# 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:** 80
**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, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1581 "2018-09-19T00:44:10Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > If I’d made up a story, you know what I would totally do? > > [I would totally ask the FBI to conduct an investigation](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grassley-says-mondays-hearing-will-be-limited-to-two-witnesses-kavanaugh-and-his-accuser/2018/09/18/301da074-bb48-11e8-a8aa-860695e7f3fc_story.html?utm_term=.3d24e137b2d6). Because that would be sure to go well for me. … Given that the FBI has already said they aren’t going to do that, it would seem to carry very little risk for you. ---
**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 19, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1582 "2018-09-19T00:49:02Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > As noted previously, Kavanaugh had a full hearing, during which Feinstein chose to keep this matter to herself. So fuckin what? This ain’t a sporting event. Fuckin thrown Feinstein in jail and feed her on moldy Cheerios, I don’t give a shit, I DO NOT WANT A SEXUAL PREDATOR ON THE SUPREME COURT. ---
**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, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1583 "2018-09-19T00:49:30Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > So fuckin what? This ain’t a sporting event. I’m aware. It’s politics. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1584 "2018-09-19T00:50:43Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > THEY want to delay a vote to spare the red-state Dem senators a difficult vote right before the mid-term. Haha. No. There was a time when the Manchins and Heitkamps of the world faced a difficult vote. That time is gone. They can easily vote no because: [ol] [li]Kavanaugh’s White House records have been concealed[/li][li]We have seen that Kavanaugh has lied under oath numerous times[/li][li]There is a credible accusation of rape against Kavanaugh[/li][/ol] They have a metric fuck ton of plausible deniability that their no vote is purely partisan rather than about the integrity of the Court and all that good stuff. They do not have a difficult vote right before the mid-term. The opposition handed them an easy button. ---
**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, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1585 "2018-09-19T00:56:26Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > … There is a credible accusation of rape against Kavanaugh … I think it was a fairly dubious accusation to begin with, and it’s growing more dubious the more objections Ford throws up to testifying. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1586 "2018-09-19T01:00:03Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I think it was a fairly dubious accusation to begin with, and it’s growing more dubious the more objections Ford throws up to testifying. Is there any particular reason we should give any weight to what you think? You also think red state dems have a difficult confirmation vote coming up when that is clearly wrong. That was the point that you sidestepped in your previous post FYI. ---
**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 19, 2018, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1587 "2018-09-19T01:02:54Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > LOL, no. The GOP didn’t “announce that Ford will testify without checking with her first”. They _invited_ her to testify: Sure, and Ford replied today: a period of fact-finding should precede the hearing. I agree with that and advocated that yesterday. That’s what a good faith investigation would involve, as opposed to this railroad to a fixed conclusion. > [@](#): > > The _GOP_ didn’t “refuse to conduct an FBI investigation”, the _FBI_ did that. Ok, then if the FBI of this _Republican administration_ refuses to do a background check of somebody potentially susceptible to blackmail, and there is nobody else willing to conduct pre-testimony interviews, then I think it’s fair to refuse to confirm Kavanaugh until pertinent information is provided. Shrug. > [@UltraVires](#): > > \*snip. This isn’t second grade where you get to whisper to the teacher that little Johnny is chewing gum in class. This is a serious allegation against a Supreme Court nominee. The idea that she can throw a bomb into this process, embarrass this man, his wife, and his two young daughters with these politically horrific allegations, yet sit on her couch and keep quiet and not be examined under oath is an anathema to truth and justice in the United States. If she will not stand by her allegations, then she should not have made them. I agree with this up to a point. If she doesn’t cooperate with investigators, then my view of all of this would change. I don’t see evidence of this though. The position laid out in today’s letter seems reasonable to me. [DocumentCloud](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4901608-180918-Ltr-to-Grassley.html#document/p1) Look, if you make an allegation but refuse to discuss it with law enforcement, there’s simply a limited weight that can be placed upon your assertions. I’ll note though that Dr. Ford in fact did _not_ leak this to the media. If she doesn’t want to cooperate that’s fine. But then it also be permissible to deweight her claims. In this world though, Dr. Ford has requested a full investigation. ---
**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, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1588 "2018-09-19T01:03:01Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > But didn’t Kavanaugh testify about what a moral place it was? > > Of course, he’s also [speechified](https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1042182664592281600) (in 2015!) about “what happens at Georgetown Prep, stays at Georgetown Prep. That’s been a good thing for all of us.” > > It’s not the only place he’s said that about, IIRC. If “what happens at X stays at X” does turn out to be a frequent _bon mot_ for Kavanaugh, that seems…odd. Why would that be? It’s not as though it’s a particularly witty thing to say. ---
**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, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1589 "2018-09-19T01:03:12Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Is there any particular reason we should give any weight to what you think? … No more reason than I should give any weight to what you think. > [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > … You also think red state dems have a difficult confirmation vote coming up when that is clearly wrong. That was the point that you sidestepped in your previous post FYI. I’m sure it’s less-difficult than it was a week ago, but I still wouldn’t be surprised if, in their heart of hearts, some of the red-state Dems were dreading the thought that this might come up for a vote before the mid-term. If it’s a non-issue, they could all declare their intention to vote against Kavanaugh today, to the adulation of the adoring masses, correct? ---
**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, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1590 "2018-09-19T01:10:41Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > … then I think it’s fair to refuse to confirm Kavanaugh until pertinent information is provided. Shrug. … What you think is fair (and what I think is fair) mattereth not. It only matters what Senators Grassley, McConnell, and 48 of their colleagues think. > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > … I’ll note though that Dr. Ford in fact did _not_ leak this to the media. … Huh? I think you missed an important fact somewhere along the way. From WaPo: > [@](#): > > [She contacted The Post through a tip line in early July …](https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/california-professor-writer-of-confidential-brett-kavanaugh-letter-speaks-out-about-her-allegation-of-sexual-assault/2018/09/16/46982194-b846-11e8-94eb-3bd52dfe917b_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a3a4919d821c) On what planet is that not the _very definition_ of “leak this to the media”? ---
**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, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1591 "2018-09-19T01:20:04Z")
reports say McConnell wanted another pick so he may not be shedding too many tears if Brett goes down. ---
**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:** [September 19, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1592 "2018-09-19T01:20:06Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > If it’s a non-issue, they could all declare their intention to vote against Kavanaugh today, to the adulation of the adoring masses, correct? That’s the beauty of the easy button they’ve been handed. They don’t have to declare anything while this is in the air and if Republicans give it short shrift they can use that as the reason for their no vote. The only way they face a tough vote is if at the end of a thorough investigation, Kavanaugh comes out smelling like a rose, and frankly, I think that’s extremely unlikely for a number of reasons. There was time when there was pressure for red state dems to confirm, but now the Republicans have to nail a five rail bank shot before they can apply that pressure. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1593 "2018-09-19T01:38:18Z")
She won’t testify until there is an investigation. That’s wonderful. The GOP is being played! We need to get control of this process back and, as I said earlier, quit letting them call the shots. She has the floor if she wants it. If she doesn’t, then let’s vote. In fact, I’m tempted to say that we should subpoena her to Monday’s hearing. ETA: But I fear that I am falling in their trap by the last statement. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1594 "2018-09-19T01:41:30Z")
> [@](#): > > …have to nail a five rail bank shot before they can apply that pressure. As demonstrated by Dr. William Masconi, Professor of Applied Physics… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zW0hBV8pRUs/hqdefault.jpg "Five rail kick. mosconi did this shot.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW0hBV8pRUs) ---
**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 19, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1595 "2018-09-19T01:47:46Z")
Republicans sure are acting as if this is the last Supreme Court position they’re going to fill for a generation. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1596 "2018-09-19T01:48:08Z")
Nobody else finds it suspicious that Ford wants an FBI “investigation”: the exact same Dem talking points that have built throughout today? She’s a pawn. We should never have entertained this in the first place and should put a stop to it now. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1597 "2018-09-19T01:55:06Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > She won’t testify until there is an investigation. That’s wonderful. The GOP is being played! We need to get control of this process back and, as I said earlier, quit letting them call the shots. She has the floor if she wants it. If she doesn’t, then let’s vote. In fact, I’m tempted to say that we should subpoena her to Monday’s hearing. > > ETA: But I fear that I am falling in their trap by the last statement. Of course! Why didn’t I see it before? The Democrats set up the whole thing! Kavanaugh wasn’t on the first list, he didn’t make the sweet list at first, and then, suddenly! There he is! The Democrats put his name there! First step… Then they started talking darkly about the Kavster’s somewhat…extravagant…views on executive divinity, immune to the vexations of law! What better way to focus Il Douche’s attention! First they had to plant the briar patch, and then beg B’rer Dipshit not to throw them in it! Probably had to repeat it a few times, the boy’s a mite thick. Tell you what, Hoss, if they are that clever, you should consider negotiating terms for your surrender… ---
**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 19, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1598 "2018-09-19T01:55:13Z")
What good are FBI background investigations of major political appointees if they are “prohibited” from investigating non-Federal crimes? Jesus Christ, if Charlie Manson had been nominated to be Secretary of State, would he have gotten a thumbs up because his murders were just state matters? I’m guessing that the real reason the FBI won’t investigate is that Director Wray likes his job and it would be a real shame if something happened to it. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1599 "2018-09-19T01:57:06Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1600 "2018-09-19T02:00:26Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I think it was a fairly dubious accusation to begin with, and it’s growing more dubious the more objections Ford throws up to testifying. “The girl’s full of it cuz she ain’t doing this like I think she should.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=79) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=81)