# 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:** 290
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5782 "2018-10-03T17:35:07Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Sure, that’s possible, but it means that vacations are a good enough reason, but testifying before the Senate isn’t. I suspect many folks would disagree that these priorities are correct. This is bizarre. Are you under the impression that she did not fly to testify before the senate? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5783 "2018-10-03T17:41:42Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Ummm… gee… I don’t know… _\_ > > Could it be because they aren’t interested in what she has to say because the outcome of the so-called “investigation” has already been decided? > > Nah. That couldn’t be it. :dubious: What makes you think they won’t? Remember this would not be the Republicans shying away from attacking a bookish-looking mother on national TV, this would be investigators with hard questions and who would challenge every incomplete answer. If its a “fix”, they would probably _want_ to interview her. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5784 "2018-10-03T18:00:05Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > They need to _ **talk to Ford** _ to do what Flake requested, right? > > How is it that they haven’t talked to her or even called her attorney, and it’s already Wed? I don’t think Flake ever specified that particularly, but to attempt to answer your second question, two possibilities come to mind: 1. they don’t feel like they have to talk to her further, as they already have her statement and the testimony in front of the committee 2. they’re saving her interview for the end, after they’ve gathered other background information ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5785 "2018-10-03T18:02:32Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Ummm… gee… I don’t know… _\_ > > Could it be because they aren’t interested in what she has to say because the outcome of the so-called “investigation” has already been decided? > > Nah. That couldn’t be it. :dubious: > **[Jeff Flake Defends Kavanaugh: 'Hard To Say What Drinking To Excess Is'](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/flake-defends-kavanaugh-hard-to-say-what-drinking-to-excess-is_n_5bb4d31ce4b01470d04d7cbe)** > > Brett Kavanaugh lied under oath about his drinking — a lot. Jeff Flake doesn't want to judge. Flake is flaking out. If he won’t demand they talk to ford and kavanaugh, and he is not even running again, then he is just ascared of what life is like as an ex republican pol now. What kind of thing is that to be ascared of? Flake. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5786 "2018-10-03T18:06:34Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Sure, that’s possible, but it means that vacations are a good enough reason, but testifying before the Senate isn’t. I suspect many folks would disagree that these priorities are correct. OK. So what? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5787 "2018-10-03T18:07:35Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 1. they’re saving her interview for the end, after they’ve gathered other background information Because of course she’d have nothing to say that might suggest other people they might interview. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ETA: They don’t know what ‘the end’ is until they get there. That is, to the point where either there are no more leads, or any additional leads are almost surely superfluous and redundant. (But they probably have to check even those to be sure.) ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5788 "2018-10-03T18:07:52Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I don’t think Flake ever specified that particularly, but to attempt to answer your second question, two possibilities come to mind: > > 1. they don’t feel like they have to talk to her further, as they already have her statement and the testimony in front of the committee > > 2. they’re saving her interview for the end, after they’ve gathered other background information The meaning behind flakes motion was for the FBI to talk to ford and kavanaugh at the very minimum. That’s what it means to have the FBI look at “the sexual abuse claims of Dr Ford and others in the matter of the kavanaugh confirmation.” It can’t be spun or painted in any other way. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5789 "2018-10-03T18:09:53Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I don’t think Flake ever specified that particularly, but to attempt to answer your second question, two possibilities come to mind: > > 1. they don’t feel like they have to talk to her further, as they already have her statement and the testimony in front of the committee > > 2. they’re saving her interview for the end, after they’ve gathered other background information Huh? They are saving her for last? What’s your calendar on this so that everyone gets a hearing and Mitch gets a vote by Friday? It’s 2:00 PM wed right now. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5790 "2018-10-03T18:18:43Z")
Holy-crap, that man mocking Ford in front of his base of hypnotized people. The cheers from the crowd make me want to puke. Seriously? What is this world coming to? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5791 "2018-10-03T18:23:08Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Huh? They are saving her for last? What’s your calendar on this so that everyone gets a hearing and Mitch gets a vote by Friday? It’s 2:00 PM wed right now. FBI could interview her this afternoon, or tomorrow morning, and have their investigation done sometime on Thursday. If Mitch files the cloture motion today, it ripens tomorrow, and can be voted on Friday at 12:01 am, starting the 30-hour debate clock, allowing for a final up-or-down vote on Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5792 "2018-10-03T18:44:38Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > It goes to her credibility as a witness. Someone who has a genuine fear of flying doesn’t jet off to the South Pacific (or wherever) on vacation. > > Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, not stressful. Do you have any evidence at all that this is true? ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5793 "2018-10-03T18:50:41Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > It goes to her credibility as a witness. Someone who has a genuine fear of flying doesn’t jet off to the South Pacific (or wherever) on vacation. My SO has a fear of flying and has in fact jetted off to the South Pacific on vacation, just as Ford jetted off to DC to testify. So you’re clearly wrong. Don’t bother to admit your error and apologize, though. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5794 "2018-10-03T18:52:02Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > FBI could interview her this afternoon, or tomorrow morning, and have their investigation done sometime on Thursday. > > If Mitch files the cloture motion today, it ripens tomorrow, and can be voted on Friday at 12:01 am, starting the 30-hour debate clock, allowing for a final up-or-down vote on Saturday. Dr Ford is the one making the claim. They need to talk to her first. In fact this has been settled in this thread already by righties. It’s the only way to do it fairly. You talk to her first and then talk to the others and then the “accused” as a baseline. Then there are follow ups. We had 10 pages on this from you if I recall. Did you forget already? OK so after they talk to Dr Ford, then it’s Thursday PM. Then you got the accused, and the witnesses. I’m not seeing a vote by Friday, unless they are going for the metaphorical “attempted rape” strategy. It would be appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5795 "2018-10-03T18:52:38Z")
It takes a big dose of valium to get me on a plane. I feel for her. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5796 "2018-10-03T18:58:28Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > OK. So what? So we need to look at her high school yearbook to see if she forgot anything else. Also because “are you afraid of flying” implies “is flying afraid of you”. Also, boufing. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5797 "2018-10-03T19:07:55Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Dr Ford is the one making the claim. They need to talk to her first. … If we assume that Ford’s attorney is telling the truth and the FBI did not talk to her first, I think that’s pretty convincing evidence that you’re wrong and the FBI doesn’t agree with your opinion. > [@drad\_dog](#): > > OK so after they talk to Dr Ford, then it’s Thursday PM. Then you got the accused, and the witnesses. I’m not seeing a vote by Friday, unless they are going for the metaphorical “attempted rape” strategy. It would be appropriate. I never said they’d vote by Friday. If you read my possible timeline, I said they might vote on Saturday. McConnell said there would be “a vote” “this week”. Where did you get this obsession with Friday? ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5798 "2018-10-03T19:10:46Z")
[Dr. Ford’s friend says she didn’t receive any advice from her regarding a polygraph test.](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/christine-blasey-ford-friend-coach-polygraph_us_5bb4dd9be4b01470d04d963e) ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5799 "2018-10-03T19:11:39Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > It goes to her credibility as a witness. Someone who has a genuine fear of flying doesn’t jet off to the South Pacific (or wherever) on vacation. > > Vacations are supposed to be relaxing, not stressful. I realize this might completely blow your mind, but for some people, it’s the takeoff and landing that are terrifying, so the length of the journey, whether you are crossing an ocean or a state, doesn’t make much difference. I know a number of people who are willing to trade a few minutes of fear for the chance to experience a new culture or see amazing sights. I wonder if perhaps Dr. Ford hoped that some technological solution could be worked out for the testimony before eventually biting the bullet and flying out. ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5800 "2018-10-03T19:11:43Z")
If he had commonly exhibited any type of restraint in the past I would almost wonder if Trump is intentionally trying to sink the nomination and trying to salvage it by pandering to the fears of his base. I think that after this weekends statements and the response from the swing votes that the likelihood of a confirmation is much lower than just two days ago. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5801 "2018-10-03T19:13:41Z")
Looks like the GOP is going to release _something_ from the FBI today. Not clear if that means the FBI is done or not, or if this is the complete “report.” But since this news is coming from GOP, I could guess it’s helpful to them to initiate a narrative. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=289) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=291)