# 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:** 83
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1641 "2018-09-19T13:19:41Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Urbanredneck, did you hold a girl down and cover her mouth to stifle her screams when you were 17? Did you try to prevent her from alerting others to your attempt to rape her? > > I did stupid things when I was seventeen. I skipped school. I mouthed off to skinheads. I walked alone at night through dangerous neighborhoods. > > I never made a calculated decision to prevent someone from getting help when I was trying to rape them. That’s not a stupid thing; that’s a smart thing for a rapist to do. > > We’re not talking about stupid things. We’re talking about terrible things. And I didn’t do anything in the same league of terrible when I was a teenager. > > But I’m curious about my question. When you talk about doing stupid things as a teen, did you come this close to committing rape, and did you prevent your victim from getting help? Really, I must have missed his trial and conviction.:rolleyes: ---
**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, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1642 "2018-09-19T13:21:16Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Which is to say, it’s time **HD** took this Spartacus shit down to the quarry and chucked it in. Because it’s getting even more tiresome than Snowboarder Bo’s tic. Given all the half-witted nicknames that get made up and used for Republicans around here, I damn sure better be able to call Cory Booker “Spartacus”. ---
**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, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1643 "2018-09-19T13:22:20Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So, IOKIADDI? That’s about the response I expected from you. What the fuck are you talk about? I asked you a question – do you think an honest account of teenage groping, with subsequent discussion of remorse and personal growth and recognition of how terrible our society is with regards to sexual assault and treatment of women, is equivalent to lying about teenage attempted rape and standing by while the accuser is slandered and threatened, assuming the allegation is true? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1644 "2018-09-19T13:22:49Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > I think the democrats are making themselves look like total fools by bringing up stuff he did 32 years ago when he was 17 and the girl 15. Look, teens do STUPID THINGS! … That would be a defensible position to take … it was a bad mistake made by a teenager. We all did some bad things as teens, admitted holding someone down, attempting to tear off their clothes, and covering their mouth as they try to scream, is a bit worse than peeking as the locker room door opens and such, but still. If no pattern of behavior since. It however recognizes that the event happened and that he is _now_ a liar who is willing to defame another individual. ---
**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, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1645 "2018-09-19T13:24:05Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Wow, what a great story of personal growth! You know, Booker has been a bit pedestrian since that time he ran into a burning building to save someone, but here we are, I respect him just a little more. > > Thanks for that. I hope you guys nominate him for president. That would be fun. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1646 "2018-09-19T13:29:18Z")
And apparently whether the FBI investigates this matter[is up to Donald J. Trump](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/gop-kavanaugh-s-accuser-testify-monday-or-we-ll-move-n910981): > [@](#): > > “When the FBI conducts a background investigation of a presidential nominee, it vacuums up all kinds of information about the nominee, including claims from people interviewed by agents, and dumps it into the file,” [Pete] Williams reports. “It does not, however, investigate whether or not derogatory information is true – unless it’s asked to follow up by the White House. Several current and former DOJ and FBI officials say this has always been the practice, and some say there is actually a longstanding formal memorandum of understanding between DOJ and the White House about this.” > > “The Senate cannot ask the FBI to investigate the Ford letter, because Kavanaugh is the president’s nominee, not the Senate’s,” Williams adds. > > And: “Here’s another way to think of it: In doing background investigations, the FBI is acting as an agent of the White House. That’s a separate role from its responsibility to investigate crimes. The Senate can always ask the FBI to investigate a potential crime that it becomes aware of (this is known as making referral), but it can’t direct the FBI on how to investigate the background of a presidential nominee.” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1647 "2018-09-19T13:33:24Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > What was the unofficial purpose of the Garland Ignoration? Besides simple spite? ---
**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, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1648 "2018-09-19T13:33:47Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What the fuck are you talk about? I asked you a question – do you think an honest account of teenage groping, with subsequent discussion of remorse and personal growth and recognition of how terrible our society is with regards to sexual assault and treatment of women, is equivalent to lying about teenage attempted rape and standing by while the accuser is slandered and threatened, assuming the allegation is true? I think you’re minimizing again, because once again it’s a Democrat that messed up. “Honest account”? How can you know that? We haven’t heard her side of the story, or any of the other people at the party. This matter should be investigated! "“Teenage groping”? That’s _his_ version again. Spartacus may well have raped her that New Year’s Eve night. We don’t know, but, do you want to take that chance, nominating someone like that for the highest office in the land? What we do know already is that he committed unwanted sexual touching, by his own admission. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1649 "2018-09-19T13:33:48Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Given all the half-witted nicknames that get made up and used for Republicans around here, I damn sure better be able to call Cory Booker “Spartacus”. You’ve been making Spartacus references for pages and pages now. I thought you were just making some cryptic reference to the movie, so I didn’t think they meant anything worth a second thought. And that’s the problem when you talk in code: you need to have good reason to believe that your intended audience can read the code. (Not that it matters, because I’m sure not going to search out all your Spartacus posts, but were all your Spartacus references about Cory Booker?) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1650 "2018-09-19T13:35:19Z")
And HD? Seriously dude. Trying twice to feel the breast of a girl who started kissing you and who you were necking with, a second time, is something many teen boys would be guilty of. Yeah, I was Spartacus too. A very awkward one but hey.) Grabbing someone from a hallway, throwing them down on a bed with someone else in the room egging you on, pinning them down, covering their mouth so they cannot scream as you try to pull of her clothes? No that is not _quite_ in the same ballpark. ---
**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, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1651 "2018-09-19T13:37:29Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > … (Not that it matters, because I’m sure not going to search out all your Spartacus posts, but were all your Spartacus references about Cory Booker?) Yes, and I’m quite certain that the vast majority of my intended audience is smart enough to understand that. ---
**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, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1652 "2018-09-19T13:37:38Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I think you’re minimizing again, because once again it’s a Democrat that messed up. “Honest account”? How can you know that? We haven’t heard her side of the story, or any of the other people at the party. This matter should be investigated! "“Teenage groping”? That’s _his_ version again. Spartacus may well have raped her that New Year’s Eve night. We don’t know, but, do you want to take that chance, nominating someone like that for the highest office in the land? What we do know already is that he committed unwanted sexual touching, by his own admission. What am I minimizing? If an accuser came forward with a credible accusation, I’d certainly advocate listening to her, and I’d want a full investigation into any credible accusation if Booker denied it. In short, what the fuck are you talking about? A situation in which someone tells a story about their own bad behavior, contrition, and growth, is not comparable to a situation in which someone is credibly accused of worse bad behavior, denies it, and does nothing while the accuser is slandered and threatened. You still haven’t answered the question. Why do you think these things are comparable? ---
**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, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1653 "2018-09-19T13:39:18Z")
HD, did you forget how I treated the Franken accusation? If you forgot, I advocated he resign from the very beginning. Unlike you, I actually want to hold members of my party accountable for mistreatment of women. ---
**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, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1654 "2018-09-19T13:39:28Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And HD? Seriously dude. > > Trying twice to feel the breast of a girl who started kissing you and who you were necking with, a second time, is something many teen boys would be guilty of. Yeah, I was Spartacus too. A very awkward one but hey.) Grabbing someone from a hallway, throwing them down on a bed with someone else in the room egging you on, pinning them down, covering their mouth so they cannot scream as you try to pull of her clothes? No that is not _quite_ in the same ballpark. Once again, you’re taking the man’s side of the story and just accepting it as truth. Doesn’t the female victim’s story deserve to be heard? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1655 "2018-09-19T13:39:54Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Yes, and I’m quite certain that the vast majority of my intended audience is smart enough to understand that. Can you explain the connection? WTF do Booker and Spartacus have to do with each other? ---
**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, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1656 "2018-09-19T13:40:40Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > HD, did you forget how I treated the Franken accusation? If you forgot, I advocated he resign from the very beginning. Unlike you, I actually want to hold members of my party accountable for mistreatment of women. So Spartacus then: should he resign or not? Or does he get a “personal growth” pass because … Why? ETA: I’m keenly interested in your opinion in particular on this matter. Please don’t dodge. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1657 "2018-09-19T13:42:13Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Dem talking points … She’s a pawn. We should never have entertained this in the first place and should put a stop to it now. Again, why is your focus \*not \*on the nominee to a lifetime position instead of on his job interviewers? :dubious: ---
**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, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1658 "2018-09-19T13:42:39Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Can you explain the connection? WTF do Booker and Spartacus have to do with each other? I can’t remember now, was it you that recently told me something like “try Google”? Or was that another poster? ETA: it WAS you. Yeah, try that. You’re a bright guy, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. ---
**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, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1659 "2018-09-19T13:44:58Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So Spartacus then: should he resign or not? Or does he get a “personal growth” pass because … Why? > > ETA: I’m keenly interested in your opinion in particular on this matter. Please don’t dodge. You’ve dodged my question for several posts. You’re in no position to whine about dodging. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1660 "2018-09-19T13:46:05Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Once again, you’re taking the man’s side of the story and just accepting it as truth. Doesn’t the female victim’s story deserve to be heard? Tell me HD about your first kiss. [Insert sweet story here] Well that is your side. That could have been a rape. Believing that was not rape is taking your side. You do see that as being a different circumstance than someone coming forward with a credible story of how you had raped them, don’t you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=82) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=84)