# 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:** 159
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3161 "2018-09-24T19:46:43Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that I don’t think what she alleges to have happened to her is all that serious. During the days of my own youth such occurrences during drunken parties was fairly commonplace, and the reaction of the girls involved was usually that the guy was just a drunken asshole and then they forgot about it. > > You do raise an interesting point though, which is that Ford may have felt shame for having put herself in the position where such an attack could occur. She was underage, in a swim suit, at a party where alcohol was flowing, there was no adult supervision, and with boys who were known to become sexually aggressive when drinking. I can certainly see how she would feel a certain sense of responsibility for what happened to her (though I doubt anyone here will profess the same), and that she was probably also fear of her parents finding out. > > So to that degree, I will accept that your point is well taken. This is really fucking gross, dude. It’s gross based on what you’re saying, and what you’re implying. I really hope this type of thinking is eradicated as soon as possible. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3162 "2018-09-24T19:46:49Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I don’t get the point of announcing this. … It’s politics. It’s intended as a show of strength / inevitability / support for Kavanaugh ---
**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 24, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3163 "2018-09-24T19:48:22Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > More witnesses? These alleged victims have named everyone at these events. If there are more witnesses that calls into questions either their credibility or the witnesses’ credibility. How is it you know before the investigation that there is absolutely nothing that the investigation can find? Is this what you advise your clients – “Don’t bother going to the police on this matter – they won’t find the evidence of the crime you want to prove, and you were probably into it anyway.” > [@](#): > > Yes I would. However, what evidence could you find which would prove these allegations with such certainty as to warrant a perjury charge? If Kavenaugh sent emails to the White House Counsel asking if there was anything in his background investigation that would contradict Kavenaugh’s draft statements denying everything, that would be pretty powerful evidence of perjury. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3164 "2018-09-24T19:49:45Z")
Report: Martha MacCallum interviewing Kavanaugh and his wife live tonight on FOX at 7pm. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3165 "2018-09-24T19:50:01Z")
If McConnell thinks that the vote will go Kavanaugh’s way, does this mean that he has done a head count and he has Susan Collins’s vote, and she’s lying when she says she hasn’t made up her mind? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3166 "2018-09-24T19:51:53Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > If McConnell thinks that the vote will go Kavanaugh’s way, does this mean that he has done a head count and he has Susan Collins’s vote, and she’s lying when she says she hasn’t made up her mind? Not necessarily. AFAIK, he never said he has Collins’ vote. It’s possible he has everyone’s _but_ Collins’, or he doesn’t even know yet but it trying to project confidence. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3167 "2018-09-24T19:54:10Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The FBI _has_ had “an opportunity”. They declined. The FBI investigates at the direction of the President, who apparently doesn’t want the truth to get out. ---
**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 24, 2018, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3168 "2018-09-24T19:55:26Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Yes, I agree with you that Kavanaugh intended to rape her (great defense of the man, by the way). But in the process of attempting to rape her he committed sexual assault. Is this really a difficult concept for you? > > Like if I set out to steal $10,000, but the bag contains only $1,000, I have unsuccessfully stolen $10,000, but I’ve still committed a crime. > > Do you think it’s a defense, if you murder someone, to say “but I was only trying to kidnap them, at which I was unsuccessful”? > > OK, buddy. That word you use, “buddy” I do not think it means what you think it means. The point you seem to be struggling with is that he is alleged not to have set out to commit sexual assault but rape. In failing to achieve that goal his attempt was unsuccessful, and therefore Ford had little reason to behave afterward as though he had. Where is the shame is saying _“That drunk bastard tried to rape me but I fought him off!”_? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3169 "2018-09-24T19:57:06Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that I don’t think what she alleges to have happened to her is all that serious. I bet you’d think it was serious if it happened to you, buddy. But brave of you to downplay someone else’s assault, tough guy. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3170 "2018-09-24T19:58:17Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > The point you seem to be struggling with is that he is alleged not to have set out to commit sexual assault but rape. OK, buddy. ---
**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 24, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3171 "2018-09-24T19:58:31Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Report: Martha MacCallum interviewing Kavanaugh and his wife live tonight on FOX at 7pm. Doubling down or backing out? I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3172 "2018-09-24T19:58:52Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Report: Martha MacCallum interviewing Kavanaugh and his wife live tonight on FOX at 7pm. Correction: The interview will not be live, but it will air at 7pm. Pretty ballsy by Kavanaugh. If I was his attorney, I would tell him to wait, but I think it is good that he is firing back. Probably necessary in this process. Last night, advantage Dems. As today progresses, advantage GOP. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3173 "2018-09-24T19:59:59Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Doubling down or backing out? > > I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through. He has already issued a statement saying that he will not withdraw: [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/408116-kavanaugh-i-will-not-be-intimidated-into-withdrawing](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/408116-kavanaugh-i-will-not-be-intimidated-into-withdrawing) ---
**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 24, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3174 "2018-09-24T20:01:12Z")
Interview on FOX , what a shocker!!! I guess the other networks were booked up. I’m sure they will put the screws to him for sure . ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3175 "2018-09-24T20:01:21Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > The point you seem to be struggling with is that he is alleged not to have set out to commit sexual assault but rape. In failing to achieve that goal his attempt was unsuccessful, and therefore Ford had little reason to behave afterward as though he had. Where is the shame is saying _“That drunk bastard tried to rape me but I fought him off!”_? There are guys out there, I can’t remember who, but there are guys out there who will shame her for getting into that situation in the first place. They’ll say she was underage, in a swim suit, at a party where alcohol was flowing, there was no adult supervision, and with boys who were known to become sexually aggressive when drinking. By gosh, she was practically asking for it! ---
**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 24, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3176 "2018-09-24T20:02:06Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > He has already issued a statement saying that he will not withdraw: > > [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/408116-kavanaugh-i-will-not-be-intimidated-into-withdrawing](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/408116-kavanaugh-i-will-not-be-intimidated-into-withdrawing) In light of the death threats to my wife and kids… ---
**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 24, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3177 "2018-09-24T20:02:31Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > It’s politics. It’s intended as a show of strength / inevitability / support for Kavanaugh But it doesn’t look strong, rather the opposite. If for whatever reason it doesn’t go to a floor vote this week, they will look like a bunch impulsive, panicky over-promisers. If more accusations, even nastier than Ford’s, come out between now and Thurs, yet they blindly stick to their floor vote promise, they will be making it abundantly clear that they are prioritizing political self-interest over the best interest of the SC and the country. This combined with Rosenstein’s resignation may turn things into a powder keg. I reallly feel like are all standing on top of a precipice, waiting to see if the GOP is willing to jump to its death over this issue. I just hope if they do jump, they don’t drag the nation down with them. Kavanaugh ain’t worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3178 "2018-09-24T20:06:41Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Perhaps the problem lies in the fact that I don’t think what she alleges to have happened to her is all that serious. During the days of my own youth such occurrences during drunken parties was fairly commonplace, and the reaction of the girls involved was usually that the guy was just a drunken asshole and then they forgot about it. I think you’re right that such events were fairly commonplace. I’m curious how many of them you were either responsible for, or were aware of at the time but did nothing about. I’m 100% certain that the common reaction of the girls was to forget about it. If you have any interest at all in educating yourself, consider listening to women who account, today, how they were assaulted as children. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3179 "2018-09-24T20:09:23Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > But it doesn’t look strong, rather the opposite. > > If for whatever reason it doesn’t go to a floor vote this week, they will look like a bunch impulsive, panicky over-promisers. > > If more accusations, even nastier than Ford’s, come out between now and Thurs, yet they blindly stick to their floor vote promise, they will be making it abundantly clear that they are prioritizing political self-interest over the best interest of the SC and the country. This combined with Rosenstein’s resignation may turn things into a powder keg. > > I reallly feel like are all standing on top of a precipice, waiting to see if the GOP is willing to jump to its death over this issue. I just hope if they do jump, they don’t drag the nation down with them. Kavanaugh ain’t worth it. This Is an illustration of why one needs to read and watch things outside ones comfort zone. The GOP bass has been very angry on this issue and is itching for a fight. He has given it to them. Even if they lose they can use the anger over it to restore party disicipline in the ranks and get the base fired up. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3180 "2018-09-24T20:12:10Z")
Not sure the network known for covering up sexual assault and harassment is the right choice for this infomercial. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=158) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=160)