# 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:** 293
**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, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5842 "2018-10-03T21:33:31Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > One day off? This is what you are hanging onto? I’m not “hanging onto” anything. I’m correcting your error. Rather than accepting that correction and moving on, you decided to double down on 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, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5843 "2018-10-03T21:34:30Z")
> [@XT](#): > > 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. They could have simply given the FBI a time limit, and let them do their job subject only to that time limit. Instead they are actively limiting who the FBI speaks to. THOSE ARE NOT THE SAME THING. ---
**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, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5844 "2018-10-03T21:35:42Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > 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. See post #5828. The FBI are finishing today with a senate vote to happen this week. So they didn’t even get their week and were prevented from speaking to many potential people of interest. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5845 "2018-10-03T21:37:27Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > See post #5828. The FBI are finishing today with a senate vote to happen this week. > > So they didn’t even get their week and were prevented from speaking to many potential people of interest. Hopefully Trump’s behavior last night was the last nail in the Kavanaugh SCOTUS coffin. ---
**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, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5846 "2018-10-03T21:37:48Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > They could have simply given the FBI a time limit, and let them do their job subject only to that time limit. > > Instead they are actively limiting who the FBI speaks to. > > THOSE ARE NOT THE SAME THING. Well, they could have…but they are stupid. You attribute things to malice and deep thinking to folks who are idiots. Also, they have somewhat expanded the original limitation on who the FBI can speak to, while holding firm to the ridiculous time limitation, which should worry you more than what you are on about. Regardless of who the FBI interviews, the time table is the real indication that the fix is in. ---
**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, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5847 "2018-10-03T21:38:43Z")
> [@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? BS. The investigation should be on a timeline understandable to people while it’s going on, both dems and repubs both. We are paying for it. We know the FBI asks questions and then follows them up. If they didn’t do that they are not acting as the FBI. We also know that they are investigating Fords claims among others. They would be not be able to do their job, definitionally, without giving due time for Ford interviews and followups. Saying you can do that in 7 days is a scam. And we know that before we wait to see if they actually did it. ---
**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, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5848 "2018-10-03T21:39:44Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I’m not “hanging onto” anything. I’m correcting your error. Rather than accepting that correction and moving on, you decided to double down on it. What are you babbling about? ---
**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, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5849 "2018-10-03T21:40:25Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > 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? Good grief…is this a serious question? Are you seriously asking why Trump…freaking Trump!..is micromanaging and not letting the FBI…the FBI!..do their jobs? Have you not been following along with the Russian investigation? And the wrangling that Trump has been going through wrt the FBI? I’d be shocked if Trump wasn’t looking over the agents shoulders and bringing them to the stage boardroom to say ‘YOU ARE FIRED!’ every few minutes. ---
**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, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5850 "2018-10-03T21:41:40Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Well, they could have…but they are stupid. You attribute things to malice and deep thinking to folks who are idiots. Also, they have somewhat expanded the original limitation on who the FBI can speak to, while holding firm to the ridiculous time limitation, which should worry you more than what you are on about. Regardless of who the FBI interviews, the time table is the real indication that the fix is in. It’s not stupidity. The person directing the FBI investigation (Don McGahn) is an old friend of Kavenaugh’s, and is actively protecting him. The White House did expand the list of people the FBI could speak to. From 4 to 6. Wowee. The FBI could have completed a reasonable investigation in a week, if they’d been allowed to. They’re not being allowed to. ---
**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, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5851 "2018-10-03T21:42:38Z")
> [@XT](#): > > 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? ‘it **will** ultimately be up to the White House to greenlight a Ford interview’. Please note verb tense. Future. The thing is, that interview should have been ‘greenlighted’ from the get-go. You tell the FBI **what** they’re investigating (in this case, the more credible accusations of sexual assault on Kavanaugh’s part) and let them figure out **how**. They’re the pros. Could they have come up with some interesting findings in a week, findings that would or at least should have tipped the balance one way or the other? I’m sure they could have. But their hands have apparently been tied for the first five days of that week, and will probably remain tied. I have my doubts over whether this obvious joke of an investigation really is the best outcome for those of us who believe Kavanaugh doesn’t belong on any bench whatsoever. It may help rally public opinion, but the question is, will Collins and Flake and Murkowski consider it to be enough cover to vote Yes? They might well throw up their hands at this point and feel there’s nothing they _can_ do to create the circumstances for a vote to not happen, so they might as well do what McConnell says. ---
**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, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5852 "2018-10-03T21:42:42Z")
> [@XT](#): > > So, it’s political theater on both sides, since I’m fairly sure that everyone sees this, including the folks in this thread. This is a false equivalence. Sure both sides are playing politics but if the republicans agree to let a one week investigation happen but then seriously hobble how that investigation happens and don’t even let them ride out the full week then I’d say the political theater is squarely in the republicans court. Hell, the FBI was hobbled from the get-go when they did their first investigation. The whole thing is window dressing to make it look like something happened that didn’t. ---
**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, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5853 "2018-10-03T21:43:31Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Good grief…is this a serious question? Are you seriously asking why Trump…freaking Trump!..is micromanaging and not letting the FBI…the FBI!..do their jobs? Have you not been following along with the Russian investigation? And the wrangling that Trump has been going through wrt the FBI? > > I’d be shocked if Trump wasn’t looking over the agents shoulders and bringing them to the stage boardroom to say ‘YOU ARE FIRED!’ every few minutes. Dude, Trump isn’t the one managing the investigation. Kavenaugh’s old buddy Don McGahn is. Probably McGahn talks to Kavenaugh before approving anyone on the FBI interview list. ---
**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, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5854 "2018-10-03T21:44:54Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > See post #5828. The FBI are finishing today with a senate vote to happen this week. > > So they didn’t even get their week and were prevented from speaking to many potential people of interest. To be extra clear, the agreement was the FBI had _up to_ one week (i.e., they didn’t have to use the entire week if they did not need to). So technically, the FBI could conceivably be finished (nobody remembered nuthin’). But it’s clear they are just not allowed to interview anyone else and that’s what is ending the investigation. ---
**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, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5855 "2018-10-03T21:46:47Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > It’s not stupidity. The person directing the FBI investigation (Don McGahn) is an old friend of Kavenaugh’s, and is actively protecting him. > > The White House did expand the list of people the FBI could speak to. From 4 to 6. Wowee. > > The FBI could have completed a reasonable investigation in a week, if they’d been allowed to. They’re not being allowed to. I disagree. The FBI couldn’t do a reasonable investigation in a week. Not and actually have enough data to do anything substantial, not unless there is a lot more evidence than we’ve seen so far. Untangling something that happened over 30 years ago and picking through the various story threads AND weeding out folks and their motives for saying one thing or another takes time. YMMV, and I’d guess you’d be singing a different tune if Trump and his boys had more than one brain cell between them and just allowed the FBI to interview whoever…in week. My WAG is it would then be you telling all that the compressed time frame is the actual issue… ---
**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, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5856 "2018-10-03T21:48:24Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Dude, Trump isn’t the one managing the investigation. Kavenaugh’s old buddy Don McGahn is. > > Probably McGahn talks to Kavenaugh before approving anyone on the FBI interview list. Dude. Trump is the ‘Whitehouse’ who is setting the parameters. I know you have a hard on about McGahn, but Trump is the one pulling the strings. It’s his monkey and his circus. If your boy McGahn is playing along, well, that’s all well and good, but he’s the monkey and Trump is the organ grinder. ---
**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, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5857 "2018-10-03T21:48:52Z")
This is probably a worrying sign for Dems: > [@](#): > > [Manchin on Kavanaugh: I’m looking at the gentleman as an adult from 22 to 53. 31 years of official service. I’m looking at him as a father, as a person in the community…I mean I’m just looking at the human side of it also I think every aspect has to be looked at.](https://twitter.com/ChadPergram/status/1047595501988864000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) “gentleman” “father” “person in the community” “human side”. I fear for Manchin’s safety. ---
**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, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5858 "2018-10-03T21:49:29Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I disagree. The FBI couldn’t do a reasonable investigation in a week. Not and actually have enough data to do anything substantial, not unless there is a lot more evidence than we’ve seen so far. Untangling something that happened over 30 years ago and picking through the various story threads AND weeding out folks and their motives for saying one thing or another takes time. YMMV, and I’d guess you’d be singing a different tune if Trump and his boys had more than one brain cell between them and just allowed the FBI to interview whoever…in week. My WAG is it would then be you telling all that the compressed time frame is the actual issue… Now you’re just making shit up about me, and I don’t appreciate it. There are something like 30,000 people working for the FBI. They could have gotten a lot done in a week. They had people literally lining up to speak to them and provide them evidence. The White house presumably was aware of how much the FBI could accomplish, and that’s why they forbid them from speaking to more than 6 people. ---
**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, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5859 "2018-10-03T21:50:51Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Dude. Trump is the ‘Whitehouse’ who is setting the parameters. Wrong. ---
**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, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5860 "2018-10-03T21:50:54Z")
> [@XT](#): > > My WAG is it would then be you telling all that the compressed time frame is the actual issue… The compressed time frame is an issue because we only recently learned that the initial investigation into Kavanaugh (the one that is routine and done as a matter of course) was hobbled from the get-go and nowhere near thorough. Frankly I had no idea the White House restricted the FBI in this way when doing investigations till the last few days and it is outrageous the White House can do this (and that goes same no matter who is in there). So the whole investigation is a sham and yeah, giving them a week to do what should have been done when they had months is ridiculous and a mockery. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2018, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/5861 "2018-10-03T21:53:27Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > This is probably a worrying sign for Dems: > > “gentleman” “father” “person in the community” “human side”. > > I fear for Manchin’s safety. I don’t. Nor do I understand why you would say that. On an unrelated note, I assume he knows the people of his state more than I do, but I would think a vote to confirm Kavanaugh would be handing the seat to the Republicans. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=292) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=294)