrunk to just four points, and 60% of Republicans supporting Manchin were less likely to do so if he opposed Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
Manchin who is facing a contentious election in November in a state that Trump won overwhelmingly decided that this was the best approach for him to remain in the Senate presumably.
