Supreme Court moves right, but how far, how fast?

WASHINGTON (AP) — The moment that conservatives have dreamed about for decades has arrived with Brett Kavanaugh joining the Supreme Court.

But with it comes the shadow of a bitter confirmation fight that’s likely to hang over the court as it takes on divisive issues, especially those dealing with politics and women’s rights.

With Kavanaugh taking the place of the more moderate Anthony Kennedy, conservatives should have a working majority of five justices to restrict abortion rights, limit the use of race in college admissions and rein in federal regulators.

Yet Kavanaugh may have a hard time putting behind him the tumultuous confirmation process, which ended with the Senate voting 50-48 to confirm him Saturday. That was the narrowest margin of victory for a Supreme Court nominee in 137 years.