# 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:** 309
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6162 "2018-10-05T01:31:39Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > …Kavanaugh could go on TV and kill puppies and they would still vote for him. Well, if he giggles, that might be a deal-breaker. Short if that… ---
**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, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6163 "2018-10-05T01:35:24Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > 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! Yeah, he has no excuse for voting yes, he’s nine points up in the polls. ---
**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, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6164 "2018-10-05T01:38:03Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > 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. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6165 "2018-10-05T01:43:14Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > [https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822](https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-am-an-independent-impartial-judge-1538695822) From that piece: “I have ruled … sometimes for environmentalists and sometimes for coal miners.” Well, apparently the sometimes for environmentalists might be technically true, but only if you use “sometimes” as synonymous with [“almost, but not quite, never”](https://theintercept.com/2018/10/04/brett-kavanaugh-environmental-rulings/). I also love how he pits environmentalists against coal miners. More like “very rarely for environmentalists and almost always for coal industry executives”. ---
**Author:** ![skyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@skyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skyr)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6166 "2018-10-05T01:45:01Z")
> [@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. Please let me know where you interview. I will make sure I wait until the end of the day, when you’re wrapping things up, to show up and start accusing you in front of everyone of raping me. I’m sure that you will applaud my courage as I demand that you prove you DIDN’T rape me before you can accept the job. Also, you need to prove it without having any specific information of when or where it happened. i just swear I remember you doing it. There’s no way you would ever get upset over something like that, right? ---
**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, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6167 "2018-10-05T01:45:37Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Yeah, he has no excuse for voting yes, he’s nine points up in the polls. That lead will evaporate if he votes no. He has the election in the bag. The only way he loses is a vote against Kavanaugh. ---
**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, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6168 "2018-10-05T01:46:25Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > 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.) Really, we’ve been over this. The size of the Supreme Court is set by Congress (except that, short of impeachment, Congress can’t remove sitting Justices; if they pass a law reducing the number of Justices, such reduction takes place by attrition). But they can _increase_ the number of Justices at their pleasure. There is nothing but fear of public opinion preventing the GOP from seating 999 new right-wing Justices tomorrow. So if the Garland/Kavanaugh fiascoes results in a Court that regularly flouts public opinion and the will of the people’s elected representatives, increasing the size of the Court is always an option. ---
**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, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6169 "2018-10-05T01:50:50Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > That lead will evaporate if he votes no. He has the election in the bag. The only way he loses is a vote against Kavanaugh. Cite? I’m not seeing any evidence right now that the Kavanaugh vote will have much effect on the midterms. But I’ve only seen national polling numbers. Have you seen polls specifically asking West Virginia voters how a vote for or against Kavanaugh might affect their decision? Manchin has been wavering on Kavanaugh for two weeks, but his numbers haven’t suffered for it. ---
**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, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6170 "2018-10-05T02:01:26Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Really, we’ve been over this. The size of the Supreme Court is set by Congress (except that, short of impeachment, Congress can’t remove sitting Justices; if they pass a law reducing the number of Justices, such reduction takes place by attrition). But they can _increase_ the number of Justices at their pleasure. > > There is nothing but fear of public opinion preventing the GOP from seating 999 new right-wing Justices tomorrow. > > So if the Garland/Kavanaugh fiascoes results in a Court that regularly flouts public opinion and the will of the people’s elected representatives, increasing the size of the Court is always an option. Republicans have flouted norms with a zeal. If democrats keep abiding by the norms while republicans flout them at will there is no need for two parties because only one will ever get their way. It would be akin to a football game where the other team ignores the rules but you keep playing by them. Guess who wins every time if you do that? And I have argued that the law limiting the size of the supreme court is unconstitutional. Having one branch of government control another branch of government in such a manner is ridiculous. But that is a debate for another thread. ---
**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, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6171 "2018-10-05T02:05:21Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > 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. They can’t. Look, mate, I’m gonna break it down: This country is stupid, teeming with millions of rock dumb fucking yokels. You’ve got shitkickers in the Dakotas who are being screwed by the GOP’s tariffs and they just don’t care. Trump is a man of Jesus. He gropes women, brags about grabbing them in the vagina, and he’s a modern-day biblical hero. There’s a lot of talk these days about how to communicate with rednecks, how to reach Trump voters. I’ve put some thought into it: I’ve decided that I could use some oil pastels and canvass, and paint a picture of a white fetus whipping a black slave. They’d probably open up then. ---
**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, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6172 "2018-10-05T02:06:22Z")
> [@skyr](#): > > Please let me know where you interview. I will make sure I wait until the end of the day, when you’re wrapping things up, to show up and start accusing you in front of everyone of raping me. I’m sure that you will applaud my courage as I demand that you prove you DIDN’T rape me before you can accept the job. Also, you need to prove it without having any specific information of when or where it happened. i just swear I remember you doing it. There’s no way you would ever get upset over something like that, right? This is along the same lines as those who said allowing same sex marriage will lead to people being allowed to marry their dog. :rolleyes: ---
**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, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6173 "2018-10-05T02:12:13Z")
> [@skyr](#): > > Please let me know where you interview. I will make sure I wait until the end of the day, when you’re wrapping things up, to show up and start accusing you in front of everyone of raping me. I’m sure that you will applaud my courage as I demand that you prove you DIDN’T rape me before you can accept the job. Also, you need to prove it without having any specific information of when or where it happened. i just swear I remember you doing it. There’s no way you would ever get upset over something like that, right? Let’s get one thing straight: Brett Kavanaugh is a public official, and has willingly decided to pursue one of the most important public positions of trust in the land. His life is necessarily going to be an open book, and if he couldn’t handle that scrutiny, he could have declined the nomination. This fucker has lied to the United States Senate about his behavior during college - so say more than one of his contemporaries. Under the right circumstances, that’s a **felony**. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6174 "2018-10-05T02:28:37Z")
Whack-A-Mole: > [@](#): > > I really think Kavanaugh will get nominated Nitpick - He already got nominated. What’s at issue now is his getting confirmed. ---
**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, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6175 "2018-10-05T02:30:14Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Whack-A-Mole: > > Nitpick - He already got nominated. What’s at issue now is his getting confirmed. Doh! :smack: Yup. That’s what I meant. ---
**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, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6176 "2018-10-05T02:46:54Z")
> [@Thing\_Fish](#): > > Cite? I’m not seeing any evidence right now that the Kavanaugh vote will have much effect on the midterms. But I’ve only seen national polling numbers. Have you seen polls specifically asking West Virginia voters how a vote for or against Kavanaugh might affect their decision? Manchin has been wavering on Kavanaugh for two weeks, but his numbers haven’t suffered for it. > **[West Virginia Poll: Voters say Manchin should vote to confirm Kavanaugh - WV...](https://wvmetronews.com/2018/09/10/west-virginia-poll-voters-say-manchin-should-vote-to-confirm-kavanaugh/)** > > Manchin, a Democrat, is considered a potential swing voter on the Kavanaugh confirmation. 62-38 in favor of Kavanaugh in West Virginia. More telling is that 52% of women believe Kavanaugh while 26% believe Ford. 41% of Democrats are in favor of Kavanaugh. Further, there is the underlying dynamics of West Virginia. Joe has been around for thirty years playing his conservative pro-gun, anti-abortion card and keeping the social conservatives at bay. He is the lone survivor of the red onslaught in West Virginia and still only up nine points to a “carpetbagger” from New Jersey. (New Jersey!!! of all places). Morrissey is also possibly the worst candidate the GOP could have nominated (except for Blankenship) but it is still only nine points. Ten years ago it would have been thirty points. If we were one week out, he could weather the storm. With a month left, he is toast if he votes no. ---
**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 5, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6177 "2018-10-05T02:47:55Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > 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) That’s a beaut! ---
**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, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6178 "2018-10-05T03:22:45Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > If we were one week out, he could weather the storm. With a month left, he is toast if he votes no. If Manchin is a democrat only in name and votes with republicans then so what if an actual republican gets voted in? As a liberal why would Manchin be better for me if he does not vote with the democrats? Manchin needs to vote no or change his affiliation to (R). ---
**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, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6179 "2018-10-05T03:37:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That’s a beaut! Remember some people think women are too emotional to govern. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6180 "2018-10-05T03:47:37Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > If Manchin is a democrat only in name and votes with republicans then so what if an actual republican gets voted in? As a liberal why would Manchin be better for me if he does not vote with the democrats? > > Manchin needs to vote no or change his affiliation to (R). Because he’ll vote for Schumer for majority leader, but hey, if you don’t want that vote, I’d be delighted to see him or his replacement vote for McConnell. ---
**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, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/6181 "2018-10-05T04:05:34Z")
> [@skyr](#): > > I demand that you prove you DIDN’T rape me before you can accept the job. Also, you need to prove it without having any specific information of when or where it happened. i just swear I remember you doing it. There’s no way you would ever get upset over something like that, right? Right. I could easily maintain my calm. I’m not an angry, unhinged drunk, and I would actually be innocent. Mostly I’d feel concern and sympathy for you for having been raped. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=308) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=310)