Why it matters: Republicans involved in the process worry that the accuser, a college professor, will connect with the voters already most animated against them.

And while Republicans involved in Kavanaugh’s confirmation tell Axios that the elderly male Republican senators are approaching this gingerly, there’s nervousness in the sources’ voices because there’s so much room for error.

Be smart: A former administration official said Republicans are “walking the tightrope of making sure not to piss off women for the midterms yet not alienating the base by ditching Kavanaugh.”

And one top Republican texted: “Most Republicans know the party has already lost college women, alienated by Trump’s style and behavior. Cannot lose them twice.”