# 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:** 3
**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 4, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/41 "2018-09-04T16:57:36Z")
I agree that the Ds need to read into the congressional record a precise description of the Merrick Garland nomination and outcome, as part of this process, but apart from that I don’t think they have actual business at the hearing. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/42 "2018-09-04T17:00:44Z")
The Dems’ function here, other than to hope enough R’s say “Know what? Fuck him”, is to continue to appear to be the grownups in the room. If they walk out, even figuratively, they abandon that. Continuing to press for relevant background information regarding a lifetime appointment while the Reps stonewall it is, if nothing else, effective brand management. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/43 "2018-09-04T17:14:29Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > \*You already agreed \*it was just an act of personal spite. :rolleyes: > > It’s okay to say you were wrong, really it is. An act of spite that was carried out _by participating in the political process_. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/44 "2018-09-04T17:16:51Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The Dems’ function here, other than to hope enough R’s say “Know what? Fuck him”, is to continue to appear to be the grownups in the room. … Is that what you think [they did this morning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAVvjdeBkFQ)? “appear to be the grownups in the room”? LMAO ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/45 "2018-09-04T17:19:37Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > If it’s already a done deal then why do democrats participate at all? … They want their 15 minutes in the spotlight. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/46 "2018-09-04T17:31:55Z")
The country is bigger than you \*or \*your party. This stuff _matters_. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/47 "2018-09-04T17:39:02Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > … This stuff _matters_. What stuff matters? The screeching protesters? I disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/48 "2018-09-04T17:40:37Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Is that what you think [they did this morning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAVvjdeBkFQ)? “appear to be the grownups in the room”? LMAO You seem to be confusing a random citizen protestor with the Democratic representatives seated in Congress. I will refrain from characterizing why that might be the case for you in order to avoid a warning from the Mods. ---
**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 4, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/49 "2018-09-04T17:42:11Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The Dems’ function here, other than to hope enough R’s say “Know what? Fuck him”, is to continue to appear to be the grownups in the room. If they walk out, even figuratively, they abandon that. Continuing to press for relevant background information regarding a lifetime appointment while the Reps stonewall it is, if nothing else, effective brand management. I’m still not clear on what Rs do if Ds keep requesting the pages. Do they strike a gavel and threaten contempt? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/50 "2018-09-04T17:44:42Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I’m still not clear on what Rs do if Ds keep requesting the pages. Do they strike a gavel and threaten contempt? Grassley probably just rules the motion out of order. Were the protests by involved citizens this morning anything like the staged “riot” \*by Republican congressional staffers \*in Miami to stop completion of the vote count in Florida in 2000? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/51 "2018-09-04T17:46:01Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I’m still not clear on what Rs do if Ds keep requesting the pages. Do they strike a gavel and threaten contempt? Each Senator (on the Judiciary Committee) is given a certain amount of time to question the nominee. If they want to spend their time repeating “I request additional documents”, they’re free to do so, although I imagine most don’t think that’s an effective use of their limited time. At the end of the time, the expectation is that they quit speaking and the next Senator commences with their questioning. If they don’t cease speaking, I suppose there’s some process to remove them from the committee hearing, but I don’t know exactly what that is. ---
**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 4, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/52 "2018-09-04T17:46:36Z")
Do the Senate Republicans have the power to start/end confirmation hearings on Kav, or even hold the outright confirmation vote, whenever they want? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/53 "2018-09-04T17:47:39Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > You seem to be confusing a random citizen protestor with the Democratic representatives seated in Congress. I will refrain from characterizing why that might be the case for you in order to avoid a warning from the Mods. I’m not confusing them at all. Both random citizens and Democratic representatives were throwing tantrums this morning. Although, to their credit, the senators avoided screeching. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/54 "2018-09-04T17:48:42Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Do the Senate Republicans have the power to start/end confirmation hearings on Kav, or even hold the outright confirmation vote, whenever they want? More or less. I believe the minority party can demand up to 30 hours of debate before a vote. So, the R’s can schedule it for whenever they want, with the understanding that it may take place 30 hours later. ---
**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 4, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/55 "2018-09-04T18:05:10Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Each Senator (on the Judiciary Committee) is given a certain amount of time to question the nominee. If they want to spend their time repeating “I request additional documents”, they’re free to do so, although I imagine most don’t think that’s an effective use of their limited time. At the end of the time, the expectation is that they quit speaking and the next Senator commences with their questioning. If they don’t cease speaking, I suppose there’s some process to remove them from the committee hearing, but I don’t know exactly what that is. It’s hard to imagine what an “effective use” of time is when you are not having any effect anyway. I’d say your idea is as good as any. I would modify it to use readings for the record having to do with: stealing both of the seats; the “Unindicted coconspirator” infection in the govt; etc. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/56 "2018-09-04T18:05:28Z")
[Senator Ben Sasse is doing great](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/09/04/watch_live_judge_brett_kavanaugh_supreme_court_confirmation_hearing_day_one.html). ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/57 "2018-09-04T18:08:01Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > It’s hard to imagine what an “effective use” of time is when you are not having any effect anyway. … Something that gets them deeper into the pockets of their liberal donors, or a 10-second clip on some left-leaning media outlet like CNN or MSNBC. Better yet if something they say catches so much attention that they get a 3-minute televised interview with a friendly newscaster. Something like that. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/58 "2018-09-04T18:41:30Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Harry left it in place for Supreme Court nominees. Turtleman burned it down to get the stolen Gorsuch nomination go through. Nonsense. The nomination wasn’t stolen. The Senate declined to give their consent. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/59 "2018-09-04T18:42:12Z")
McConnell \*is \*The Senate? Remarkable. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/60 "2018-09-04T18:46:12Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > Kavanaugh now proclaims wide executive privileges, but if a Democrat ever wins the White House, you can bet Kavanaugh’s decisions will then be against executive privilege. Kavanaugh is not part of the executive branch, and cannot claim executive privilege. President Trump hasn’t claimed executive privilege in this matter, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=4)