, Columnist
Why the Democrats’ Campaign Against Barrett Fell Flat
The new justice should send her first thank-you note to Dianne Feinstein (and not because of that hug).
After Barrett’s swearing-in on Monday night.
Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
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Four of the last 14 vacancies on the Supreme Court arose when different parties controlled the White House and a majority in the Senate. In those cases, the president’s initial nominee didn’t make it through half the time. When the president and the Senate were allied, on the other hand, 9 of 10 initial nominees were confirmed.
That’s the simplest explanation for why Judge Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court: Republicans had the votes. What the balance of power didn’t explain was rising public support for Barrett.