Democrats believe that their smear campaign against Judge Kavanaugh has succeeded in planting doubts in the minds of Americans, and that this will help them pick up enough Senate seats to win a majority in November. Republicans are privately debating whether to avoid discussing Kavanaugh as they campaign, for fear that women will vote against anyone who defends Kavanaugh. However, making Kavanaugh the centerpiece of the campaign could highlight the differences between the two parties on key national issues.

Will campaigning as supporters of Kavanaugh help the GOP to hold and even expand its Senate majority?