# 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:** 39
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/761 "2018-09-14T16:48:53Z")
Yup, if iiandyiiii really cared about investigating this alleged incident he’d be mad at Feinstein for withholding it until the last minute. That he’s not tells me that he’s more interested in trying to derail Kavanaugh than uncover the truth of the matter. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/762 "2018-09-14T16:51:24Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > There is virtually no circumstance that can come to pass which would be sufficient to determine the truth of the alleged allegation. People like Harris and Booker have already exhausted any leeway that may have existed in taking the actions of Democrats involved seriously. The whole, we should just do more investigations schtick rings completely hollow. The Democrats who knew about it (and maybe Feinstein in particular) handled this allegation very poorly, by what I’m seeing. But that doesn’t absolve the committee of their responsibilities. It’s amazing to me that you’re so certain that an investigation couldn’t possibly reveal anything. What’s the harm? A delay? Sexual assault is a massive problem in our society, and here’s an opportunity to show that the Senate cares about fighting it and treating allegations seriously. I’m not surprised that they’re dropping that opportunity, but I’m surprised that so many Dopers are totally fine with it. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/763 "2018-09-14T16:53:11Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > …he’s referred to birth-control pills as “abortion-inducing drugs” - sounds like he’d uphold a ‘fertilized egg = person’ law and let states outlaw all but barrier contraception… Just to clarify, this statement is other than true. [Cite](https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2018/sep/10/kamala-harris/brett-kavanaugh-birth-control-abortion-inducing/). > [@](#): > > …and now this. By “this” you mean a second-hand allegation by an anonymous source about something that Kavanaugh allegedly did to someone else who hasn’t been named. And even the second-hand source does not feel that it should be pursued. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Per twitter, Grassley just released a signed statement from 65 of Kavanaugh’s high school peers attesting to his personal character and respectful treatment of women. Which means they knew about this allegation all along and had no interest in publicly discussing or investigating it. I am not sure what you mean here. How did Grassley come up with the signed statement if he and the GOP didn’t investigate Kavanaugh’s high school career? Or are you saying that the letter writer’s desire not to pursue the matter should have been respected? Is that just for Grassley, or does it include Feinstein? Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [September 14, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/764 "2018-09-14T16:56:24Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I am not sure what you mean here. How did Grassley come up with the signed statement if he and the GOP didn’t investigate Kavanaugh’s high school career? I’ve seen no indication or public statements from Grassley or anyone else asserting that they investigated this (along with the results of the investigation). If they performed an investigation, they should say so, and publicly release the results. > [@](#): > > Or are you saying that the letter writer’s desire not to pursue the matter should have been respected? No idea what this is referring to. Have you read the letter? I haven’t. If it said “please don’t share this with anyone”, then sharing it with anyone would be wrong. I’ve seen no indication that the letter said that, including from Feinstein’s statement. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/765 "2018-09-14T16:57:29Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > At the absolute minimum, things he did as an adult. According to criminal courts, a lot of 17 year olds are considered adults. I’m going to bet that there are men his age who are in prison right now for things they did when they were 17. And there are many, many, many other men who did the wrong thing when they were 17 and paid a heavy price. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/766 "2018-09-14T17:03:49Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > The Democrats who knew about it (and maybe Feinstein in particular) handled this allegation very poorly, by what I’m seeing. But that doesn’t absolve the committee of their responsibilities. It’s amazing to me that you’re so certain that an investigation couldn’t possibly reveal anything. What’s the harm? A delay? > > Sexual assault is a massive problem in our society, and here’s an opportunity to show that the Senate cares about fighting it and treating allegations seriously. I’m not surprised that they’re dropping that opportunity, but I’m surprised that so many Dopers are totally fine with it. What are you even talking about? The matter was referred to law enforcement. Do you think senators are in the habit of investigating 35 year old alleged crimes? What are they going to do? This isn’t a referendum on how people treat alleged sexual assault and trying to make it one is again, hollow. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2018, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/767 "2018-09-14T17:05:33Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > What are you even talking about? The matter was referred to law enforcement. Do you think senators are in the habit of investigating 35 year old alleged crimes? What are they going to do? This isn’t a referendum on how people treat alleged sexual assault and trying to make it one is again, hollow. Of course not. Better not rock the boat. The Senate can’t look into this (say, by calling witnesses, asking questions, etc.), that would be terrible, because reasons! Always better just to ignore it. Maybe it will go away. ---
**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 14, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/768 "2018-09-14T17:07:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Is that really a hill you’re willing to die on? In this thread you’re going to have to specify the martyr and the hill. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/769 "2018-09-14T17:09:07Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Just to clarify, this statement is other than true. [Cite](https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2018/sep/10/kamala-harris/brett-kavanaugh-birth-control-abortion-inducing/). Fair enough - I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/770 "2018-09-14T17:13:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Of course not. Better not rock the boat. The Senate can’t look into this (say, by calling witnesses, asking questions, etc.), that would be terrible, because reasons! Always better just to ignore it. Maybe it will go away. Again, what are you even talking about? The matter was referred to law enforcement. What are the things you wish to happen and the outcome you wish to achieve? My guess is you’d like to know if the allegations are true, and to do that, you want more hearings. But since more hearings can’t determine if the allegations are true, the criticism again, seems hollow. But please, indulge me. After this, someone could come forward and claim Kavanaugh is actually a space lizard and revealed his reptilian body under a suit of human flesh, 26 years ago. The senate should call witnesses and investigate! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/771 "2018-09-14T17:14:40Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Again, what are you even talking about? The matter was referred to law enforcement. What are the things you wish to happen and the outcome you wish to achieve? Hold back on confirming the subject to a lifetime, unappealable position in the meantime. Does that seem reasonable? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/772 "2018-09-14T17:16:36Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > … Does that seem reasonable? No, because the allegations were held back until now precisely to generate that sort of delay. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/773 "2018-09-14T17:17:24Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > In this thread you’re going to have to specify the martyr and the hill. Hill: If it happened, it was a long time ago, and boys will be boys. Martyrs: Everyone now using that as an excuse instead of being responsible, patriotic citizens. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/774 "2018-09-14T17:18:09Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Again, what are you even talking about? The matter was referred to law enforcement. What are the things you wish to happen and the outcome you wish to achieve? > > My guess is you’d like to know if the allegations are true, and to do that, you want more hearings. But since more hearings can’t determine if the allegations are true, the criticism again, seems hollow. But please, indulge me. > > After this, someone could come forward and claim Kavanaugh is actually a space lizard and revealed his reptilian body under a suit of human flesh, 26 years ago. The senate should call witnesses and investigate! The Senate is actually capable of finding things out. They can hire investigators, call witnesses, and much more. They could find out if anyone else has such experiences with Kavanaugh. They could find out if there is any such pattern. They could actually ask Kavanugh questions on record about this. They could find out if there is any evidence of pay offs. There’s a ton they could do. It’s easy to rationalize doing nothing, but that’s still wrong. It’s not about law enforcement if this is about personal character – law enforcement isn’t involved with personal character. If there’s nothing to the allegations, then all this costs is time. And there’s another benefit – the Senate can tell the country that they actually fully investigated these allegations and determined that they were false, thus lessening the chance of Kavanaugh being seen as an abuser on the court. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/775 "2018-09-14T17:19:05Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > No, because the allegations were held back until now precisely to generate that sort of delay. You have no basis other than sheer partisan cheerleading to say that. It isn’t even internally sensible. The most effective time to derail this nomination would have been when, or before, it was made, don’tcha think? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/776 "2018-09-14T17:20:28Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’ve seen no indication or public statements from Grassley or anyone else asserting that they investigated this (along with the results of the investigation). If they performed an investigation, they should say so, and publicly release the results. If they didn’t investigate Kavanaugh’s high school career, how did they come up with the signed statement? > [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Or are you saying that the letter writer’s desire not to pursue the matter should have been respected? > > No idea what this is referring to. It’s referring to the letter writer’s desire not to pursue the matter. > [@](#): > > Sen. Feinstein said. "That individual strongly requested confidentiality, declined to come forward or press the matter further, and I have honored that decision. ’ “Press the matter” and “pursue the matter” are synonymous. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/777 "2018-09-14T17:23:06Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > If they didn’t investigate Kavanaugh’s high school career How do we know what else is in the masses of documentation of his career that the Republicans insist must be kept secret? \*You \*may be willing to just trust Trump, but most of us here in the Reality-Based Community are not. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/778 "2018-09-14T17:23:42Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > You have no basis other than sheer partisan cheerleading to say that. It isn’t even internally sensible. > > The most effective time to derail this nomination would have been when, or before, it was made, don’tcha think? My basis is that Democrats have known about it for weeks and chose to keep it secret. ---
**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:** [September 14, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/779 "2018-09-14T17:23:44Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > If they didn’t investigate Kavanaugh’s high school career, how did they come up with the signed statement? If they investigated then they should release the findings. Otherwise, who the hell knows? They could have asked Kavanaugh to provide a list of his FB friends. > [@](#): > > It’s referring to the letter writer’s desire not to pursue the matter. “Press the matter” and “pursue the matter” are synonymous. You might be inclined to see Feinstein’s statement as perfectly accurate and definitive (vague as it is), but I’m not. From what I read, she handled this very poorly, and I see no reason to believe such a vague statement tells us anything at all about the actual wishes of the letter-writer. And of course, there could be nothing to it at all. A public investigation would determine this for everyone to see. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/780 "2018-09-14T17:31:34Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > My basis is that Democrats have known about it for weeks and chose to keep it secret. Repetition does not create truth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=38) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=40)