"The girls on the team call me Coach K." Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump's nominee to sit on the highest court, hit the ground running at his nomination ceremony with a charm offensive, as he embarks on what is destined to be one of the fiercest confirmation fights in recent history. "The president introduced me tonight as Judge Kavanaugh but, to me, that title will always belong to my mom." In the East Room of the White House, Kavanaugh - a longtime Washington insider and conservative stalwart - showed his political prowess, talking up his parents and his kids. "I have two spirited daughters.

Margaret loves sports and she loves to read.

Liza loves sports and she loves to talk (high five)." President Trump on Tuesday touted Kavanaugh as a very well-liked jurist. "Brett Kavanaugh has gotten rave reviews...rave reviews...actually from both sides.

And I think it's going to be a beautiful thing to watch over the next month.

But he has gotten rave reviews." Kavanaugh's nomination sets the stage for a political brawl that could consume the weeks before the congressional elections in November. The vote on whether to confirm Kavanaugh could be a career-defining moment for senators, particularly for moderate Democrats in red states.

And puts moderate Republican senators like Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in a tough spot. Kavanaugh began meeting with senators on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, starting with a friendly sit-down with top Republican Mitch McConnell.