- The Washington Times - Sunday, October 14, 2018

Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley said Sunday that Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation has been “hugely motivating” to voters upset by the “smear campaign” and “mob behavior.”

“I do think the debacle with Justice Kavanaugh, what the Senate Democrats did in that case, is hugely motivating to Missouri voters,” Mr. Hawley said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Mr. Hawley, a Republican in a tight race to unseat Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill, said voters were stunned by the hearings late last month featuring Christine Blasey Ford, who accused the then-nominee of sexually assaulting her when they were in high school, which he has denied.

“They cannot believe the conduct of these Senate Democrats, they cannot believe this smear campaign that they launched, and by the way, how they dragged Doctor Ford through the mud as well,” said Mr. Hawley. “Now this mob behavior that we’re seeing all over the country. It is motivating folks.”

The U.S. Senate contest in Missouri is seen as emblematic of many close Senate races, with the Republican candidate decrying the Kavanaugh confirmation process and Democrats accusing Republicans of wanting to eliminate mandatory coverage for preexisting conditions.

Mr. Hawley said he would vote to repeal and replace Obamacare, but also would mandate coverage for those with preexisting conditions, adding that one of his sons has a medical condition.

“There are a number of ways to do it, to protect folks with preexisting conditions,” said Mr. Hawley. “Congress should mandate it. My position is insurance companies should be required by law to protect folks with preexisting conditions.”

The latest polls show the Missouri Senate race deadlocked, with Mr. Hawley leading by less than 1 percent in the Real Clear Politics polling average.

• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.

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