# 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:** 255
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5081 "2018-09-29T00:16:20Z")
OK, got it - and sorry about the double post! ---
**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 29, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5082 "2018-09-29T00:16:20Z")
[https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/senate-delays-final-kavanaugh-vote](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/senate-delays-final-kavanaugh-vote) The GOP Senate leaders consider at least some of the allegations against Kavanaugh “credible”, based on their statement. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5083 "2018-09-29T00:17:01Z")
A few things: As one poster linked to, I also was greatly reminded of wang ka’s thread, as the allegations were being released. There is a stark difference on how people saw judge kav. yest. Some people see him as being strong, powerful, passionate. Many people that I have spoken to saw him as on the edge of control, scary, belligerent. One woman said that men just don’t get how women have a very visceral reaction to men who act like that. She said were she in the room with him acting like that she would be looking for exits or planning a way to keep a large distance from him or getting ready to defend herself physically. I was reminded that the one who is yelling and out of control has lost the debate or argument. The judge just needed to substitute a shoe for the writing instrument he was pounding, and he could be Nikita. I also wondered if this is what he is like in the senate, what is he like after a beer or two. His college roommate’s description of him is crystal clear now. And what was that stuff about his roommates having disagreements? Kav. did not say HE had trouble with the roommate. I am also wondering what house prices are in Peggy’s cove, Nova Scotia or Churchill manitoba… ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5084 "2018-09-29T00:17:20Z")
Real question: Is there such thing as contempt of congress in this setting? It was outrageous to hear him abuse the senators and I thought he lost Collins or Murko right there. Wrong again. I mean there have to be worries about the future of the party as a viable thing. Or they are in a mass delusion? It’s a death rattle of something. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5085 "2018-09-29T00:18:44Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Where did you get this last sentence from? Did it come from some FBI’s “Rules for Investigating”? From Flake? Or from your imagination? > > I understand that the FBI may WANT to. Your side would probably LIKE them to. But you didn’t say “want” or “like”. You said “need”. What, in your view, compels this need? I say this: k doesn’t go on the court w/out judges testimony. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5086 "2018-09-29T00:19:35Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > “I believe I was drugged using Quaaludes or something similar” - Julie Swetnick I stand corrected! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5087 "2018-09-29T00:20:16Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Can you imagine the reaction if Dr. Ford had had an outburst like that? “Strident! Shrill! Hysterical! Must be on the rag!” Any shred of credibility out the window. Indeed - it would have been game over. And in a less partisan world than this, it would have been game over for Kavanaugh. That 48 GOP Senators still support his elevation to the Supreme Court after that bit of hysteria shows just how far down the rabbit hole these guys have gone. ---
**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 29, 2018, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5088 "2018-09-29T00:27:50Z")
An amusing tweet from [feminist next door](https://twitter.com/emrazz/status/1045102831760486401): > [@](#): > > Brock Turners grow up to be Brett Kavanaughs who make the rules for Brock Turners. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5089 "2018-09-29T00:38:04Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Huh. I guess lying to the FBI carries a heavier penalty than signing a wee statement under “penalty of felony.” Whatever the hell _that_ is. > > If Judge takes the Fifth, Kavanaugh is toast. I agree. And unsaid in all of this so far is the FBI’s opportunity now to conduct thorough interviews of Judge and, presumably, Kavanaugh and Ford, in the kind of venue that the outside counsel was unable to provide during the hearing, and never even got the chance to take a crack at Kavanaugh. And Mark Judge is a crucial part of this. The letter from Judge didn’t mean squat, legally. But lying to the FBI does – it’s part of what sent a bunch of Trump’s pals to jail. And refusing to talk to the FBI or taking the Fifth would be a killer to Kavanaugh’s case. The only good outcome for Kavanaugh would be if Judge submits to a thorough interview and convincingly denies the allegations – and risks jail time for lying. The problems I see are, #1, that a week is far too little time to fully investigate something like this. And #2, I suspect the real truth of the matter may be that the attack on Ford meant so little to Kavanaugh, and he was so drunk, that he genuinely doesn’t remember much about it. And Judge, who apparently descended into even worse alcoholism, may be even less reliable. But such facts, if they can be established, are important evidence in themselves. ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5090 "2018-09-29T00:43:43Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > [This](https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1045673508305547264) might help explain it. Hahahahahaha Ok I confess that’s the real thing my memory’s spotty on 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5091 "2018-09-29T00:47:11Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > … The only good outcome for Kavanaugh would be if Judge submits to a thorough interview and convincingly denies the allegations – and risks jail time for lying. … Or, he tells the truth that he doesn’t remember any party like Ford describes and never saw Kavanugh behave like she alleged. > [@wolfpup](#): > > … The problems I see are, #1, that a week is far too little time to fully investigate something like this. … This was all too predictable of a claim. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5092 "2018-09-29T00:48:26Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Or, he tells the truth that he doesn’t remember any party like Ford describes and never saw Kavanugh behave like she alleged. Bart O’Kavanugh is another story. That dude was a drunken lout. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5093 "2018-09-29T00:51:17Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I still can’t quite believe yesterday. I still can’t believe the nominee for a seat on the Supreme Court lost his shit on national TV, lied his ass off, yelled and ranted, and proposed bizarre conspiracies against him. > > Did that really happen, or did somebody slip me something? I’m still stunned\* that so many people voted for a president who lies every day, throws tantrums on Twitter, and makes up bullshit conspiracies against himself. There is a precedent. \*Or not ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5094 "2018-09-29T00:52:36Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I stand corrected! Lucky you can stand, after they got done with you! Don’t have to show us on the doll, we pretty much know. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5095 "2018-09-29T01:03:06Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > This was all too predictable of a claim. Sure, if your reality-distortion field is telling you that you don’t need an investigation at all, because Dr. Ford is “obviously” a liar. Or at least that her testimony was not at all compelling, according to you but no one else on the planet. Have you ever had to do a report involving any kind of non-trivial assessment that required interviews with many different people? I have. Even when they’re not at disparate locations all over the country, where you have to take extensive travel time into account, it takes time to organize a strategy, to arrange interviews, to evaluate evidence, to decide on further actions based on interim findings, and so on. It can take weeks just to physically compose and produce a written report. The whole thing in its entirety can take months. A week is plenty long enough if all you’re looking for is a one-page whitewash and a check mark that says “investigation done”. I still think Flake deserves kudos for getting that much of a concession out of the committee. He did what he could. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5096 "2018-09-29T01:03:09Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Indeed - it would have been game over. > > And in a less partisan world than this, it would have been game over for Kavanaugh. That 48 GOP Senators still support his elevation to the Supreme Court after that bit of hysteria shows just how far down the rabbit hole these guys have gone. Yep. His outbursts and inability to remain calm and cool is all I need to know about Kavanaugh to know that he is not SCOTUS material. No doubt he’s upset, no doubt this right or wrong sucks. But. Um. No fucking way. This is NOT a man I would want to share a fox hole with. ---
**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 29, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5097 "2018-09-29T01:10:19Z")
Mark Judge’s lawyer says he will cooperate and answer any and all questions from FBI investigators: > **[Kavanaugh Friend Mark Judge Says He'll Cooperate With FBI If Investigation Opens](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/brett-kavanaugh-mark-judge-cooperate-possible-fbi-investigation_n_5bae82ffe4b027da00d32666)** > > "If the FBI or any law enforcement agency requests Mr. Judge’s cooperation, he will answer any and all questions posed to him," his lawyer said. So I’d say that the chances are pretty good that we’ll find out what Judge knows (or at least what he says he knows). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5098 "2018-09-29T01:12:34Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Yep. His outbursts and inability to remain calm and cool is all I need to know about Kavanaugh to know that he is not SCOTUS material. No doubt he’s upset, no doubt this right or wrong sucks. But. Um. No fucking way. This is NOT a man I would want to share a fox hole with. The word that comes to mind is “unstable”, and I mean that in the literal sense that he is probably classifiable in the DSM-5 taxonomy of mental disorders. Alternating between rage and insults and blubbering self-pity is not exactly what one looks for in a lifetime appointee to the highest court in the land. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5099 "2018-09-29T01:12:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Where did you get this last sentence from? Did it come from some FBI’s “Rules for Investigating”? From Flake? Or from your imagination? > > I understand that the FBI may WANT to. Your side would probably LIKE them to. But you didn’t say “want” or “like”. You said “need”. What, in your view, compels this “need”? A basic investigation of the allegations is simply not possible without interviewing the immediate circle that are identified as either being there or possibly having direct knowledge of being there. It “needs” those within that primary circle interviewed directly by skilled investigators. A competent investigation would include the extended circle of acquaintances who could provide corroboration for one or the other’s story. Now it certainly can be that questions about anything not _directly_ related to the charge will be considered outside the purview. He might not be able to provide evidence in either direction about the truthfulness or perjury of other answers given yesterday. But the FBI asking alleged witness and accessories directly about the specific event? That is a “need”. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5100 "2018-09-29T01:13:38Z")
Just saw a quick clip from MSNBC, female House members filing into the room to give the stink eye to the Senators voting, and then they left. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=254) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=256)