Both Republicans and Democrats face an unsettled situation in the House, where neither party is sure of its leadership and no one knows who will be in control.
The Supreme Court votes by a handful of Senate Democrats from Republican states could have broad ramifications for their party, its leadership and its core voters.
Senator Mitch McConnell argued that Judges Raymond M. Kethledge and Thomas M. Hardiman presented the fewest obvious obstacles to being confirmed, according to Republican officials.
The president, at a rally for the state’s Republican Senate candidate, revived his “Pocahontas” attack on Senator Elizabeth Warren and said that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia is “fine.”
At a minimum, Judge Kavanaugh’s views about when to impeach a president are sure to come up in a confirmation hearing and would allow a light to be shined on Mr. Trump’s handling of the Russia investigation.
Mr. Shine, who was forced out at the network over his handling of sexual harassment scandals, is expected to help revamp a team that has been the target of President Trump’s ire.