Quote (IceMage @ 27 Sep 2018 12:36)
I'm not so sure we should bank on Barrett being Trump's next pick if Kavanaugh withdraws.
Sure, she would probably be the favorite in that she's the ideal counter to to the sexual misconduct allegations, but apparently she performed poorly in her one-on-one interview with Trump, and he wanted to pick someone that went to an Ivy league law school.
Of course, that political calculus could all change if Kavanaugh withdraws. And it was reported that Trump had been intrigued by the optics of picking Barrett. But I think Hardiman and Kethledge should be in the conversation. And apparently McConnell has been rallying for Amul Thapar, so I wouldn't rule him out.
Barrett isn't without questions, either. She could be a harder sell for Collins and Murkowski, and the GOP can't accept any risks with their theoretical next pick.