Jackson confirmation furthers GOP's tough-on-crime narrative ahead of midterms
CBSN
Washington — As Republicans work to regain their majorities in the House and the Senate in November's midterm elections, the recent confirmation process for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court provided an opportunity for them to capitalize on concerns about rising crime and attempt to convince voters that the GOP is the party best equipped to tackle the issue.
The focus by GOP senators on sentences Jackson imposed on offenders in child pornography cases while she was a federal district court judge in Washington failed to thwart her historic confirmation to the high court. But her sentencing record became fodder for Republicans in their broader efforts to paint President Biden and Democrats as soft on crime.
"If Republicans can effectively paint their opponents as soft on crime, that will be very damaging in an environment where crime is on the rise," Alex Conant, a GOP strategist who worked on presidential and Senate campaigns, told CBS News. "Republicans have been on the retreat in cities and suburbs in recent years, and this is a way for them to get back on offense."
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