# 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:** 292
**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, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5822 "2018-10-03T20:13:03Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > I’m pretty sure the FBI was limited, by agreement, to current credible allegations of sexual assault. > > So anyone calling in to tell the FBI about drinking, is going to be ignored by the agents doing this background check with its limited scope. That makes sense, right? > > I wouldn’t understand not interviewing witnesses to the Ford/Ramirez allegations, unless it only had to do with getting this done in one week. Which is where I hope Wray will inform me. The people I listed above (classmates of Kavenaugh) were going to the FBI with evidence of the assault of Ramirez. They were ignored. ---
**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, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5823 "2018-10-03T20:18:11Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The Left has moved a long ways from “trust the professionals” that they were parroting a few days ago. Don McGahn, the White House lawyer who’s both aiding Kavanaugh’s efforts to be confirmed, and setting the parameters for the FBI investigation, is a professional we should trust? Who on the left said that? ETA: Are you just throwing stuff at the wall, hoping some of it will stick, or what? Do you have an actual point to make here? ---
**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, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5824 "2018-10-03T20:46:26Z")
According to [news reports](https://www.vox.com/2018/10/3/17932338/brett-kavanaugh-christine-ford-fbi-investigation), the FBI has spoken to only 6 people. Also noted in that article: “Sources have told Bloomberg that the FBI has not done interviews with Ford or Kavanaugh because the White House hasn’t granted it the authority to conduct them.” So apparently the White House is actively limiting the people the FBI is allowed to speak to. Why? (That last question was a joke–I think we all know why) ---
**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, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5825 "2018-10-03T20:51:41Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 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. > > 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? It was mcconnell who said the vote was going to be Friday. Never heard him give a qualification or addendum to that. Why do you answer each point in this thread with nonsense? You understand where we are going. ---
**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, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5826 "2018-10-03T20:59:03Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > It was mcconnell who said the vote was going to be Friday. Never heard him give a qualification or addendum to that. Why do you answer each point in this thread with nonsense? You understand where we are going. When did he say “Friday”? I can provide quotes where he said “this week”. Here is one: > [@Mitch McConnell](#): > > [The Senate will vote on this nomination this week](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/mcconnell-denounces-kavanaugh-feeding-frenzy-doubles-down-vote-week-n916206) It’s not “nonsense”. It’s a factual correction because “where [you] are going” is factually wrong. ---
**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, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5827 "2018-10-03T21:09:08Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 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. Oooorrrrr…it’s good evidence that the FBI is being prevented from speaking to Ford. Because their investigation is unreasonably restricted. Because the White House is afraid of what they would find if they were allowed to do their job. Though, if the FBI were being prevented from doing their job, it might get leaked to the press… Seen anything in the press recently? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5828 "2018-10-03T21:15:04Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > How do we know the FBI is being limited by anyone? There’s this from today: - [Avenatti: We still haven’t heard from the FBI](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/409612-avenatti-we-still-havent-heard-from-the-fbi) And this, also from today: - [FBI has not contacted dozens of potential sources in Kavanaugh investigation](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/dozens-potential-sources-information-have-not-been-contacted-fbi-kavanaugh-n916146) And the real kicker (also from today): - [FBI Lacks White House Approval to Talk to Kavanaugh and Ford, Sources Say](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-03/fbi-said-to-lack-white-house-approval-to-talk-to-kavanaugh-ford) ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5829 "2018-10-03T21:17:41Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Oooorrrrr…it’s good evidence that the FBI is being prevented from speaking to Ford. Because their investigation is unreasonably restricted. Because the White House is afraid of what they would find if they were allowed to do their job. > > Though, if the FBI were being prevented from doing their job, it might get leaked to the press… > > Seen anything in the press recently? Oooorrrr…the FBI just hasn’t gotten to Ford yet. From CNN: [https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html) > [@](#): > > A source familiar with the work so far says the FBI is currently in information collection mode. Just because they haven’t spoken with Ford doesn’t mean they won’t eventually want to do so after all key info is collected — it’s not unusual to wait to interview a key witness after other witnesses have been interviewed — that said it will ultimately be up to the White House to greenlight a Ford interview. > > The FBI could complete its interviews Wednesday and provide investigative summaries to the White House and Senators soon after. You should really wait to spring this gotcha until after the process is complete. If, at the end the FBI doesn’t interview Ford, THEN it would be a great time to point out the obvious, which is that an investigation wouldn’t be complete, even one just for fact finding, if they don’t do so. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5830 "2018-10-03T21:23:37Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Oooorrrr…the FBI just hasn’t gotten to Ford yet. From CNN: [https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html) > > You should really wait to spring this gotcha until after the process is complete. If, at the end the FBI doesn’t interview Ford, THEN it would be a great time to point out the obvious, which is that an investigation wouldn’t be complete, even one just for fact finding, if they don’t do so. It would also be too late to do anything about it. ---
**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, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5831 "2018-10-03T21:24:41Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Oooorrrr…the FBI just hasn’t gotten to Ford yet. From CNN: [https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html) > > You should really wait to spring this gotcha until after the process is complete. If, at the end the FBI doesn’t interview Ford, THEN it would be a great time to point out the obvious, which is that an investigation wouldn’t be complete, even one just for fact finding, if they don’t do so. Funny how your own cite, even the bit you quoted, said that the White House hasn’t given the FBI permission to talk to Ford. ---
**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, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5832 "2018-10-03T21:25:00Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > When did he say “Friday”? I can provide quotes where he said “this week”. Here is one: > > It’s not “nonsense”. It’s a factual correction because “where [you] are going” is factually wrong. One day off? This is what you are hanging onto? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5833 "2018-10-03T21:25:46Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Oooorrrr…the FBI just hasn’t gotten to Ford yet. From CNN: [https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/03/politics/christine-blasey-ford-brett-kavanaugh-fbi-interview/index.html) > > You should really wait to spring this gotcha until after the process is complete. If, at the end the FBI doesn’t interview Ford, THEN it would be a great time to point out the obvious, which is that an investigation wouldn’t be complete, even one just for fact finding, if they don’t do so. Oooorrrr…see the post just above yours (#5323). Also: > [@](#): > > “We’ll have an F.B.I. report this week, and we’ll have a vote this week,” an emphatic Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, told reporters after the Republicans’ weekly policy luncheon. > > SOURCE: F.B.I. to End Kavanaugh Inquiry as Soon as Wednesday, With Vote Coming This Week So when do you suppose the FBI will get around to it? ---
**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, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5834 "2018-10-03T21:26:51Z")
> [@XT](#): > > You should really wait to spring this gotcha until after the process is complete. If, at the end the FBI doesn’t interview Ford, THEN it would be a great time to point out the obvious, which is that an investigation wouldn’t be complete, even one just for fact finding, if they don’t do so. What if they talk to Ford last, then, based on that interview, realize there’s other people they should talk to? Did you miss the reports that said the White House has limited the number of people the FBI can talk to to 4 (now updated to 6)? Do you really not see anything weird going on here? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5835 "2018-10-03T21:27:08Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > It would also be too late to do anything about it. Naw. The point, I assume, is to discredit the entire process and point out that the fix was in. This would actually be the best outcome for Dems. If Trump et al had a brain cell between the, they would ensure that the FBI must interview Ford (and Kavanaugh). It would take the wind out of their sails (though I can see that they are setting up for that anyway, since the FBI has only interviewed a few people, so obviously if they interviewed a bunch more they would find…something). Basically, to me this is all bread and circuses. There is little chance the FBI could or would find anything on this compressed time scale, especially since they aren’t doing a criminal investigation. So, it’s political theater on both sides, since I’m fairly sure that everyone sees this, including the folks in this thread. ---
**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, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5836 "2018-10-03T21:28:27Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > There’s this from today: > > - [Avenatti: We still haven’t heard from the FBI](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/409612-avenatti-we-still-havent-heard-from-the-fbi) > > And this, also from today: > > - [FBI has not contacted dozens of potential sources in Kavanaugh investigation](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/dozens-potential-sources-information-have-not-been-contacted-fbi-kavanaugh-n916146) > > And the real kicker (also from today): > > - [FBI Lacks White House Approval to Talk to Kavanaugh and Ford, Sources Say](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-03/fbi-said-to-lack-white-house-approval-to-talk-to-kavanaugh-ford) Got it, thanks. To be clear (and I wasn’t), the Senate agreed (and the President is following them) that this would be a one week investigation into current credible allegations of sexual assault. So I realize the FBI is limited in that way. I personally, don’t have a problem with that limited scope compromise. With that said, the FBI should _not_ be limited in who/how many people they interview within the one week as long as it’s related to the current credible sexual assault allegations (this includes at a minimum Ford/Ramirez). Finally, the week is a big deal. And that alone could prevent the FBI from interviewing its “wish list” of witnesses. However, that does not appear to be the case based on the reporting. I don’t know who the FBI would want to interview, but we do know they are limited. I can’t imagine a scenario wherein the FBI would not want to speak with Kavanaugh. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5837 "2018-10-03T21:30:00Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Funny how your own cite, even the bit you quoted, said that the White House hasn’t given the FBI permission to talk to Ford. Why is that funny, to you? Did I say that Trump et al weren’t directing the investigation? And it doesn’t say that the White House hasn’t given permission…it says that ‘it will ultimately be up to the White House to greenlight a Ford interview’. If they don’t, then you are absolutely correct. And I didn’t say otherwise. If they do, then you’ve kind of jumped the gun, no? ---
**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, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5838 "2018-10-03T21:31:32Z")
> [@XT](#): > > NThere is little chance the FBI could or would find anything on this compressed time scale, especially since they aren’t doing a criminal investigation. So, it’s political theater on both sides, since I’m fairly sure that everyone sees this, including the folks in this thread. If there was little chance that the FBI would find anything, then the White House wouldn’t limit their investigation. The only reason that the White House would have to limit the investigation is if they knew the FBI would find something. The person at the White House charged with directing the FBI investigation is an old friend of Kavenaugh’s. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5839 "2018-10-03T21:31:33Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Oooorrrr…see the post just above yours (#5323). > > Also: > > So when do you suppose the FBI will get around to it? I saw the post above mine. Again, if they don’t get the ‘greenlight’ and turn in their report without interviewing Ford then you and the others will be correct. If they actually stick to a timetable of finishing today, then it seems unlikely they will…so rejoice! You will be vindicated. ---
**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, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5840 "2018-10-03T21:32:42Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Why is that funny, to you? Did I say that Trump et al weren’t directing the investigation? And it doesn’t say that the White House hasn’t given permission…it says that ‘it will ultimately be up to the White House to greenlight a Ford interview’. If they don’t, then you are absolutely correct. And I didn’t say otherwise. If they do, then you’ve kind of jumped the gun, no? Why is the White house micromanaging the investigation? Why are they managing who the FBI speaks to? Why aren’t they letting the FBI do their job? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5841 "2018-10-03T21:33:03Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > If there was little chance that the FBI would find anything, then the White House wouldn’t limit their investigation. > > The only reason that the White House would have to limit the investigation is if they knew the FBI would find something. > > The person at the White House charged with directing the FBI investigation is an old friend of Kavenaugh’s. So your speculation goes. Personally, I think they put limits on it because they want to push it through and feel they are under a time limit to get this done or get him moved out so they can put in a new candidate. We are both just speculating, however. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=291) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=293)