* July 10th…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on Tuesday said he supports the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, a politically connected conservative judge, just as Democrats in Illinois and across the country sounded the alarm on potential rulings on abortion restrictions, gun rights and a roll back of Obamacare. […]
“I support the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh. I believe he is highly experienced, well-qualified for the position, and I hope that his nomination is voted on and approved expeditiously,” Rauner told reporters in Schaumburg after touring Amada America, Inc.
Rauner, too, accused Democrats of “trying to play politics with this issue.”
* Today…
Nearly all of the nation’s Republican governors have signed a letter backing Senate confirmation for President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
In a letter to Senate leaders, first obtained by the AP, GOP governors from 31 states and territories ask that senators move “expeditiously to confirm” Kavanaugh to the court.
They write: “Judge Kavanaugh’s impeccable credentials demonstrate he is worthy of this nomination.”
The letter is part of a coordinated campaign by the White House to build public support for Kavanaugh, in hopes of securing his confirmation in time for the beginning of the Supreme Court’s term this fall.
And yet, according to the AP, Gov. Rauner did not sign the letter.
Kinda odd. But it could be one more attempt at keeping his distance from POTUS. Having his cake and eating it too, perhaps?
…Adding… Tina Sfondeles…
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the letter on Tuesday afternoon.
*** UPDATE *** From Will Allison at the Rauner campaign…
Governor Rauner has supported Judge Kavanaugh as a nominee for the Supreme Court since he was announced earlier this month. The RGA is adding Governor Rauner’s signature to the letter
