# 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:** 308
**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 5, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6142 "2018-10-05T00:02:32Z")
[Sen. Steve Daines will be at daughter’s wedding in Montana — Kavanaugh vote or no](https://billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/sen-steve-daines-will-be-at-daughter-s-wedding-in/article_eb0ccb27-ac37-5b72-93b5-93f69e76dbdf.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6143 "2018-10-05T00:16:37Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > [Sen. Steve Daines will be at daughter’s wedding in Montana — Kavanaugh vote or no](https://billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/sen-steve-daines-will-be-at-daughter-s-wedding-in/article_eb0ccb27-ac37-5b72-93b5-93f69e76dbdf.html) As of yet, this is probably the best news for the Democrats in this whole deal, if McConnell decides to maintain the current schedule. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6144 "2018-10-05T00:24:23Z")
Liberals can’t do much about now, except flop around madly like little fresh caught fish on the floor of a trawler. Republicans own the government, and the billionaire class owns our \ “democracy.” ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6145 "2018-10-05T00:37:40Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > [https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kavanaugh-fbi-investigation-oct-18/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kavanaugh-fbi-investigation-oct-18/index.html) Thanks muchly! ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6146 "2018-10-05T00:38:47Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Liberals can’t do much about now, except flop around madly like little fresh caught fish on the floor of a trawler. Republicans own the government, and the billionaire class owns our \ “democracy.” They can make anyone who supports Kavanaugh look so dirty by association that it will swing votes in the midterm elections. Given the Republican majority in the Senate, that may have been the primary motive all along. ---
**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 5, 2018, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6147 "2018-10-05T00:44:28Z")
Kavanaugh apologizes in WSJ op-ed: > [@](#): > > …I was very emotional last Thursday, more so than I have ever been. I might have been too emotional at times. I know that my tone was sharp, and I said a few things I should not have said. I hope everyone can understand that I was there as a son, husband and dad. I testified with five people foremost in my mind: my mom, my dad, my wife, and most of all my daughters… [https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822](https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822) Does he still need some votes? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6148 "2018-10-05T00:45:50Z")
If they had the votes, he wouldn’t be publishing an op ed. ---
**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 5, 2018, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6149 "2018-10-05T00:47:55Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Kavanaugh apologizes in WSJ op-ed It’s funny that Kavenaugh himself realizes that his behavior was out-of-line, when we can’t get a single one of his supporters here to admit it. Maybe they’ll start admitting it now that they’ve been given permission to do so. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6150 "2018-10-05T00:55:46Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > if McConnell decides to maintain the current schedule. Not saying he won’t, but there seems to be a fair amount of uncertainty about it right now. There are hints out there that the vote of Cory Gardner (R-CO) is not yet nailed down. He’s been quiet and noncommittal for a couple of months now, and [he met earlier today with a group of sexual assault survivors from Colorado.](https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/04/cory-gardner-fbi-report-brett-kavanaugh/) And there’s [this nugget](https://twitter.com/seungminkim/status/1047946944302202880) from WaPo reporter Seung Min Kim that I wouldn’t lean on too heavily, but sure is interesting. I don’t know that I’d bet on no cloture vote tomorrow, but I’d bet there won’t be one tomorrow _morning_, Eastern time, that they won’t have all the votes nailed down until at least afternoon. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6151 "2018-10-05T00:59:27Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > As of yet, this is probably the best news for the Democrats in this whole deal, if McConnell decides to maintain the current schedule. If McConnell sees a 51-49 vote (or a 52-48 with Manchin) then ole Stevey boy can go to his daughter’s wedding and Kavanaugh is still confirmed 50-49 or 51-48. Further, the Senate could go into session at midnight tonight/tomorrow, vote for cloture at 1am and the vote would be around 8-ish Saturday morning, giving Daines time to fly back to Montana. Further, if for some reason, the vote would be 50-50 but because of Daines’ absence, it fails 50-49, I see a resubmission of Kavanaugh (or possibly a motion to reconsider) and a fresh vote on Monday. If the vote is pushed until Monday, then McConnell has fewer votes than he thought and/or the daughter is having a morning wedding. 🙂 ---
**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 5, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6152 "2018-10-05T00:59:59Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Kavanaugh apologizes in WSJ op-ed: > > [https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822](https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822) > > Does he still need some votes? That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. They’re worried about losing this. I had pretty much given up. (I did vent a little to Senator Graham via email, probably said a few things I shouldn’t have. I know my tone was sharp. I hope he understands I was angry.) ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6153 "2018-10-05T01:02:27Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Kavanaugh apologizes in WSJ op-ed: Yeah, he’s apologizing for perhaps saying things he shouldn’t have but it was because he got all emotional…in his prepared remarks that he wrote the night before. Uhhuh. :rolleyes: And yeah, this must mean he still needs some votes. This has been the weirdest, most bizarre confirmation process I’ve ever seen. I can’t even think of what would be in second place, because I can’t remember anything remotely comparable. And I’ve been watching the politics of this crazy town since the 1960s. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6154 "2018-10-05T01:11:53Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Yeah, he’s apologizing for perhaps saying things he shouldn’t have but it was because he got all emotional…in his prepared remarks that he wrote the night before. > > Uhhuh. :rolleyes: > > And yeah, this must mean he still needs some votes. > > This has been the weirdest, most bizarre confirmation process I’ve ever seen. I can’t even think of what would be in second place, because I can’t remember anything remotely comparable. And I’ve been watching the politics of this crazy town since the 1960s. This is probably the first WSJ op-ed in history written for only three people. 🙂 I don’t think he has anything to apologize for. You think that his apology rings hollow. We are not one of those three people it was meant for. I agree as to your second point, however, I hope to live long enough to watch judges attempting to be confirmed when they grew up in the social media era. That will be one thing that will possibly ameliorate some of my concerns about these types of allegations. If we had Facebook in 1982, there would be hundreds of pictures of this party if it happened. ---
**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 5, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6155 "2018-10-05T01:15:11Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > Kavanaugh apologizes in WSJ op-ed: > > [https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822](https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822) > > Does he still need some votes? Reminds me of this: [http://politicalpunchline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hillary-vs-kavanaugh-hearing.jpg](http://politicalpunchline.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/hillary-vs-kavanaugh-hearing.jpg) (Clinton calm cool and collected for 11 hours of questions from senators; Kavanaugh loses his shit in the first 20 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 5, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6156 "2018-10-05T01:19:59Z")
Can you imagine going to a job interview, losing your shit so badly that you have to write an apology in the WSJ, screaming insults at the people interviewing you, having to answer questions at your interview about the time you sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl, and not only are you still being considered for the job, you’re the only candidate they’re even talking to? I’m going to try this approach at my next interview. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6157 "2018-10-05T01:24:55Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. They’re worried about losing this. I had pretty much given up. > > (I did vent a little to Senator Graham via email, probably said a few things I shouldn’t have. I know my tone was sharp. I hope he understands I was angry.) ISWYDT. Funny. ---
**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 5, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6158 "2018-10-05T01:26:50Z")
If Manchin is a yes, he needs to change parties. I would think that the leverage he has as the red state dem is something dems could do without. Gerrymander, voter suppression, and electoral college reform, PR statehood, and tell manchin to stick it, 2020! ---
**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 5, 2018, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6159 "2018-10-05T01:27:26Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Can you imagine going to a job interview, losing your shit so badly that you have to write an apology in the WSJ, screaming insults at the people interviewing you, having to answer questions at your interview about the time you sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl, and not only are you still being considered for the job, you’re the only candidate they’re even talking to? I’m going to try this approach at my next interview. Yeah but only one guy was put forward and the republicans _NEED_ to have him in the job before the mid-term election where there is a chance (albeit a remote chance) they will lose control of the senate. So right now there is almost nothing Kavanaugh could do that would dissuade republicans. Kavanaugh could go on TV and kill puppies and they would still vote for him. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6160 "2018-10-05T01:28:34Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Can you imagine going to a job interview, losing your shit so badly that you have to write an apology in the WSJ, screaming insults at the people interviewing you, having to answer questions at your interview about the time you sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl, and not only are you still being considered for the job, you’re the only candidate they’re even talking to? I’m going to try this approach at my next interview. If you get the job, it means that the person who picked you must be a sociopathic moron who you probably wouldn’t want to work for anyway, though. ---
**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 5, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6161 "2018-10-05T01:31:22Z")
I really think Kavanaugh will get nominated but this whole shit-show paves the way to make it palatable for democrats to stack the court if they get control of the senate and the presidency in 2020. (I know…there is a law against it…it will be interesting to see how it plays out if we get there.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=307) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=309)