Kavanaugh preparing for protesters at his hearings during mock drills: report

Judge Brett Kavanaugh is reportedly participating in a series of rigorous mock hearings that feature protesters as he prepares for his confirmation hearing to the Supreme Court next week. 

Politico reported that the mock sessions have featured aides role-playing key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including mimicking their style of questioning. The mock hearing room is also meant to resemble the actual Senate hearing, with dais, microphones and a clock timing his responses.

They have even featured fake protesters to ensure Kavanaugh does not lose his cool should there by an outburst in the middle of the session, according to Politico.

Kavanaugh, who worked in the George W. Bush administration and helped write the Starr report on former President Clinton, is facing what is likely to be a contentious confirmation hearing, as multiple Democrats have already said they would not support his ascension to the Supreme Court. 

{mosads} Kavanaugh, who serves as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, has reached out the network he’s amassed over his career for help with the mock hearings, Politico also reported. 

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) have all pitched in to help Kavanaugh. The White House is also setting up two war rooms, one near where the committee will hold the hearing and another in Vice President Pence’s Senate office. 

Opening statements in his confirmation hearing will begin Tuesday, after which Kavanaugh will undergo two full days of questioning. A panel of outside witnesses will then testify about the nominee on Friday.

Republicans have nearly no margin for error, holding a 50-49 majority in the Senate. If no Democrats vote for Kavanaugh, any one Republican could sink the nomination. 

However, ten Senate Democrats are up for reelection this year in states Trump won, and some could vote to confirm Kavanaugh. Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) all voted to confirm Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s last Supreme Court nominee.