# 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:** 73
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1441 "2018-09-18T20:40:07Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Who are you addressing? None of what you said has anything to do with what I posted. > > Regards, > Shodan So is your only point that Feinstein’s a shithead, and for those of us that couldn’t care less about Feinstein, we have no beef with you? If so, my apologies–I thought you were saying something about the Kavanaugh case, not just about how terrible Feinstein is. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1442 "2018-09-18T20:41:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > … It is, of course, trivially easy to flutter one’s hands and say, “There’s nothing to be done, so don’t investigate any more!” but that’s some seriously partisan shit, covering up truth and risking putting a sexual predator on the court to gain partisan advantage. If that’s what you’re about–if you’re willing to take that serious risk–own it. “covering up truth and risking putting a sexual predator on the court to gain partisan advantage” is _precisely_ what Feinstein did. Why does it surprise you that her extreme partisanship is met with a similar response? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1443 "2018-09-18T20:43:27Z")
BTW, if Ford is interested in the truth of this matter coming out, why hasn’t she named the other attendees at the party? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1444 "2018-09-18T20:44:18Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > “covering up truth and risking putting a sexual predator on the court to gain partisan advantage” is _precisely_ what Feinstein did. Why does it surprise you that her extreme partisanship is met with a similar response? Stipulating that she did that, the question isn’t, how does your sports team recover from the dirty play. The question is, how do we **now** avoid putting a sexual predator on the court. You’re in the “let’s go ahead!” side. I’m in the “let’s not” side. The side you’re on is terrible, even if, as you insist, you share it with Feinstein. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1445 "2018-09-18T20:48:54Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Heh. Oh, by the way Judge Kavanaugh, have you ever attempted to rape anyone? Just, uh, asking. [He _did_ get asked something along those lines](https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1037479200867971073) (although, weirdly, and interestingly, the question was framed as “since you became a legal adult”). ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1446 "2018-09-18T20:50:11Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > … You’re in the “let’s go ahead!” side. I’m in the “let’s not” side. … I’m on the “we’re unlikely to know for certain” side. ---
**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 18, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1447 "2018-09-18T20:50:22Z")
On the TV, Mark Judge (the alleged accomplice) released a letter saying he has no memory of this incident and has no memory of witnessing Kavanaugh behaving in that manner (and that’s the extent of his denial). More interestingly, he says he has nothing else to say about the allegations and does not wish to speak publicly. Of course, the Senate could still subpoena him and ask him how often he drank heavily in high school, and how often he drank heavily with Kavanaugh, and whether he recalls ever drinking so much he blacked out. If they’re truly interested in investigating this as fully as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1448 "2018-09-18T20:50:29Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > BTW, if Ford is interested in the truth of this matter coming out, why hasn’t she named the other attendees at the party? Maybe she can do that between now and next week? Or maybe she already told her lawyer some names and the lawyer is working on finding those people and getting statements from them? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1449 "2018-09-18T20:53:53Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Maybe she can do that between now and next week? Or maybe she already told her lawyer some names and the lawyer is working on finding those people and getting statements from them? What interest is served by keeping that information secret? Why would the lawyer not let the Senate committee know so that they can be invited to the hearing as well and give their statement under oath? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1450 "2018-09-18T20:57:46Z")
Kevin De Leon, Feinstein’s general election opponent from the left, is also questioning her timeline. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1451 "2018-09-18T20:58:30Z")
Exactly. Which side are you on? Are you on Feinstein’s side of covering up attempted rape accusations, or are you on the side of decent people and not covering up attempted rape accusations? You guys have the problem that you think that since Feinstein is a Democrat, we’re obligated to insist that everything she did or didn’t do was fucking perfect. Except no we’re not. I don’t give a shit about whether Feinstein followed correct procedure or not, or if she’s a hypocrite or not, or if she’s doing this for partisan advantage or not. Because it’s fucking irrelevant. The question is what do you think should happen now? Should we hold the vote tomorrow and act like the accusation never happened, or should we do something else? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1452 "2018-09-18T21:00:07Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Kevin De Leon, Feinstein’s general election opponent from the left, is also questioning her timeline. Who does the “her” above refer to? Feinstein or Ford? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1453 "2018-09-18T21:00:37Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > What interest is served by keeping that information secret? Why would the lawyer not let the Senate committee know so that they can be invited to the hearing as well and give their statement under oath? well maybe the lawyer doesn’t want those people to get bashed just yet? I’m sure if they agree to testify the names will be turned over so they can get invited. No need to make public a name if the person does not want to testify. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1454 "2018-09-18T21:00:46Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The Senate already _had_ the hearing process. The accuser and the only participant that knew about the accusation during “the hearing process” chose to remain anonymous and silent throughout. Yeah, why don’t possible victims of sexual assault have any respect for process? I don’t think she even filled out the right form using a number two pencil!! ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1455 "2018-09-18T21:03:20Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > well maybe the lawyer doesn’t want those people to get bashed just yet? I’m sure if they agree to testify the names will be turned over so they can get invited. No need to make public a name if the person does not want to testify. And yet, she made Mark Judge’s name public, even though he apparently has no interest in testifying. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1456 "2018-09-18T21:03:45Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Calling other witnesses, including Mark Judge. > > Having counsel for the majority and minority asking questions, instead of the Senators. > > Not rushing the hearing, to allow more investigation before putting Kavanaugh back under oath. Yes. The GOP is doing everything possible to block a full and fair investigation. They are comfortable with the possibility of seating a violent criminal on the Supreme Court of the United States of America. TPM: [INDENT] Facing mounting pressure, Senate Republicans announced Monday evening that they’d hold a hearing next Monday to look into whether California professor Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers. But the GOP didn’t consult Democrats before announcing that day. They didn’t even ask Ford if she’d be available to testify then. And while Republican say they are reaching out to others about the alleged incident, Grassley said that he’s only planning on testimony Ford and Kavanaugh. This will limit the committee’s ability to publicly assess other corroborating evidence and more accurately weigh whether Ford’s telling the truth. The White House and Justice Department haven’t instructed the FBI to investigate the matter, keeping them from probing the facts of the case. Ford has said she’d testify in front of the Senate, but has yet to respond to Republicans’ demand that she appear before the committee on Monday. [/INDENT] The GOP doesn’t care about the facts of the case. They _want_ a media spectacle, because they know they can trust their base to whine about it. This is consistent with their delays in providing documents about Kavanaugh. Folks have been nominated to SCOTUS and have failed to clear the Senate before. It happens under both Republican and Democratic administrations. As for the present, Republican leadership is acting like they have a lot to hide. [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/democrats-decry-sham-kavanaugh-hearing-after-gop-refuses-additional-witnesses](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/democrats-decry-sham-kavanaugh-hearing-after-gop-refuses-additional-witnesses) ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1457 "2018-09-18T21:07:16Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > And yet, she made Mark Judge’s name public, even though he apparently has no interest in testifying. he said no to testimony AFTER his name came out right? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1458 "2018-09-18T21:07:42Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Yes. The GOP is doing everything possible to block a full and fair investigation. … No, they are not. I might give you partial credit if they had refused to hear from Ford, but instead they postponed the vote to give Ford a chance to tell her story in front of the committee. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1459 "2018-09-18T21:13:59Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > It was my job to do it and I didn’t Where’s the part of the Constitution that requires this? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1460 "2018-09-18T21:14:34Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Who does the “her” above refer to? Feinstein or Ford? Feinstein. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=72) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=74)