# 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:** 78
**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, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1541 "2018-09-18T23:45:50Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > OK, some one on the Senate payroll, if the FBI is helpless against crazy lying bitches. I can think of a dozen things that might turn up to exculpate Kavanaugh if we do a little digging and don’t just give up and declare that it’s all impossible. > > Do I think an investigation is likely to turn up exculpatory evidence? No I do not. Mostly because the most likely explanation is that the story is substantially true, or at least partially true, and the story probably wasn’t cooked up out of whole cloth. > > So we’re probably not going to find anything like that. But if we live in a universe where the accuser is a crazy lying bitch on a high tech lynching mission, the odds of finding something like that go up substantially. As opposed to the universe where it happened, or the universe where it was just a little horseplay that she built up into a big thing. In that universe then no, we aren’t going to turn up any exculpatory evidrnce. > > So take your pick. I don’t know for sure which universe we are living in and neither do you. But an investigation at least has the potential of helping the Republicans, right? Not browbeating the witness on live television, but an actual investigation. > > The only downside is that it gives the Democrats a news cycle win if the vote gets delayed a couple weeks. The Republicans look like sissies. So which is more important? The Senate could very easily request that the FBI look into this – the FBI has stated specifically that their place in this process is to aid the “decision makers” (Senate and President). That they haven’t should tell us a lot about what they think such an investigation might find. ---
**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 18, 2018, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1542 "2018-09-18T23:46:38Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The unofficial purposes I had in mind were to provide aspiring presidential candidates an opportunity for political grandstanding. You may recall my earlier reference to Cory “Spartacus” Booker. What was the unofficial purpose of the Garland Ignoration? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1543 "2018-09-18T23:46:56Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > For those who want to believe this accusation is false and was invented to derail Kavanaugh’s confirmation: note the (hypothetical) extreme foolishness of putting the alleged perpetrator’s close friend right there in the room, at the scene of the crime. > > Much smarter, if you’re going to make something up, to claim it was just you and the alleged perpetrator. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > What makes you think the two boys were close friends or are even in contact with each other any more now? Why put a third party in the room at all, if you’re inventing an incident of attempted rape? ---
**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, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1544 "2018-09-18T23:49:51Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > … The only downside is that it gives the Democrats a news cycle win if the vote gets delayed a couple weeks. … You really think that’s the “only” downside? I’m quite confident the Dems are hoping to delay the vote until after the midterms with this. THAT would be a downside (in the eyes of Republicans). If the Senate committee wants to investigate and thinks they can have the whole thing wrapped up in a week or two, sure, go for it. But I strongly suspect that after a week or two of investigating we’ll hear cries of “it’s not enough time” “it’s still being rushed” “too soon” etc. ---
**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, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1545 "2018-09-18T23:51:20Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > What was the unofficial purpose of the Garland Ignoration? I don’t think that’s a word, but anyways, to not have Scalia replaced by a leftist. I’m pretty certain that was the unofficial purpose. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1546 "2018-09-18T23:52:35Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Why put a third party in the room at all, if you’re inventing an incident of attempted rape? I don’t know. I never said, or thought that Ford invented the incident. But it does look like they were friends in high school, according to his statement. The guy has issued a pretty strong denial, and he’s admitted to being in a drunken state during much of his time in high school, so as much as it might be interesting to hear from him, I think the other person or persons at the party would be a lot more interesting to hear from. I wonder if Ford even remember who they were. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1547 "2018-09-19T00:04:24Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > [“What happens at Georgetown Prep, stays at Georgetown Prep. That’s been a good thing for all of us”](https://twitter.com/LevineJonathan/status/1042133456740909057) > > That is going to make some sweet campaign ads. We could also ask Gorsuch about the validity of this quote. Not sure how exactly this is flying under the radar, but he [went to the same high school](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/10/us/kavanaugh-gorsuch-georgetown-prep.html) at the same time. ---
**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 19, 2018, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1548 "2018-09-19T00:05:10Z")
It just hit me, if he gets voted down I think Brett has a great future as a major league baseball ticket scalper. He’s already been doing that job part time. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1549 "2018-09-19T00:06:20Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > It just hit me, if he gets voted down I think Brett has a great future as a major league baseball ticket scalper. He’s already been doing that job part time. If he gets voted down, he goes back to his circuit court job. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1550 "2018-09-19T00:07:24Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > … I think the other person or persons at the party would be a lot more interesting to hear from. I wonder if Ford even remember who they were. I agree with this, and wonder the same. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1551 "2018-09-19T00:07:25Z")
CNN reporting that Ford is insisting on a full FBI investigation before testifying. When one side wants something investigated and the other is desperate to not have it investigated, it seems to me that I’m gonna believe the former. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1552 "2018-09-19T00:10:00Z")
You are, of course, free to believe whoever you like, but this smacks of more delaying tactics. We all already know the FBI has declined to investigate this allegation. Earlier her lawyer said Ford would “do whatever it takes”, now that she’s laying out preconditions she comes across as a whole lot less willing. ETA: from the [WSJ Editorial Board - Schumer’s FBI Ploy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/schumers-fbi-ploy-1537313532): > [@](#): > > Democrats have succeeded in delaying a vote on Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination until the Senate holds a public hearing with him and his accuser scheduled for Monday, but they’re still not happy. Now they don’t even want to hold that hearing until the FBI investigates the alleged sexual assault that happened when the two were in high school. > > “The FBI conducted a background check on Judge Kavanaugh before these allegations were known,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday on the Senate floor. “It is now the FBI’s responsibility to investigate these claims, update the analysis to Judge Kavanaugh’s background, and report back to the Senate.” > > Other Democrats have picked up the same chant since Senator Dianne Feinstein announced last week that she had forwarded to the FBI a letter that accuser Christine Ford had written to her. Both Senators know this isn’t the role that the FBI plays in nominations, and their demand shows that their real motive here is further delay. > > … ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1553 "2018-09-19T00:11:45Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > …The guy has issued a pretty strong denial, and he’s admitted to being in a drunken state during much of his time in high school, so as much as it might be interesting to hear from him, I think the other person or persons at the party would be a lot more interesting to hear from. … I agree, though the description of the drinking culture at 1980s-era Georgetown Prep in the yearbook that’s been made public, leads me to wonder if any of those people can really remember any of those parties. > [@](#): > > … Washington, D.C.-area attorney Seth Berenzweig received the yearbook from a woman who did not want her name revealed. Berenzweig says she brought it forward after seeing Judge Kavanaugh’s repeated denial of engaging in inappropriate behavior with a then 15-year-old girl at a high school party. > > …The yearbook has pages dedicated to each graduating high school senior. Kavanaugh’s page includes references to the “Keg City Club” and “100 kegs or bust.” > > “[He’s] someone who apparently may have had a reputation for some heavy drinking,” said Berenzweig. [https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/brett-kavanaugh-high-school-yearbook-raises-new-questions-about-supreme-court-nominee/65-595626391](https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/brett-kavanaugh-high-school-yearbook-raises-new-questions-about-supreme-court-nominee/65-595626391) (Scroll down a bit and there are photos of some of the yearbook’s pages.) ---
**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 19, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1554 "2018-09-19T00:11:56Z")
yes but ticket scalping pays more than a judge job . 🙂 Especially if he sells tickets for Yankees, Red Sox and other top teams. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1555 "2018-09-19T00:13:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > You are, of course, free to believe whoever you like, but this smacks of more delaying tactics. We all already know the FBI has declined to investigate this allegation. Earlier her lawyer said Ford would “do whatever it takes”, now that she’s laying out preconditions she comes across as a whole lot less willing. > > ETA: from the [WSJ Editorial Board - Schumer’s FBI Ploy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/schumers-fbi-ploy-1537313532): You know who wants investigations? People telling the truth. You know who doesn’t? People who are lying. ---
**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 19, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1556 "2018-09-19T00:14:03Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > CNN reporting that Ford is insisting on a full FBI investigation before testifying. When one side wants something investigated and the other is desperate to not have it investigated, it seems to me that I’m gonna believe the former. She hasn’t ruled out coming on Monday, but hopefully the Senate will formally request that the FBI conduct a full investigation, in line with the role (aiding the decision makers) the Justice Department has said the FBI plays in this process. [https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/09/18/politics/ford-letter-fbi/index.html](https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/09/18/politics/ford-letter-fbi/index.html) ---
**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 19, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1557 "2018-09-19T00:16:58Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I don’t think that’s a word, but anyways, to not have Scalia replaced by a leftist. I’m pretty certain that was the unofficial purpose. I’m not grokking. Why is it wrong when the other side does politics too? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1558 "2018-09-19T00:17:48Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > You know who wants investigations? People telling the truth. You know who doesn’t? People who are lying. You know who else wants investigations? People who want to delay a decision on a matter. ---
**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 19, 2018, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1559 "2018-09-19T00:18:34Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > You are, of course, free to believe whoever you like, but this smacks of more delaying tactics. We all already know the FBI has declined to investigate this allegation. Earlier her lawyer said Ford would “do whatever it takes”, now that she’s laying out preconditions she comes across as a whole lot less willing. > > ETA: from the [WSJ Editorial Board - Schumer’s FBI Ploy](https://www.wsj.com/articles/schumers-fbi-ploy-1537313532): How can you complain about delaying tactics? You were for them before you were against them? ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1560 "2018-09-19T00:19:37Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > CNN reporting that Ford is insisting on a full FBI investigation before testifying. When one side wants something investigated and the other is desperate to not have it investigated, it seems to me that I’m gonna believe the former. When someone makes a demand that she knows isn’t going to happen, I’m going to say there’s a good chance she doesn’t actually want to testify. The FBI doesn’t investigate allegations like this, so I’d go so far as to say that to “insist” on such an investigation is unreasonable as well as unrealistic. Also, I don’t see any indication that Kavanaugh is “desperate to not have it investigate”. The two sides one is asked to believe are Kavanaugh and Ford, not Grassley and Ford. caveat: If we assume the report is true, and that’s all we know about the demand. Which is the case, right now. ETA: Your cite doesn’t say what you are claiming (that she insists on an investigation), so my caveat comes into play. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=79)