CNN’s John King: Barrett ‘would be getting 70 votes or more’ in Senate if nominated by another GOP president

CNN anchor John King argued that Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, “would be getting 70 votes or more in the United States Senate” if nominated by “another Republican president in another age.”

The perspective came during a CNN panel discussion on Tuesday in which Barrett was largely praised for her performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee during confirmation hearings this week. CNN’s Dana Bash noted that it was “impressive to Republicans and Democrats” that Barrett didn’t have any notes in front of her, adding that the lack of notes illustrated Barrett’s confidence in her arguments and qualifications for the highest court in the land.

“Let’s be honest,” King responded. “Number one, if we could roll back the clock, we’re not so close to the election. Number two, if we could roll back even further to another Republican president in another age — I’ve been in Washington long enough — Judge Amy Coney Barrett would be getting 70 votes or more in the United States Senate.”

“No question,” Bash concurred.

“Because of her qualifications,” King noted.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has said the committee will move ahead with a vote on Barrett on Oct. 22, setting the stage for a Senate floor vote by the end of the month, just days before the presidential election.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Only two GOP senators, Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine), have voiced opposition to confirming Barrett before the election on Nov. 3.