In addition to citing his credentials, some liberals have promoted Kavanaugh based on his personal kindness and intelligence. Yet even nice and smart people can have values that are radically out of step with the American public. Yes, Kavanaugh has mentored female lawyers and hired a diverse range of clerks, but it is a sad commentary on this president’s record of nominating shockingly unqualified candidates for office and what we have come to expect of men (and Republican men particularly) that these are seen as standout virtues. We are glad if Kavanaugh has not been discriminatory in his hiring practices. What his rulings would do to women’s rights and to security and opportunity for people of color and immigrants is much more important.