Bret Baier: COVID-19 has 'changed the dynamic' of presidential race, Supreme Court battle
Confirmation hearing, second Trump-Biden debate could still take place this month
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}With President Trump and two GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee testing positive for coronavirus, the pandemic has cast a shadow over the election and the political battle over the Supreme Court, "Special Report" anchor Bret Baier told "Hannity" Friday.
Sens. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, confirmed Friday that they had tested positive for COVID-19. That prompted Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to demand the postponement of Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearing.
However, Baier noted, Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have shown no inclination to move off their timeline.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"If the full recovery happens and they have the negative tests, they could start the hearings [Oct. 12]," Baier told host Sean Hannity. "You also don’t need a quorum to start [hearings]. They would need to be there to vote. So they could attend remotely.
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"But the fact that that is even factoring in shows you how much COVID-19 is a part of this election and has changed the dynamic," Baier added.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In Trump's case, the effects of the virus will be felt immediately.
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"The president obviously will be off the trail," Baier said. "That’s a tough thing for the Trump campaign. But they have surrogates."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, the Fox News chief political anchor added, Trump could still recover in time to take part in the second presidential debate, scheduled for Oct. 15 in Miami.