Amy Coney Barrett, the likely alternative.

If the Kavanaugh nomination fails, there is a good chance Trump will pick Amy Coney Barrett instead. If so, Barrett might wish to write a thank you note to Dianne Feinstein. Sen. Feinstein's ill-advised attack on Barrett during her circuit court confirmation hearing made the latter a heroine to conservatives and thereby catapulted her near the top of Trump's shortlist. And if Kavanaugh goes down due to the sexual assault accusation, Feinstein will have played a large role in that process, as well. Obviously, if Kavanaugh has to withdraw as a result of a #MeToo issue, that will make it more politically attractive for Trump to nominate a woman in his stead, which would further improve Barrett's odds.

If there is a deep, dark conspiracy at work here (as all too many people seem to think), it may be a plot by Feinstein and social conservatives to get Barrett appointed to the Supreme Court! Feinstein can reap political credit for defeating Kavanaugh, while the sociocons get a justice they prefer to the more conventional options Trump would otherwise have gone with.

NOTE: Since conspiracy theories are going around and being taken seriously, I should make clear that I am NOT actually claiming that the above conspiracy is real. But it is only slightly more ridiculous than some of the conspiracy scenarios that have gotten much more extensive attention.