It’s only been a few days since Mitch McConnell announced his strategy for his vulnerable Senate incumbents to separate themselves from the mess that is currently the Republican Party, but so far things are not going to plan. Here’s a look at what Senators Pat Toomey, Rob Portman, Ron Johnson, John McCain, Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Grassley faced upon returning to their home states after doubling down against a hearing and vote on the Supreme Court nominee:
Associated Press: Rallies Urge GOP Senators to Back Supreme Court Vote
Washington Post: With chants of ‘do your job,’ protesters take aim at GOP Supreme Court blockade
LA Times: Supreme Court battle follows Republican senators to their home states
Reuters: Liberal groups stage rallies to back Obama’s Supreme Court pick
Associated Press: Back in Pa., Toomey gets hit over Trump, Obama nominee
The Daily Collegian: Senator Toomey’s arrival to Penn State met with local protestors
Allentown Morning Call: Activists target Pat Toomey over opposition to Supreme Court nominee
WKYC: Ohio Senate race heats up over Supreme Court nominee
Cleveland.com: Fight for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland takes flight over Cleveland
WSYX: Protesters want Portman to vote on Supreme Court pick
Associated Press: Dozens of people are urging urge U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson to support confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Liberal activists pressure Ron Johnson, GOP to act on Merrick Garland
Wisconsin Gazette: Progressive coalition to Senate: Do Your Job
WDJT: Demonstrators Gather at City Hall to Demand Sen. Johnson Give Hearing for Supreme Court Nominee
Arizona Republic: Constituents urge McCain to reconsider Supreme Court nominee
Seacoast Online: Protesters to Ayotte: Do your job on Supreme Court nominee
Radio Iowa: Protesters and plan fly-over urge Grassley: ‘Do Your Job’
CBS Local: Protests Outside Senator Toomey’s Philadelphia Office
Meanwhile, yet another poll finds that the majority of Americans want the Senate to hold hearings on the nominee, and aren’t buying Republican spin on their obstruction:
Monmouth: National: Senate Should Consider SCOTUS Pick
- 69% of voters, including 66% of independents, think the Senate should hold hearings on Judge Garland
- 77% of voters, including 80% of independents, say Republicans are playing politics with their obstruction and don’t actually care about giving American people a voice
“It might be time for Mitch McConnell to come up with a new plan to try to protect his vulnerable incumbents, because his current one certainly isn’t working,” said Lauren Passalacqua, DSCC National Press Secretary. “As long as vulnerable Senators align themselves with Donald Trump and adhere to their party’s constitutional obstruction, they won’t be able to ‘message’ a way out of the increasingly toxic Republican brand, and that is going to be a big problem in November.”
