# 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:** 177
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3521 "2018-09-25T21:57:18Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Give what to them? They _are_ old white men. Is the GOP saying that this demographic group is intrinsically ill-equipped to ask a woman questions about sexually assault for the purpose of ensuring a nominee is suitable for the SC? Sounds like they are making a case against electing white men into office. … If you’ve been paying any attention at all then you’d know this is not at all what the GOP is saying or thinking. They want to avoid the optics of the situation, not because they doubt that any one of them is more than capable of ripping Ford’s credibility to shreds with half their brain tied behind their back (at least in their view), but because it’s bad politics. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3522 "2018-09-25T21:59:16Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If you’ve been paying any attention at all then you’d know this is not at all what the GOP is saying or thinking. They want to avoid the optics of the situation, not because they doubt that any one of them is more than capable of ripping Ford’s credibility to shreds with half their brain tied behind their back (at least in their view), but because it’s bad politics. Why? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3523 "2018-09-25T21:59:52Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Why? Are you asking why it’s bad politics? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3524 "2018-09-25T22:00:38Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Are you asking why it’s bad politics? Well, I guess why you think it is. You may think it’s obvious, but I’m curious for you to expand. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3525 "2018-09-25T22:04:45Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Did you believe Gorsuch’s Boy Scout routine? or was it an obvious lie? I did believe Gorsuch’s Boy Scout routine. It’s been brought up a number of times in this thread that similar accusations would not have been credible against Gorsuch precisely because he was such a goody two shoes. Part of the credibility of the Kavanaugh accusers comes from the fact that details of their stories, such as Kavanaugh’s heavy drinking, have been corroborated. ---
**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 25, 2018, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3526 "2018-09-25T22:05:09Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Did you believe Gorsuch’s Boy Scout routine? or was it an obvious lie? Did he get “spy” memos about illegally obtained Congressional committee information and lie under oath about 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 25, 2018, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3527 "2018-09-25T22:06:36Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If you’ve been paying any attention at all then you’d know this is not at all what the GOP is saying or thinking. They want to avoid the optics of the situation, not because they doubt that any one of them is more than capable of ripping Ford’s credibility to shreds with half their brain tied behind their back (at least in their view), but because it’s bad politics. I don’t think any Republican Senator could (cross) examine Ford better than a seasoned sex crimes prosecutor. That’s nuts. It’s both, the optics and that this attorney will be much better at it. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3528 "2018-09-25T22:09:39Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > I did believe Gorsuch’s Boy Scout routine. > > It’s been brought up a number of times in this thread that similar accusations would not have been credible against Gorsuch precisely because he was such a goody two shoes. > > Part of the credibility of the Kavanaugh accusers comes from the fact that details of their stories, such as Kavanaugh’s heavy drinking, have been corroborated. Here’s a quote (admittedly, from a dubious source, but one you probably consider credible) > [@](#): > > Gorsuch’s own fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta—known more commonly as FIJI—welcomed him as a freshman in the spring of 1986 and he remained an active member until his early graduation in 1988. According to school newspaper reports and interviews with former Columbia students, FIJI’s reputation was unrivaled among Columbia’s 12 other fraternities at the time—defined by accusations of hard-partying, racism, sexism, and date rape. FIJI, as one former member claimed, was known as a house where the spiked punch flowed, and party tents known as “smut huts” were erected for one clear purpose. > > The Phi Gamma Delta page in Columbia’s 1988 yearbook is a testament to the fact that FIJI’s party-hearty reputation wasn’t solely the product of rumors from know-nothing outsiders. It’s difficult to tell whether Gorsuch is among the 30 mostly white teens smiling from the fraternity’s group photo (they really do all look alike), but he is listed in the caption as one of its 42 members. [The Daily Beast - Neil Gorsuch Defended Columbia’s So-Called ‘Date-Rape Frat’](https://www.thedailybeast.com/neil-gorsuch-defended-columbias-so-called-date-rape-frat) Oh shit man, what should we do now? Investigate? Call the FBI? Impeach him? Or maybe, and it’s just an idea, we can drop the guilt-by-association thing? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3529 "2018-09-25T22:14:20Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Well, I guess why you think it is. You may think it’s obvious, but I’m curious for you to expand. Because all Ford would have to do is shed a single tear during a mildly adversarial question and Twitter, Facebook, CNN, and the SDMB would positively EXPLODE with discussion about how mean those old white Republican(!) dudes are for bullying this brave “survivor”. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3530 "2018-09-25T22:16:14Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Oh shit man, what should we do now? Investigate? Call the FBI? Impeach him? If you’d like to make an argument for impeaching Gorsuch, go for it. I’ll be happy to listen. The reasons why Kavanaugh’s Boy Scout routine is obvious bullshit are not limited to guilt by association. There’s a ton of stuff he contributed himself. A bunch of other stuff from people who knew him. And a tiny dash of guilt by association which fits nicely with an already established pattern. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3531 "2018-09-25T22:21:46Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > If you’d like to make an argument for impeaching Gorsuch, go for it. I’ll be happy to listen. … I’m making an argument for why guilt-by-association is a stupid way to run pretty much anything, but especially a nomination process, and a tiny dash of demonstrating how ill-informed and ignorant your posts are. ETA: credit where it’s due though, you do seem to have backed off your “blackout drunk” claims after some examination of them. ---
**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 25, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3532 "2018-09-25T22:22:22Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If you’ve been paying any attention at all then you’d know this is not at all what the GOP is saying or thinking. They want to avoid the optics of the situation, not because they doubt that any one of them is more than capable of ripping Ford’s credibility to shreds with half their brain tied behind their back (at least in their view), but because it’s bad politics. Their rationale is not that hard to divine; it still suggests that they lack the savvy and stones to handle this aspect of their jobs. Guess what, Senators? Sometimes you’re expected to do things that are politically risky. If the prospect scares you, lean on your staffers to prepare you. You are a _politician_. If having to take on bad optics gives you diarrhea, don’t sign up the job. Simple. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3533 "2018-09-25T22:25:39Z")
Yeah, don’t hide behind your metaphorical mama’s skirt sucking your thumb. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3534 "2018-09-25T22:25:57Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Their rationale is not that hard to divine; it still suggests that they lack the savvy and stones to handle this aspect of their jobs. > > Guess what, Senators? Sometimes you’re expected to do things that are politically risky. If the prospect scares you, lean on your staffers to prepare you. You are a _politician_. If having to take on bad optics gives you diarrhea, don’t sign up the job. Simple. Or … and since they’re the ones with a majority on the committee and can largely set their own rules, they can do it how they want and have another lawyer question her. It’s not that they’re “scared”, it’s that they’re savvy, and taking this particular political risk is unnecessary as there is a handy option for them to have someone else do the questioning. It would be foolish not to take advantage of that. ---
**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 25, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3535 "2018-09-25T22:26:49Z")
I’m starting to get nervous about Avenatti; there are claims that he was scammed by a fake witness. I’m biting my nails! ---
**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 25, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3536 "2018-09-25T22:27:02Z")
To be fair, the Democrats would surely be able to hire any attorney they want to (cross) examine Kavanaugh. They’re not. I’d guess because they want to be seen doing it for their constituents, even if they cannot do it as well. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3537 "2018-09-25T22:28:10Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > ETA: credit where it’s due though, you do seem to have backed off your “blackout drunk” claims after some examination of them. Missed this edit. I’m not backing off that one bit. There’s tons of evidence that he got black out drunk. It’s even been posted to this thread. I will be happy to discuss it with you once you’ve read the thread. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3538 "2018-09-25T22:29:11Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > I’m starting to get nervous about Avenatti; there are claims that he was scammed by a fake witness. > > I’m biting my nails! He does seem to have gone strangely dark since his “I deliver” claims. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3539 "2018-09-25T22:30:08Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > I’m starting to get nervous about Avenatti; there are claims that he was scammed by a fake witness. > > I’m biting my nails! Avenatti has addressed this… “It never happened. None of it. No truth to it. This is a fabrication of the right because they are worried and they should be." He has not been known to make idle threats. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3540 "2018-09-25T22:30:19Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Missed this edit. > > I’m not backing off that one bit. There’s tons of evidence that he got black out drunk. It’s even been posted to this thread. I will be happy to discuss it with you once you’ve read the thread. LOL. If you’ve got cites, share them. Silly preconditions like “go read every post in a 70+ page thread first” are unbecoming. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=176) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=178)