# 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:** 194
**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 26, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3861 "2018-09-26T19:24:18Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Are you fucking kidding me? _Everyone_ and their uncle knew about Weinstein, so much that people actually joked about it. For years. Spacey rumours were around for years, actually fairly detailed ones. Even with Cosby, it was known that he was a skirt chaser despite his fatherly image. Weinstein (and Spacey, Cosby etc.) were public figures. So of course rumors circulated. Kavanaugh has been a public figure for maybe two weeks. And, in case you haven’t noticed, rumors are starting to circulate. ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3862 "2018-09-26T19:24:59Z")
Is the Republicans bringing in a prosecutor to interrogate Ford, the alleged victim, a good look for them? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3863 "2018-09-26T19:25:01Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yes and no. Certainly sexual abuse goes unreported a lot and it did with the two celebrities you mention. But the allegations here are that they happened in public, at a party with multiple witnesses. That’s a significant distinction. And the latest allegations don’t include any actual claims of sexual assault by Kavanaugh against the claimant. And Ramirez needed 6 days of discussions before she decided that Kavanaugh did in fact expose himself to her and some reports say she is still not sure. Until additional evidence comes out, only Ford’s allegations have any meat to them. ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3864 "2018-09-26T19:26:19Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Are you fucking kidding me? _Everyone_ and their uncle knew about Weinstein, so much that people actually joked about it. For years. Spacey rumours were around for years, actually fairly detailed ones. Even with Cosby, it was known that he was a skirt chaser despite his fatherly image. But they were talking about “being punished” or getting reported to the authorities. That’s a different matter than having folks joke about it. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3865 "2018-09-26T19:27:14Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Is the Republicans bringing in a prosecutor to interrogate Ford, the alleged victim, a good look for them? It would probably be better for Ford, since a sex crimes prosecutor would be moe experienced in eliciting testimony from victims and impeaching accused, while a Defence attorney would be the opposite. Which is fair. Kavanaugh is a lawyer and a judge. Ford is a layperson. He should get the bigger grilling. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3866 "2018-09-26T19:28:26Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But they were talking about “being punished” or getting reported to the authorities. That’s a different matter than having folks joke about it. Both did, in fact, get reported multiple times before #metoo. Weinstein actually had a provision in his contract for paying off accusers. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3867 "2018-09-26T19:29:10Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Well, at this point, I think two things need to be considered. > > 1. How long would it take to perform an FBI investigation that would “clear his name”? It took three days to “clear” Clarence Thomas, and I would note it didn’t actually “clear” him, as Biden’s “FBI investigations do not reach conclusions” talk proves. > > I do not think an FBI investigation is going to take 3 days at this point. Not even close > > 1. How long would it take to find an acceptable female SCOTUS nominee that would likely pass a Senate vote, and get her through the confirmation process? If Kavenaugh is innocent and this is, in fact, a coordinated smear campaign, then nominating another old white guy would be idiotic. > > If 2 would take less time, I say go with that. That would also, hopefully, provide a somewhat of a catharsis for democratic revenge fantasies regarding Merrick Garland. The time from nomination to confirmation of current Justices ranged from 50 to 99 days. There are now 41 days until the midterms and 99 days until the next Congress is sealed. So, if they want to go that route, they’d have to hurry. This could also be playing a role in their apparent willingness to try to push Kavanaugh through. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3868 "2018-09-26T19:30:57Z")
In the last weeks of a campaign? Doubtful. ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3869 "2018-09-26T19:34:04Z")
Erick Erickson on twitter: Garbage people do not accomplish what Kavanaugh has accomplished in the way he has accomplished it. Instead, garbage people tend to wind up writing for left-of-center online news outlets in DC. I guess he can’t remember Dennis Hastert the pedophile , longest serving GOP house speaker ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3870 "2018-09-26T19:36:12Z")
AK47, it seems as though your point is that the evidence wouldn’t be sufficient to support a criminal conviction, which seems clearly true. But why is this even relevant? Is anyone arguing that the standard of evidence required to send someone to prison should be the same standard used to determine whether someone should be endowed with a position of enormous public trust? ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3871 "2018-09-26T19:37:51Z")
Mark Judge’s ex-college girlfriend says he’s lying about no sexual assaults in high school, based on what he told her. [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoCh_bAUcAAx00s.jpg:large) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DoCh_bAUcAAx00s.jpg:large) ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3872 "2018-09-26T19:38:30Z")
[Turns out she was in college when he was in High School.](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/us/politics/julie-swetnick-avenatti-kavenaugh.html) > [@](#): > > Ms. Swetnick grew up in Montgomery County, Md., graduating from Gaithersburg High School in 1980 before attending college at the University of Maryland, according to a résumé for her posted online. Judge Kavanaugh graduated from Georgetown Prep in 1983. Would a college student regularly attend multople parties given by school children? Is that normal in the US? (Not saying she is lying, just asking). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3873 "2018-09-26T19:40:36Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > “I have a firm recollection of seeing boys lined up outside rooms at many of these parties waiting for their ‘turn’ with a girl inside the room. These boys included Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh” So Ms. Swetnick attended multiple parties where gang rape was organized? As in, after she learned what was going on, she continued to attend? That’s surprising. Regards, Shodan ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3874 "2018-09-26T19:41:07Z")
“[Support for Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation](https://thehill.com/homenews/news/408580-support-for-kavanaugh-among-gop-women-drops-18-points) to the Supreme Court among Republican women dropped 18 points since last week, following additional allegations of sexual misconduct against him, according to a new Morning Consult/Politico poll released Wednesday.” And that was before the latest allegations. Good job rallying the base, Republicans! ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3875 "2018-09-26T19:41:51Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So Ms. Swetnick attended multiple parties where gang rape was organized? As in, after she learned what was going on, she continued to attend? That’s surprising. > > Regards, > Shodan Parties organised by school kids when she was in college herself… and she is 3 years ahead of Kavanaugh and Judge. ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3876 "2018-09-26T19:42:27Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > [Turns out she was in college when he was in High School.](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/us/politics/julie-swetnick-avenatti-kavenaugh.html) > > Would a college student regularly attend multople parties given by school children? Is that normal in the US? > > (Not saying she is lying, just asking). Maybe most of the attendees were her age? These weren’t parties thrown by Kavanaugh, they were parties attended by Kavanaugh. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3877 "2018-09-26T19:42:56Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > AK47, it seems as though your point is that the evidence wouldn’t be sufficient to support a criminal conviction, which seems clearly true. But why is this even relevant? Is anyone arguing that the standard of evidence required to send someone to prison should be the same standard used to determine whether someone should be endowed with a position of enormous public trust? Frankly, I think the second and third allegations won’t even make a civil standard of proof and would be dismissed with summary judgement. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3878 "2018-09-26T19:44:03Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Maybe most of the attendees were her age? These weren’t parties thrown by Kavanaugh, they were parties attended by Kavanaugh. …I thought he is supposed to have led a gang rape train; that sure sounds like organizing to me, ---
**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 26, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3879 "2018-09-26T19:44:12Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > [Turns out she was in college when he was in High School.](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/us/politics/julie-swetnick-avenatti-kavenaugh.html) > > Would a college student regularly attend multople parties given by school children? Is that normal in the US? > > (Not saying she is lying, just asking). It wouldn’t be unheard of, especially since she went to University of Maryland. I don’t think that is any kind of mark against her accusations. And it could be the other way around-- HS student attending parties thrown by college students. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/3880 "2018-09-26T19:44:36Z")
From your cite: > [@](#): > > Asked why Ms. Swetnick would be attending parties with high schoolers during her college years, Mr. Avenatti said that the parties in question included people of both high school and college ages. Having grown up in a college town, I can testify that this is in fact extremely common. I don’t see anything in the cite that indicates the high schoolers were “giving” the parties. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=193) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=195)