# 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:** 301
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6002 "2018-10-04T16:04:39Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Absolutely. > > Tomorrow, they will vote to end the debate (not a vote to confirm Kav). If they need more time, they should vote no - don’t end the debate - we need more time to debate/view this FBI report, etc. This pathetic joke of an investigation didn’t even rise to being a sham - the only people fooled by it were those that wanted all along to be fooled, wanted just that tiny fig leaf to justify their ‘Yes’ vote. They don’t need more time, because they don’t care that the investigation was a joke. Worthless gits. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6003 "2018-10-04T16:05:39Z")
Stolen from @questions4sarah on Twitter: “No no, you misunderstood. I didn’t say I wanted a one week investigation. I said I wanted one weak investigation.” - Jeff Flake ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6004 "2018-10-04T16:13:06Z")
I wonder what this year’s Georgetown Prop yearbook is going to look like. Lots of: **Dylan Chumworthy** III: 4 years, school choir. Soup kitchen, feeding the homeless. Summers in Guatemala building schoolrooms. People I most admire: Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Anita Hill. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6005 "2018-10-04T16:17:37Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I wonder what this year’s Georgetown Prop yearbook is going to look like. Lots of: > > **Dylan Chumworthy** III: 4 years, school choir. Soup kitchen, feeding the homeless. Summers in Guatemala building schoolrooms. People I most admire: Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Anita Hill. It could go the other direction, too: Donald J. Moneybags: Yep, I grabbed 'em by the pussy. What, like THAT admission is going to hold up my career? ---
**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:** [October 4, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6006 "2018-10-04T16:23:45Z")
**Answer: No.** > [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Senator Flake says, “No additional corroborating information”. He always agrees with Collins assessment it was a thorough investigation. Remember, Flake previously said he was a “yes” but wanted the FBI to investigate to make it a more fair process. Nah, he did it to cover his ass. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6007 "2018-10-04T16:27:08Z")
Certainly looks like he’s going to be confirmed right now. Terribly depressing for those of us who value fighting sexual assault and rape far above partisan politics. But from a partisan perspective, there’s a possibility that this could be the absolute best case scenario for the Democrats. If he is confirmed, and then additional accusers or evidence comes out, then that could motivate voters to turn both houses blue, and if there’s enough evidence to be undeniable that Kavanaugh’s guilty of both sexual assault and lying about it, then he could be forced to resign, leaving an open SCOTUS seat for the next two years. Probably not going to happen, but a possibility. Certainly if the Democrats win either the House or Senate, they will use their supoena power to investigate Kavanaugh both for sexual assault and for perjury. ---
**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 4, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6008 "2018-10-04T16:27:40Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > This pathetic joke of an investigation didn’t even rise to being a sham - the only people fooled by it were those that wanted all along to be fooled, wanted just that tiny fig leaf to justify their ‘Yes’ vote. > > They don’t need more time, because they don’t care that the investigation was a joke. Worthless gits. I hear ya. But I also think he was going to be confirmed without any FBI involvement. I think getting some FBI involvement, especially talking to Judge (for 3 hours) and Ramirez is better than having never done that. I think they spoke with 10(?) people total. I’m guessing nobody remembered anything helpful. Is that enough, I don’t know. Doesn’t seem like it to me. This is what a majority compromising with a minority looks like, but I’m glad Flake did it. If he’s satisfied (and the rest), then that’s it. The Senators all know the same things we know (and more), and a majority will vote to confirm. All I can do is vote them out. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6009 "2018-10-04T16:33:40Z")
From a tactical perspective, the Democrats need to label the Republican party as the party of sexual assault in the same way the Republicans successfully labeled the Democrats as the party of big government. Every single campaign ad critical of a Republican should tie them to admitted sexual abuser/consent violator Trump and the Senators who fought against a real and thorough investigation into Kavanaugh. Every single TV appearance by a candidate or congressperson/senator should hammer this home and end with the phrase “The party of sexual assault must be defeated”. ---
**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 4, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6010 "2018-10-04T16:33:57Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > **Answer: No.** > > Nah, [Flake] did it to cover his ass. Sure. But if Mark Judge (or anyone) had said he remembered the incident, I’d wager Flake would vote No. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6011 "2018-10-04T16:39:43Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > So after the FBI investigation, what will be the new Dem talking point? My offer: > > The FBI investigation was wholly inadequate and rushed. It is likely that Trump interfered to short circuit the process and only did a cursory investigation. He obstructed justice. We need a special prosecutor! I called it on 9-28-18 prior to the beginning of the FBI investigation. ---
**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 4, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6012 "2018-10-04T16:43:59Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I called it on 9-28-18 prior to the beginning of the FBI investigation. That’s fair, as long as the WH house releases the parameters it put on the FBI prior to the investigation. Fair? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6013 "2018-10-04T16:45:27Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I called it on 9-28-18 prior to the beginning of the FBI investigation. What, do you want a cookie? Do _you_ think this investigation was in any way adequate? In your professional opinion as lawyer, if this was the investigation your client got in their case, would you be happy? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6014 "2018-10-04T16:46:51Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > I hear ya. But I also think he was going to be confirmed without any FBI involvement. I think getting some FBI involvement, especially talking to Judge (for 3 hours) and Ramirez is better than having never done that. I’ve got to disagree. This joke of an investigation is worse than none at all. It was one thing to say “we don’t need any more investigation,” but to say you do, then be satisfied by this, is a far deeper level of dishonesty. And McConnell’s rush to a vote with only the minimum required time to digest the latest findings, then debate them, just says this is a naked power play. It says they don’t care about the Supreme Court as an institution, they just want someone there who will be a reliable vote from their POV. Our courts don’t have any army to enforce their edicts; they rely on having the respect of the rest of our society. If the Republicans don’t respect it - if they regard the Supreme Court as just a pawn in their power game - then they’re asking a lot of Dems to continue to respect the Court. No reason for the Dems to not add a couple more Justices when we control things. Then the GOP can take it to thirteen someday, if by then they haven’t just decided to ignore the Supreme Court’s rulings if they don’t like them. Not to say this will happen, but it’s a hell of a lot more imaginable now than it was just three years ago. > [@](#): > > All I can do is vote them out. I’m with you there. We’ll sure as hell try. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6015 "2018-10-04T16:51:55Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’ve got to disagree. This joke of an investigation is worse than none at all. It was one thing to say “we don’t need any more investigation,” but to say you do, then be satisfied by this, is a far deeper level of dishonesty. I totally agree. By doing a sham investigation, it gives his supporters ammo to falsely claim an investigation was done. It’s at the level of “We investigated ourselves and found no evidence of wrongdoing.” ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6016 "2018-10-04T16:52:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Probably not going to happen, but a possibility. Certainly if the Democrats win either the House or Senate, they will use their supoena power to investigate Kavanaugh both for sexual assault and for perjury. I think the perjury is what they should focus on. We can make a much stronger case that he lied to Congress in 2018 than what happened in Maryland in 1982. The Democrats shouldn’t let this go. Never stop trying to impeach and remove him. I know it’s a long shot, but it’s the right thing to do. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6017 "2018-10-04T16:54:54Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > I think the perjury is what they should focus on. We can make a much stronger case that he lied to Congress in 2018 than what happened in Maryland in 1982. The Democrats shouldn’t let this go. Never stop trying to impeach and remove him. I know it’s a long shot, but it’s the right thing to do. That has a big risk of backfiring. It has a high chance of firing up the conservatives. They love to say they’re being oppressed (War on Christianity, War on Christmas, etc). If the D’s were actively trying to impeach over the perjury, the right would mobilize. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6018 "2018-10-04T17:03:59Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Sure. But if Mark Judge (or anyone) had said he remembered the incident, I’d wager Flake would vote No. With everything else, you really think THAT would have made a difference? I don’t think so, but we’ll never know. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6019 "2018-10-04T17:06:51Z")
It’s fine. I have complete confidence that the snarling, red-faced man who bellowed about Democratic hit jobs and Clinton conspiracies, and ominously warned that what goes around comes around, will always be a completely fair-minded, impartial jurist during his lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court. Now if you’ll please excuse me, there’s large a jug of wood alcohol in my garage that needs drinking. ---
**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 4, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6020 "2018-10-04T17:23:33Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > That has a big risk of backfiring. It has a high chance of firing up the conservatives. They love to say they’re being oppressed (War on Christianity, War on Christmas, etc). If the D’s were actively trying to impeach over the perjury, the right would mobilize. The right will mobilize!? God no! Don’t scare me like that. For me I think that the time for worrying about that is over. It takes time to offend trump voters. During all that time more of them are dying out. Let’s see who replaces them before we worry that our efforts to protect democracy are going to offend someone. ---
**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 4, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6021 "2018-10-04T17:24:53Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > I called it on 9-28-18 prior to the beginning of the FBI investigation. You predicted it was a sham. Are you psychic? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=300) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=302)