# 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:** 137
**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, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2721 "2018-09-23T18:16:55Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Just imagine how you feel if / when Manchin / Heitkamp / Donnelly / other red-state Dems “exercise independent thought and judgement” and vote with the Republicans. Are you, typically, delighted by that? Do you find yourself hoping that it happens more often or less often? I’m all for bipartisanship, myself. If one of the democratic senators sides with the republicans on something, then it is up to their constituents to decide if that was a “betrayal of the party”, or acting responsibly. This idea that a senator has to toe the party line is a relatively new one, and it is one that is pushed by the conservatives. At this time, I disagree with the idea of democrats reaching across the aisle, as it does not seem as though they will be received in good faith, but if they feel as though doing so nets a positive, then I have no problem with that. But you don’t seem to think that bipartisanship is ever a good thing. You are indicating here, with your posts, that you expect all the party to vote in lockstep. That is fine, but if you are going to broadbrush your party as being monolithic, then don’t criticize others for pointing out that your party is monolithic. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2722 "2018-09-23T18:17:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Yes, the committee has the power to compel people to tell the truth to it. That should not be a problem for people \*willing \*to tell the truth, should it? It shouldn’t be. Wonder why Ms. Ford is having so much reluctance to testify before the committee? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2723 "2018-09-23T18:18:41Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Do you have a cite that she raised that issue for her unavailability? I was speaking generally, about having legit reasons to delay versus non-legit reasons. There are more reasons than just death threats. However, it’s also true: [https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/christine-blasey-ford-to-speak-with-fbi-about-death-threats](https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/christine-blasey-ford-to-speak-with-fbi-about-death-threats) ---
**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, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2724 "2018-09-23T18:18:48Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > As much as I dread watching the ugliness play out next week, I hope it’s a wake up call for anyone (especially women) still unsure that the GOP is rotten at its core. My only fear is that people who can’t see this already may never see it. > > The Republicans seem to be doing their very damn best to make it crystal clear, I’ll give them that, though. They will realize it when they discover that not only has rape been decriminalized, but that they are required to carry their rapist’s baby to term, and that they will be required to give their rapist parental rights. Boys will be boys, after all, and as demonstrated, not only is there no punishment, but also elevation to one of the most powerful people in the world, and this is perfectly okay with people who start by assuming the allegations are 100% true. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2725 "2018-09-23T18:26:45Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > The refusal to call Mark Judge along with McConnell and Hatch’s admissions that they will confirm regardless of what comes out tells you pretty much everything you need to know about this. > > The Republicans do not care to learn the truth, and as some have admitted it is because they don’t care if Kavanaugh tried to rape her. Of course they don’t; they never have. Did Republicans seem particularly concerned if they ever found Iraq’s alleged arsenal? ---
**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, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2726 "2018-09-23T18:32:19Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > If you have to ask, you are part of the problem. I don’t want to be part of the problem. Help a fellow poster out and explain why giving her carte blanche to testify is an example of the GOP being “rotten at its core.” ---
**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, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2727 "2018-09-23T18:32:35Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > … This idea that a senator has to toe the party line is a relatively new one, and it is one that is pushed by the conservatives. … Would you like me to dig up some examples of liberals insisting that senators tow the party line? > [@k9bfriender](#): > > … But you don’t seem to think that bipartisanship is ever a good thing. … Not at all. I think bipartisan support of Justice Kavanaugh would be a great thing. Likewise, I think bipartisan support of Trump’s immigration reforms would be good. etc. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > … You are indicating here, with your posts, that you expect all the party to vote in lockstep. That is fine… “expect”? No. “Hope” is the word I used. Just like many liberals “hope” that the moderate / red-state Dems will vote with the party against Kavanaugh, particularly if it were to be the difference between him being confirmed or not. ---
**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, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2728 "2018-09-23T18:34:32Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > They will realize it when they discover that not only has rape been decriminalized, but that they are required to carry their rapist’s baby to term, and that they will be required to give their rapist parental rights. Boys will be boys, after all, and as demonstrated, not only is there no punishment, but also elevation to one of the most powerful people in the world, and this is perfectly okay with people who start by assuming the allegations are 100% true. Explain this. We have wives, daughters, mothers, aunts, and other female relatives. You think we want them to be raped with impunity or no criminal penalties? Do you have a cite for anyone that has ever advocated legal rape? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2729 "2018-09-23T18:39:45Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > And again, even in a job interview, don’t we value fundamental fairness as Americans? Fairness in this process doesn’t exist anymore. What you get, what your side of the aisle DEMANDED be the limit of consideration is “Constitutional”. It’s laughable that you want people to be “fair” to your candidate. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2730 "2018-09-23T18:41:40Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I don’t want to be part of the problem. Help a fellow poster out and explain why giving her carte blanche to testify is an example of the GOP being “rotten at its core.” The POTUS—the top official of the Republican Party—tweets garbage like this: > [@](#): > > “I have no doubt that, if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says, charges would have been immediately filed with local Law Enforcement Authorities by either her or her loving parents. …but you want to act as if Republicans are saints for allowing Ford to speak on Thurs instead of Monday? Yes, you are part of the problem. Extrapolate Trump’s remarks to anyone who has waited years before reporting sexual assault and rape, and you’ll see that he’s insulting millions of victims. Including victims of pedophilic clergymen. All in the service of politics and self-interest. ---
**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, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2731 "2018-09-23T18:43:35Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > In my view, the Judiciary Committee is not an unbiased entity. I think the media is sensation-oriented but more importantly there is no penalty for lying to the media. And we have the precedent of the FBI doing an investigation into the Thomas/Hill affair. Which was a federal matter since it involved two federal employees in a federal entity. Not the case here. And the FBI cannot be given jurisdiction by the President, where they have none, contrary to what has been reported, all they can do is perform a background check, which they have done. Background checks don’t decide on guilt or innocence, they just get info and flag it. ---
**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, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2732 "2018-09-23T18:44:57Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Fairness in this process doesn’t exist anymore. What you get, what your side of the aisle DEMANDED be the limit of consideration is “Constitutional”. > > It’s laughable that you want people to be “fair” to your candidate. I’m glad that you admit that your proposal is to be unfair to Kavanaugh. I have said throughout this thread that the proposals are unfair. The GOP and Grassley should realize that these demands are simply to be unfair and should summarily reject them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2733 "2018-09-23T18:47:41Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Why? Do you prefer your Senators to be unwilling/unable to exercise independent thought and judgment? Or is that party affiliation really is everything to you? You know who’s a Senator capable of independent thought? Diane Feinstein. She chose NOT to bring this up during the hearings. This is a political stunt on her part and she should be censured for it. ---
**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, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2734 "2018-09-23T18:51:33Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > There’s quite a bit more to his record than _that_. It \*has \*been normal in previous hearings for it all to be made public, but not this time. That’s been pretty widely reported over here. As a judge, the gold standard for what his judicial views are, are his judgements from the bench. That is freely available. > [@](#): > > Just out of curiosity, what the \*hell \*has gotten into you lately? Well just now it was a plate of _Chicken Corden Bleu_ with Sauteed Vegetables, washed down with a very agreeable cocktail. :rolleyes: Maybe you’d do better if you saw the opposing side in this thread as merely having a different view, not being the spawn of Satan. ---
**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, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2735 "2018-09-23T18:52:38Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > The POTUS—the top official of the Republican Party—tweets garbage like this: > > …but you want to act as if Republicans are saints for allowing Ford to speak on Thurs instead of Monday? > > Yes, you are part of the problem. > > Extrapolate Trump’s remarks to anyone who has waited years before reporting sexual assault and rape, and you’ll see that he’s insulting millions of victims. Including victims of pedophilic clergymen. All in the service of politics and self-interest. 1. I am not Trump’s agent or spokesman. You cannot impute his comments as if they are mine. 2. Earlier in this thread, I expressed relief that someone had made Trump stay off Twitter about this. 3. His comments are incredibly tone-deaf and I disagree with them in their entirety. So, again, how am I part of the problem? What problem? ---
**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, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2736 "2018-09-23T18:55:37Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Which was a federal matter since it involved two federal employees in a federal entity. Not the case here. And the FBI cannot be given jurisdiction by the President, where they have none, contrary to what has been reported, all they can do is perform a background check, which they have done. Background checks don’t decide on guilt or innocence, they just get info and flag it. I’m not asking for the FBI to be given jurisdiction. As for the last part (emphasis added), I’ve posted exactly that a couple times in the last 24 hours. To investigate this as a “background check” is all we can expect. And it might be well beyond he timeframe they typically consider, but that doesn’t make it impossible to do. We know at least 4 and maybe 5 people who should be interviewed as a start. ---
**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, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2737 "2018-09-23T18:58:13Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > 1. I am not Trump’s agent or spokesman. You cannot impute his comments as if they are mine. > > 2. Earlier in this thread, I expressed relief that someone had made Trump stay off Twitter about this. > > 3. His comments are incredibly tone-deaf and I disagree with them in their entirety. > > So, again, how am I part of the problem? What problem? If you’re not advocating that every Republican be extremely critical of President Trump’s bragging about violating the consent of women on multiple occasions, as well as demanding (and executing, since they have that power) investigations into the several credible allegations of sexual assault and rape, as well as supporting the Mueller investigation (and stating publicly that they support it and will not tolerate any efforts by Trump to end it), among many other things (cruelty towards immigrant families, incompetence in foreign policy re: NK and Iran, and much more that has nothing to do with conservative policy preferences), then you are part of the problem. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2738 "2018-09-23T19:08:55Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Proud moments abound. > [LEWINSKY’S MOTHER TESTIFIES – Chicago Tribune](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-11-9802110047-story.html#) > [Brett Kavanaugh's Role In the Starr Investigation And How It Shaped Him : NPR](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/17/639670928/brett-kavanaughs-role-in-the-starr-investigation-and-how-it-shaped-him) > > Question suggestions from Mr Kavanaugh, minion, to his boss, Ken Starr… > > Proud moments, to be sure… Covered himself in glory, he did. > [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/why-was-kavanaugh-obsessed-with-vince-foster.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/why-was-kavanaugh-obsessed-with-vince-foster.html) > [Brett Kavanaugh Investigated A President, Then Voiced Concerns About Doing Just That : NPR](https://www.npr.org/2018/08/18/639653174/brett-kavanaugh-investigated-a-president-then-voiced-concerns-about-doing-just-t) > > 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! Yep, no question, Kavanaugh has been a total gentleman since graduating from Georgetown Prep. [According to the Washington Post’s Dan Eggen](https://twitter.com/DanEggenWPost/status/1043615588839579650), “Kavanaugh grew frustrated [during the prep session for his testimony] when it came to questions that dug into his private life, particularly his drinking habits and his sexual proclivities…He declined to answer some questions altogether, saying they were too personal.” Guess he’s forgotten about all those questions he wanted to ask Bill Clinton. In addition to those elucidator has already mentioned, [who can forget hits like](https://www.washingtonpost.com/apps/g/page/politics/read-the-memo-from-brett-kavanaugh-to-judge-starr/2322/?tid=a_inl_manual&tidloc=19): If Monica Lewinsky says that on several occasions in the Oval Office area, you used your fingers to stimulate her vagina and bring her to orgasm, would she be lying? If Monica Lewinsky says that on several occasions you had her give her [sic] oral sex, made her stop, and then ejaculated into the sink of the bathroom off the Oval Office, would she be lying? If Monica Lewinsky says that you masturbated into a trashcan in your secretary’s office, would she by [sic] lying? Boy howdy, he’s turned into quite the little snowflake, hasn’t he? Because it’s hard to imagine what they could have asked him that would be _too personal_, compared to questions like these. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2739 "2018-09-23T19:14:04Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > It shouldn’t be. Wonder why Ms. Ford is having so much reluctance to testify before the committee? > > Regards, > Shodan Wow. You’re actually serious, aren’t you? All I can say is, “True to form.” Bye. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/2740 "2018-09-23T19:15:05Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Or maybe they just want to shove this through before more women come forward, like those that said they were coached to [look like models](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/20/brett-kavanaugh-supreme-court-yale-amy-chua) in order to clerk for Kavanaugh. Note on the Guardian article that you linked to: [Professor Chua herself says that it’s a blatant lie](http://reason.com/volokh/2018/09/22/yale-law-prof-amy-chuas-statement-on-her). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=136) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=138)