# 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:** 266
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5301 "2018-09-30T00:31:59Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > By the way, turns out he also lied about his credentials. He said he got into Yale with no connections (“I have no connections there. I got there by busting my tail."). > > He’s a legacy. [His grandfather went there](https://theintercept.com/2018/09/29/the-unbearable-dishonesty-of-brett-kavanaugh/). That was a such dumb, unnecessary lie. No wonder him and Trump get along so well. ---
**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 30, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5302 "2018-09-30T00:34:14Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > All of that is semantic issues that can be easily discounted. Even if everyone else meant throwing up from drinking, he could always say that he’s shocked that’s what they meant, as he always thought it was because of his weak stomach. Even if everyone else meant boof=sex, he could say he meant fart. There’s no way to prove those were lies that would rise to the level of perjury. Even the stuff about blacking out can be explained away as “How would I remember I blacked out? When you’re blacked out, you don’t retain memories. I’m shocked to find out I really did black out!” Now that I think about it, his struggling to come up with excuses for his misbehavior kinda reminds me of Principal Skinner lying about his “steamed hams”. ---
**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 30, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5303 "2018-09-30T00:40:42Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Did no one else think he was giving up on confirmation when he went off on those tantrums? The guy knows better. He was virtue signalling to bad people. He cannot have given that testimony and expected to stay in there. The fact that he is is just more insanity, that I don’t think he expected. I think he felt free to tantrum precisely because he believes he will be confirmed. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5304 "2018-09-30T00:50:39Z")
I never played “drinking games” at Yale. Drinking was considered too serious a business to make a game of. For what it’s worth, the Connecticut drinking age was 18 when I was there (1978-82). When Kavanaugh was there, it was 21. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5305 "2018-09-30T01:05:04Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > …Did no one else think he was giving up on confirmation when he went off on those tantrums? The guy knows better. He was virtue signalling to bad people. He cannot have given that testimony and expected to stay in there. The fact that he is is just more insanity, that I don’t think he expected. > [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I think he felt free to tantrum precisely because he believes he will be confirmed. Yes. He had been signaled by Trump fairly explicitly that he had to be more belligerent and aggressive if he wanted Trump’s support. And he delivered. As for the obvious lies: Trump loves that stuff. Just lying straight in the faces of The Elites (Senators, in this case) and daring them to do something about it. The ‘boffing means farting’ and the lie about getting into Yale on merit and the lies about never being affected by alcohol except by ‘going to sleep’…these just endeared him to Trump----which wins Kavanaugh the support of Senators who fear crossing Trump (and Trump’s deranged fans). The only part of Kavanaugh’s performance Thursday that I think could have been potentially harmful to him was the fake-crying. Trump loves whining but he doesn’t fake tears, and I don’t think he’s a fan of men who do that. But that one element is not enough to overcome Trump’s need of the ‘_you are above the law, Mr. President_’ philosophy Kavanaugh will bring to the court. The way it looks now, Kavanaugh’s worst problem is the possibility that enough citizens will keep demonstrating, and enough polls will come out saying that a vote for Kavanaugh will mean electoral defeat, that Senators up for re-election in November will fear a ‘yea’ vote will put them out of work. Trump’s threats to sic his fans on them may not overcome the effects of strong polls and large demonstrations. ---
**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 30, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5306 "2018-09-30T01:36:28Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I think he felt free to tantrum precisely because he believes he will be confirmed. That’s a very dark vision. Then it was a declaration of a war of force to de-democratize, albeit with a special overarching need to keep trump in office. I say this because his words are going to be very very complicated for scotus and for him if he is on the court. It will be horrible, until he is off. I thought he was bowing out. We’ll see, but probably not. These post truth events are starting to get murky. If he is confirmed it will never be said he tried to toss it in and bow out with a bang (and was shocked at the failure of his strategy) even if that’s what he was doing. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5307 "2018-09-30T02:08:44Z")
Occurs to me that one big point of refusing to postpone the proceedings might well have been to get it done before the public has time to react. A genuine hard-core Trumpnik probably expects to bask in the glow of approval. So, he’s likely to be cool with that part. McConnell knows better, he’s not an idealist, not even in the cramped and constipated Republican version. It could well be that whether any further investigation proves anything or not won’t matter. McConnell herds his cats by fear, he tells them that they will lose if they cross the line. A month ago, a valid threat, this time Wednesday, maybe not. Its a most upsetting moment when you thought you weren’t bluffing but suddenly, you are. I know how he feels, difference is I don’t deserve it. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5308 "2018-09-30T02:34:09Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > “Demonrats?” Way to make your opinions irrelevant right out of the gate. > > One important thing the week’s delay provides is time for “…polls, polls, polls, polls, polls, polls, polls…” (per a recent _[538.com](http://538.com)_ podcast). If (any non-partisan) polls are running more than a few percentage points negative re: Kavanaugh, he’s likely toast. But don’t cry; the Republicans will surely manage to ram through another conservative, probably even a devout Catholic, since that seems to be important to you. National polls on this issue don’t matter. Nobody cares what Californians or New Yorkers think of Kavanaugh. It’s people in places like West Virginia, Missouri, Maine, and Montana that matter. ---
**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 30, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5309 "2018-09-30T02:47:49Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > National polls on this issue don’t matter. Nobody cares what Californians or New Yorkers think of Kavanaugh. It’s people in places like West Virginia, Missouri, Maine, and Montana that matter. Since Kavanaugh’s confirmation is still very likely, in narrow political terms this is primarily a fight over how badly the GOP gets clobbered for it in the House and Senate. On that score, national polls certainly do matter. Toss-up House races, for example, tend to be somewhat close to national polling on issues. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5310 "2018-09-30T02:49:47Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > National polls on this issue don’t matter. Nobody cares what Californians or New Yorkers think of Kavanaugh. It’s people in places like West Virginia, Missouri, Maine, and Montana that matter. WV and Maine, maybe. McCaskill and Tester have already said they’re voting No on Kavanaugh. ---
**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 30, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5311 "2018-09-30T02:57:20Z")
Trump just tweeted that the limits on the investigation are fake news. LOL. What a clusterfuck this admin is. Which is likelier: McGahn didn’t ask Trump, or Trump is simply lying now? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5312 "2018-09-30T03:01:52Z")
Keep in mind that thump is hitting the road with a series of rallies. I’m pretty sure he will be telling his minions to demonstrate loud and long for Kav. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5313 "2018-09-30T03:05:37Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Trump just tweeted that the limits on the investigation are fake news. LOL. What a clusterfuck this admin is. Which is likelier: McGahn didn’t ask Trump, or Trump is simply lying now? Well, to be fair, Huffpo says the FBI can’t ask anyone questions about Kavs drinking habits. And CNN is reporting that Trump told the FBI they have “free rein”. I don’t know what to believe. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5314 "2018-09-30T03:07:53Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > National polls on this issue don’t matter. Nobody cares what Californians or New Yorkers think of Kavanaugh. It’s people in places like West Virginia, Missouri, Maine, and Montana that matter. Well, we’ll soon see, won’t we? ---
**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 30, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5315 "2018-09-30T03:23:43Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Trump just tweeted that the limits on the investigation are fake news. LOL. What a clusterfuck this admin is. Which is likelier: McGahn didn’t ask Trump, or Trump is simply lying now? Fox News reported the same thing. Are they Donnie’s fake news too? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5316 "2018-09-30T03:40:38Z")
One consequence of the Democrats using this tactic against Kavanaugh is that it may push him further to the right out of spite once he’s on the bench (if he does get there.) Prior to this, he was merely conservative, but not as much as Thomas or perhaps Gorsuch. ---
**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 30, 2018, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5317 "2018-09-30T04:30:20Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > One consequence of the Democrats using this tactic against Kavanaugh is that it may push him further to the right out of spite once he’s on the bench (if he does get there.) Prior to this, he was merely conservative, but not as much as Thomas or perhaps Gorsuch. He revealed himself to be a wild partisan hack on Thursday. That didn’t happen overnight. He does seem spiteful. But you’d be surprised how little difference there is between openly spiteful against liberals and the exact same way Alito votes. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5318 "2018-09-30T04:55:08Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > …I read an article yesterday, and I can’t find it now, that said that he lied about being legal to drink in Maryland when he was in high school. The article said Kavanaugh was 17 when the law was changed making the legal drinking age in Maryland 21. He didn’t “lie” about Maryland’s drinking age. He said some unspecified “seniors” could drink, which was accurate. He did not say he was of legal drinking age. It was more lawerly parsing, which confused you with it’s precision. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5319 "2018-09-30T05:10:22Z")
UltraVires, it seems like you’re a lawyer, no? Would you vote to make someone a partner in your firm if they interviewed/answered questions/made a self statement that was somewhere in the ballpark of Kavanaugh’s testimony to the congressional committee? Not a gotcha or being snarky, just a tangent question. And I’ll tell you upfront, I would disqualify if I was the interviewer. ---
**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 30, 2018, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5320 "2018-09-30T05:33:31Z")
[SNL presents Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHPqhhayCEI) in what might be the longest-running sketch they’ve ever done, clocking in at nearly 12 minutes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=265) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=267)