# Can Democrats actually stop the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 4, 2018, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733 "2018-09-04T12:49:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 134
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2661 "2018-09-23T10:17:54Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Dude, she could have sexually serviced every schoolboy in the county and their Dads and it still would not excuse what she claims. > > Her allegations are dubious on their own merits, no need to add speculation. > [@AK84](#): > > Her allegations are dubious on their own merits, no need to add speculation. I’m not so much questioning her allegations regarding Cavanaugh’s behavior as I’ve been questioning the supposed surprise, shock and trauma that she alleges to have experienced as a result. The purpose of that, of course, is ultimately to call into question the veracity of her entire account. And now having said that, aren’t we all speculating? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2662 "2018-09-23T10:32:51Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I would have no trouble endorsing Kavanaugh or anyone else who misbehaved as a juvenile of 17, but has led an exemplary life since, for anything. > > I should add that I’m not convinced Kavanaugh is guilty, but in lieu of the way he’s lived his life since, I’d have no problem with it if he were. > . lying to Congress doesn’t count? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2663 "2018-09-23T11:38:46Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It’s the job of the victim to provide evidence. Otherwise there is no case. No evidence, no case. Currently there is zero evidence provided by Ford who made the charge. That’s slander. LOL. Professionals in law enforcement regularly investigate cases with even less evidence (a single statement with no supporting evidence like therapy notes) than this one. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2664 "2018-09-23T12:11:34Z")
He was a college frat boy. Frat parties are mainly an excuse to try to have sex with girls, whether they are sober or not. He just started early in high school. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2665 "2018-09-23T12:26:28Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Is my opinion truly disgusting, or do you perhaps have a bias which leads you to an interpretation of it that you find disgusting? > > Here, I’ll spell it out: In the event Ford is telling the truth, I do not believe she asked for it. > > I do, however, question her sobriety (and therefore her memory). And in light of the goings-on within her social circle, I question the validity of her alleged trauma, especially since it seems only to have been realized years after the fact: > > [Cite](https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/california-professor-writer-of-confidential-brett-kavanaugh-letter-speaks-out-about-her-allegation-of-sexual-assault/2018/09/16/46982194-b846-11e8-94eb-3bd52dfe917b_story.html?utm_term=.bd0032319001) Questioning the validity of women’s traumas at the hands of men, such a time-honored activity. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2666 "2018-09-23T12:43:39Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > LOL. Professionals in law enforcement regularly investigate cases with even less evidence (a single statement with no supporting evidence like therapy notes) than this one. I would like to see some cites for that. I cannot think of any law enforcement that would start an investigation in the present circumstances, let alone one with less evidence. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2667 "2018-09-23T12:55:05Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I would like to see some cites for that. I cannot think of any law enforcement that would start an investigation in the present circumstances, let alone one with less evidence. That’s not what I was saying. Here’s the post I was responding to: > [@Magiver](#): > > It’s the job of the victim to provide evidence. Otherwise there is no case. No evidence, no case. Currently there is zero evidence provided by Ford who made the charge. That’s slander. > > It’s the job of the judiciary committee to investigate what anything brought to them. Which wasn’t done. Deliberately. That’s an utterly ridiculous assertion. It’s not the “job” of the victim to provide evidence – law enforcement very often proceeds with only the victim’s statement (and further, that statement is a piece of evidence). It’s the “job” of the investigators to find evidence. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2668 "2018-09-23T13:10:27Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > [Cite](http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/content.asp?Bnum=565). > > Regards, > Shodan This is the best post in this thread. Spot on. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2669 "2018-09-23T13:52:50Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I would like to see some cites for that. I cannot think of any law enforcement that would start an investigation in the present circumstances, let alone one with less evidence. You live in a fucked up country. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2670 "2018-09-23T14:18:16Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …concession accepted. > > Anyone else want to have a go at answering my questions? Nah. You know the old saying: You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him read his own cite. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2671 "2018-09-23T14:33:54Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …Anyone else want to have a go at answering my questions? Sure, but I expect nothing but more CRIMESTOP from you: > [@](#): > > … a woman, Leland Ingham Keyser, a former classmate of Ford’s at the Holton-Arms all-girls school in Maryland, has since been **identified by Ford as a witness at the party**. In a dramatic twist, Keyser emerged Saturday night to say she doesn’t know Kavanaugh or remember being at the party with him. > > “Simply put, Ms. Keyser does not know Mr. Kavanaugh and she has no recollection of ever being at a party or gathering where he was present, with, or without, Dr. Ford,” Keyser’s lawyer, Howard J. Walsh III, said in an email to the Senate Judiciary Committee that was obtained by Fox News. > > Ford, The Post acknowledged in an article by reporter Emma Brown on Saturday, had told the paper prior to her name becoming public that “she did not think Keyser would remember the party because nothing remarkable had happened there, as far as Keyser was aware.” [source](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/23/kavanaugh-accusers-details-have-changed-but-remains-certain-about-abuse.html) (emphasis mine) ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2672 "2018-09-23T14:48:17Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > so that’s who you want on the Supreme Court? Someone with a history of excessive drinking, excessive partying, and believable groping accusations? Yes, they do. that is the point. They all have their “youthful indiscretions” of sexual assault, and they want someone one the supreme court who will be sympathetic to that. You can debate the merits of the accusation, but there have been several posters here who have said that even if the allegations are 100% true, that he should still be seated. They don’t care about sexual assault, and consider it to be just something that boys do. They are far, far more worried that the guy who committed sexual assault faces no consequences, than the victim of the sexual assault. In fact, they will attack the reputation of the victim of sexual assault in order to protect the guy. Getting Kavanaugh on the bench right now is a massive blow to women’s rights, and that is exactly why they support him. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2673 "2018-09-23T14:48:24Z")
barring a surprise last minute witness or more information he will be confirmed. It could lead to the loss of more seats this fall but the GOP probably figures it’s better to have him on the court for 30 years. Election losses can be reversed. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2674 "2018-09-23T14:53:06Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > You live in a fucked up country. Yeah, I know. Then again at least we did not elect Donald-fucking-Trump.:rolleyes: Tell me, what is your experience with criminal law, procedure and investigation? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2675 "2018-09-23T14:59:40Z")
Proud moments abound. > [@](#): > > …Seeking to put more pressure on former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr brought her mother, Marcia Lewis, before a grand jury Tuesday… > **[LEWINSKY’S MOTHER TESTIFIES](https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/02/11/lewinskys-mother-testifies/)** > > Seeking to put more pressure on former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr brought her mother, Marcia Lewis, before a grand jury Tuesday. Lewis made her… > [@](#): > > …KAVANAUGH: And maybe I’m an optimist. But one day, I, for myself, hope to be able to call him Mr. Justice Starr… > **[Brett Kavanaugh's Role In the Starr Investigation And How It Shaped Him](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/17/639670928/brett-kavanaughs-role-in-the-starr-investigation-and-how-it-shaped-him)** > > In the 1990s, Trump Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was part of the team investigating President Clinton as part of special prosecutor Ken Starr's investigation. How did that experience shape his view of whether and how a president should be... Question suggestions from Mr Kavanaugh, minion, to his boss, Ken Starr… > [@](#): > > …If Monica Lewinsky says that you inserted a cigar into her vagina while you were in the Oval Office area, would she be lying? > > If Monica Lewinsky says that you ejaculated into her mouth on two occasions in the Oval Office area, would she be lying?.. Proud moments, to be sure… Covered himself in glory, he did. > [@](#): > > …But shortly after the Senate report was released, Mr. Kavanaugh convinced Mr. Starr to reopen what he called a “full-fledged” investigation of the Foster matter, telling his colleagues, as justification, that “we have received allegations that Mr. Foster’s death related to President and Mrs. Clinton’s involvement” in Whitewater and other alleged scandals. > > Who were these unnamed, presumably reliable sources on whose word the case should be reopened? Mr. Kavanaugh’s files in the National Archives make clear that they were some of the most ludicrous hard-right conspiracy-mongers of the time. > > One was Reed Irvine, a self-appointed debunker of the “fake news” of mainstream media. Another was Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, an English author of a book entitled “The Secret Life of Bill Clinton” that posited that the Oklahoma City bombing was an F.B.I. plot gone awry. A third was Christopher Ruddy, today the chief executive of Newsmax and confidant of President Trump, but at the time on the payroll of the right-wing tycoon Richard Mellon Scaife to promote conspiracies. > > As inventive as they were vindictive, these partisans concocted all sorts of wild theories to explain why Mr. Foster could not have killed himself. According to one of Mr. Kavanaugh’s sources, Mr. Foster had been working for the National Security Agency and was being blackmailed by the Israelis over a secret Swiss bank account. Carpet fibers had been found on Mr. Foster’s clothing, which was proof positive that he was murdered, his body wrapped in a carpet and then dumped. Another charged that “long blond hairs” on Mr. Foster’s clothing pointed to a cover-up… > **[Opinion | Why Was Kavanaugh Obsessed With Vince Foster? (Published 2018)](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/why-was-kavanaugh-obsessed-with-vince-foster.html)** > > He needs to explain why he followed right-wing conspiracy theories about the White House aide’s suicide. > [@](#): > > …Kavanaugh also argued in favor of investigating the suicide of Vince Foster, the White House deputy counsel, even though two prior investigations had already concluded that his death was a suicide. > > “We are currently investigating Vincent Foster’s death to determine, among other things, whether he was murdered in violation of federal criminal law,” Kavanaugh wrote, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Post. “\*t necessarily follows that we must have the authority to fully investigate Foster’s death.” > > Kavanaugh concluded that the death was, in fact, a suicide. But during his investigation, he even argued — in his only turn before the Supreme Court – that notes Foster’s lawyer made were no longer covered by attorney-client privilege because Foster was dead. The court disagreed by a 6-3 margin… > (emphasis added) > **[Brett Kavanaugh Investigated A President, Then Voiced Concerns About Doing...](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/18/639653174/brett-kavanaugh-investigated-a-president-then-voiced-concerns-about-doing-just-t)** > > The Trump Supreme Court pick wanted prosecutors to ask President Bill Clinton explicit questions and wrote the section of the independent counsel's report to Congress making the case for impeachment. It is a testament to the Republican Party’s modesty and restraint that they refrain from trumpeting these wonders in American jurisprudence. Must have been difficult to restrain themselves, having so much…so \*very \*much!.. to be proud of! ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2676 "2018-09-23T15:18:12Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > (despite the fact she bravely held her head high, wore white and carried red roses at her high school graduation, thereby professing the fact, presumedly, that she still qualified as virginal despite the groping she allegedly suffered two or three years before). What the actual fuck? Your whole post was pretty disgusting, but this takes the biscuit. What on earth does an attempted rape have to do with virginity? Either the alleged attack happened, in which case it has no bearing on it, or it didn’t, which also has no effect on it. Also, who cares? The age at which she lost her virginity is irrelevant to anything, and it’s with good reason that no investiagtion would be allowed to consider it. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2677 "2018-09-23T15:41:12Z")
That’s not even the worst of it. _Maybe_ under some anachronistic moral code, if you willingly have sex then you cannot wear white with roses. But it’s pretty fucking horrible to say that you don’t deserve to have choices due to something out of your control. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2678 "2018-09-23T16:03:24Z")
This is probably why Grassley wants an “independent” person to ask the committee’s questions. So that they can be edited in advance. So that Dr Ford doesn’t have some Republican Senator asking just how long has she been a total slut. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2679 "2018-09-23T16:14:14Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Sure, but I expect nothing but more CRIMESTOP from you: > > [source](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/09/23/kavanaugh-accusers-details-have-changed-but-remains-certain-about-abuse.html) > > (emphasis mine) This is a FOX News cite, just to clarify. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2680 "2018-09-23T16:19:01Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > That’s an utterly ridiculous assertion. It’s not the “job” of the victim to provide evidence – law enforcement very often proceeds with only the victim’s statement (and further, that statement is a piece of evidence). It’s the “job” of the investigators to find evidence. I know we keep going in circles on this, so I’ll try not to be repetitive. Imagine you are the Montgomery County, MD Sheriff and Ford comes into your office and tells you her story. The four witnesses that she claims were at the party: Kavanaugh, Judge, Smyth and now Meyer have written you a letter all denying that they were at such a party and/or do not recall such a party occurring. What do you do? You can fan your deputies out to interview those people, browbeat them into confessing that there really was such a party and that they remember something from 36 years ago and further interview everyone who attended any high school in the area, and let’s further say that you hit on your inside straight draw and you find evidence that there really was such a party. All you now have is the equivalent of Anita Hill working at the same place that Clarence Thomas worked. You have no evidence that the assault happened, again except for Ford’s word. The only people who could possibly provide solid evidence that what she said happened are Kavanaugh and Judge, both successful people who will have lawyers and will not be subject to coercion tactics to get them to confess like a guy you just caught selling a dime bag on a street corner. It will simply not happen. Plus, there are two rapes from last week that we need to investigate. You’re going to divert resources from investigations that may bear fruit on this snipe hunt? Okay, this is for all the marbles, the Supreme Court, so you need to investigate. Who is your audience? You have 46 Democratic senators who will not vote to confirm even if you interview Jesus Christ himself who declares Kavanaugh innocent. You have 48 Republican senators who will vote to confirm unless you find solid physical evidence (which, see above, will never be found) of his guilt. So basically your audience is six senators who have the power of the purse to conduct their own investigation. Let them do it if investigating this cold case is so important to them. Don’t waste your time. Is any of the above inaccurate? And further, as you know that there is very little likelihood of finding anything, isn’t your secret goal just to have Kavanaugh answer embarrassing questions about his juvenile sex life and drinking habits? How many girls did you sleep with in high school, when did you lose your virginity, did you have sex with girls when you were drunk, when they were drunk, you mentioned your dad as your hero did you brag to him about these girls, were you ever so drunk you didn’t remember having sex, etc. Did your wife know about all of this sex, did you ever get tested for AIDS, did you engage in anal sex a risky behavior that could lead to AIDS, did to tell your subsequent partners about your risky sexual behavior, would it be hypocritical of you to overrule Obergefell or Lawrence because you also engaged in illegal sex at the time, are you sure that nobody you had sex with got pregnant and had a abortion, if she did get pregnant do you think she should have had your permission before getting an abortion, etc. Again, I could add to the lengthy paragraph above. That is the true goal with any “investigation.” And no matter what he does, the optics will be criticized. If his daughters are in the hearing room, he will be asked how he could subject those young children to such testimony when he knew what he would be asked. If they are not in the room, he will be asked if he has something to hide from them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=133) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=135)