# 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:** 235
**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 28, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4681 "2018-09-28T05:21:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I don’t know, hadn’t decided yet. In 2006, the US population was 298.4 million (according to Google) and the D’s got 42,338,795. Today the population is estimated to be [328.7 million](https://www.census.gov/popclock/). If I’m doing maths right, that’s just over 10% growth. Let’s round it off at 10%. 42,338,795 + 10% = 46,572,674. How about, if the D’s get more than 47 million votes, I’ll donate $10 to a tax-deductible charity of your choice, in whatever (reasonable - I’m not wearing a chicken costume and flying to Puerto Rico or anything crazy like that) manner you choose, and an additional $10 for every million votes above that (48M = $20, 49M = $30, 50M=$40, etc). Conversely, if the D’s don’t get more than 46 million votes, you donate $10 to a charity of my choosing, in a (reasonable) way I choose. For every million votes below that, you donate an additional $10. Agreed? Deal. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4682 "2018-09-28T05:23:44Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Uh. Also, let it be noted that Republicans, at least the vast majority of them, are not, in fact, Nazis. They are arguably fascists, but these terms are not interchangable. Not Nazis or fascists - misogynists. They just don’t care about the women in their lives enough to stand up and say sexual harassment or assault is unacceptable without regard to how long ago it may have happened. In their world any situation that can be boiled down to “he said, she said” automatically means the man is innocent. ---
**Author:** ![2ManyTacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3da27b/32.png) [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4683 "2018-09-28T05:23:44Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If Democrats can take control of Congress and the White House in 2020, I think we’re going to have to take some extreme measures to save this Republic; > > 1. Nuke the filibuster entirely > 2. Congresses passes an act temporarily increasing the size of the Supreme Court > 3. The president nominates and the Senate approves 3-5 liberal judges whose spots will _not_ be refilled upon retirement, allowing a safe liberal majority for a generation or two until the Nazi Party has disbanded or become sane again I am supportive of each of these suggestions, but keep in mind that carrying them out would necessarily have to be accompanied by the admission of DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa as states. Basically, the Democrats would have to utilize a form of shock therapy to gain more Senate seats and force a new political alignment where it would be much more difficult for the GOP to regain power. Hell, they should probably expand the size of the House and transition to ranked-choice voting as well. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4684 "2018-09-28T05:24:32Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Deal. Great, you’ll probably have to remind me about this post in 6 weeks, but I’m game. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4685 "2018-09-28T05:25:45Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > I would like to think that all eight justices (well, maybe seven) were horrified at Kavanaugh’s performance today. I can’t imagine they will be particularly thrilled having to work with him. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I think we can write off Alito and Gorsuch from that list, though. Along with the other one. ---
**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 28, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4686 "2018-09-28T05:27:22Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Not Nazis or fascists - misogynists. They just don’t care about the women in their lives enough to stand up and say sexual harassment or assault is unacceptable without regard to how long ago it may have happened. > > In their world any situation that can be boiled down to “he said, she said” automatically means the man is innocent. No question they are misogynists. Some of them are fascists, too. ---
**Author:** ![sweepkick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4687 "2018-09-28T05:27:38Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Who are the Nazis? And do you honestly think Court packing can only be done by the Dems? Well, I won’t speak for Smapti, but let me tell you who I think can be likened to the fascist Nazi regime. It’s the party who has, for the last 15+ years, consistently conveyed the message that people who are different from the voting majority (be it different race, color, or religion) are an existential threat to their families and, ultimately to the republic. It’s the party that does not hold the worst of their party accountable for their actions. It’s the party that established a propaganda cable channel, then worked tirelessly to discredit all other news sources for the purpose of controlling the message, dialog, and limiting what the public sees. It’s the party that has demonstrated time and time again that their message of fiscal responsibility is nothing but a sham. I’ve seen the Republican party slowly devolve since Bill Clinton denied George Bush his presumed 8 years, and to be frank, I’m god damned sick of their antics and bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4688 "2018-09-28T05:28:37Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Deal. Psssssttt. ACLU. ---
**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 28, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4689 "2018-09-28T05:29:41Z")
> [@2ManyTacos](#): > > I am supportive of each of these suggestions, but keep in mind that carrying them out would necessarily have to be accompanied by the admission of DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa as states. Basically, the Democrats would have to utilize a form of shock therapy to gain more Senate seats and force a new political alignment where it would be much more difficult for the GOP to regain power. > > Hell, they should probably expand the size of the House and transition to ranked-choice voting as well. I like the cut of your jib. ---
**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 28, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4690 "2018-09-28T05:30:42Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Psssssttt. ACLU. Oh, I’m already envisioning a whole poll thread. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4691 "2018-09-28T05:33:10Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Oh, I’m already envisioning a whole poll thread. 😉 LOL, miles ahead of me, then! ---
**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 28, 2018, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4692 "2018-09-28T05:37:39Z")
> [@2ManyTacos](#): > > I am supportive of each of these suggestions, but keep in mind that carrying them out would necessarily have to be accompanied by the admission of DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa as states. Basically, the Democrats would have to utilize a form of shock therapy to gain more Senate seats and force a new political alignment where it would be much more difficult for the GOP to regain power. > > Hell, they should probably expand the size of the House and transition to ranked-choice voting as well. Looking further: Guam and American Samoa would be much, much smaller than any other State (167, 000 and 55,000; Wyoming is the smallest current State with 580,000, but there are six others with less than a million. But DC has 637,000, and Puerto Rico has 3.3 million, so they definitely have fair claims on Statehood. Heck, Puerto Rico could be\* four\* States!😃 ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4693 "2018-09-28T05:38:35Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I think we can write off Alito and Gorsuch from that list, though. Along with the other one. They might care about the optics of it. This would really be a stain on the court’s (and their) legacy. ---
**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 28, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4694 "2018-09-28T05:40:18Z")
I joke, but that’s pretty much how Nevada got to be a State; the Republicans wanted to guarantee themselves another few electoral votes in 1864 and carved off the desolate ass end of California. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4695 "2018-09-28T05:44:38Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Speaking as an addiction psychiatrist: Kavanaugh’s behavior today was absolutely stereotypical of an alcoholic in denial. It seemed so obvious to me how his entire demeanor changed when the subject turned to his drinking. He got hyper-defensive and did stuff like responding to a US Senator’s question with “Have YOU?”. Anyone who’s ever known an alcoholic can recognize that aggrieved, psuedo-humorous whine of “Well, I admit I like beer! Beer is not a crime! Lots of people like beer!” I could certainly be wrong, I’m not claiming to have enough information to make a diagnosis…but yeah. He seemed to have a much easier time sticking to the script when the topic was “only” alleged sex crimes. I had that impression as well. He struck me as an easily identifiable substance abuser (not to mention at least a bully). ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4696 "2018-09-28T05:54:51Z")
America’s only nationwide Catholic weekly [has rescinded its endorsement of Kavanaugh.](https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/09/27/editors-it-time-kavanaugh-nomination-be-withdrawn) > [@](#): > > If Dr. Blasey’s allegation is true, the assault and Judge Kavanaugh’s denial of it mean that he should not be seated on the U.S. Supreme Court. But even if the credibility of the allegation has not been established beyond a reasonable doubt and even if further investigation is warranted to determine its validity or clear Judge Kavanaugh’s name, we recognize that this nomination is no longer in the best interests of the country… > > If Senate Republicans proceed with his nomination, they will be prioritizing policy aims over a woman’s report of an assault. Were he to be confirmed without this allegation being firmly disproved, it would hang over his future decisions on the Supreme Court for decades and further divide the country. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4697 "2018-09-28T06:01:34Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > America’s only nationwide Catholic weekly [has rescinded its endorsement of Kavanaugh.](https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2018/09/27/editors-it-time-kavanaugh-nomination-be-withdrawn) “America’s only nationwide Catholic weekly” seems to have a rather left-wing bent to their reporting. Just perusing some of the headlines, I see: Brett Kavanaugh and toxic masculinity: lessons from another all-male Jesuit high school Prison strike seeks to defend humanity of U.S. inmates How Canada’s ‘antifa’ groups are organizing to fight a growing far-right presence Immigration And The Politicization Of Mollie Tibbetts’s Murder ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4698 "2018-09-28T06:03:58Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > “America’s only nationwide Catholic weekly” seems to have a rather left-wing bent to their reporting. _America_ is a Jesuit publication. You may have heard of a rather prominent Jesuit named Francis who’s been kind of a big deal in Catholic circles lately. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4699 "2018-09-28T06:04:20Z")
I mean, the way he turned the tables on Sen Feinstein! And he sure showed that Klobuchar woman a thing or two! Snap! A mind like a steel trout! And all with that calm and even tempered assurance one _expects_ from a judge! So that he says “The defendant will rise” and you feel privileged to oblige. And he just charmed the pants off American women! So to speak. ---
**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 28, 2018, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/4700 "2018-09-28T06:04:40Z")
Hm, it’s almost as though Jesuits read the Bible or something. But they did initially endorse Kavanaugh, right? So we’re not exactly talking about the Radical Wymyn’s Anti-Authoritarian Affinity Group here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=234) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=236)