Thread by @JenniferJJacobs

Democrats are framing the fight over Kavanaugh as about protecting civil rights and abortion access, and preventing the Supreme Court from tilting toward corporations over the public.

@LauraLitvan

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

WH is deploying Pence to promote Kavanaugh, with TV and radio in red states with D senators, plus outreach with Trump allies.

Pence will accompany Kavanaugh to Hill today, do lunch w GOP senators, and do 2 national TV interviews and Rush Limbaugh radio.

bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

Tic toc on Trump’s Kavanaugh pick:
—On Friday, asked 4 finalists -- Kavanaugh, Kethledge, Barrett, Hardiman -- to write speeches for Monday night, submit names of people they'd like to have attend, share background info.
—Trump told Kavanaugh Sunday night. Informed McGahn, Pence.

—Pence met with Kethledge and Barrett on July 3 in Indiana.
VP met with Kavanaugh on Fourth of July in DC at VP’s residence.
—Aides said what tipped balance to Kavanaugh was his “clear and lengthy" record. Trump embraced what McConnell had warned him about—the long record.

—When marshals fetched Kavanaugh from the courthouse to bring him to White House, Trump aides were tense, worried the secret would leak out. The 4 SUVs were indeed spotted, but Kavanaugh came in through the WH back doors when no members of the press corps had access to the area.

—Trump asked his 4 finalists who they’d recommend if they weren’t selected. (It was a repeat technique from his Gorsuch process.) Trump found their answers telling, but not all named Kavanaugh.
—Kethledge was nixed partly because of past rulings immigration hardliners disliked.

—In private conversations, Trump repeatedly praised Hardiman, who was twice considered and twice rejected.
—Trump would view Barrett as a lead contender if he has the opportunity to select a third Supreme Court nominee, aides told me.