Democrats hope Biden's Supreme Court pick resonates in midterms as GOP eyes majority
Senate Democrats appointing the first Black woman on the court could ignite the progressive base and donors, but experts warn it's not enough.
- Democrats are given the chance to confirm the nation's first Black woman to the high court.
- A new justice would give Democrats a win before the midterms, which tend not to favor the party in power.
- Some experts say Democrats will need to do more to energize voters.
The retirement of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer delivered Democrats a glimmer of hope for their prospects in the 2022 midterm elections, when potential Republican victories could threaten Democratic majorities in Congress.
With President Joe Biden's agenda stalled and his approval numbers plummeting even among Democrats amid rising inflation, political observers have predicted the possibility of a Republican wave in November.
But with Breyer's retirement, Democrats in Congress are given the chance to confirm the nation's first Black woman to the high court before voters head to the polls. It has some liberals feeling optimistic that approving Biden's eventual nominee will boost the Democratic base and its donors.
It's not, however, expected to change much of the national reality for Biden and the Democrats, who have seen dozens of House retirements while midterms typically do not favor the party in power.