# 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:** 90
**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 19, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1781 "2018-09-19T19:22:14Z")
Chuck Grassley is trying to have it both ways. “I don’t doubt that she believes what she says.” > **[Senate Judiciary Chairman Grassley says he doesn't doubt Ford believes she...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/09/19/chuck-grassley-brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-hearing/1358266002/)** > > "I expect my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to be respectful & treat this situation with the sensitivity it deserves," Grassley tweeted. ---
**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, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1782 "2018-09-19T19:25:26Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Chuck Grassley is trying to have it both ways. > “I don’t doubt that she believes what she says.” > [Brett Kavanaugh allegation: Grassley thinks Ford believes her story](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/09/19/chuck-grassley-brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-hearing/1358266002/) That’s been the GOP talking point for the last two days: Something bad happened to Ford, but it was so long ago that we don’t know what the details were and we don’t know that Kavanaugh did it. They do not want a repeat of a harsh cross examination a la Specter v. Hill. It is like trying to balance on a knife’s edge, and I’m not sure it will work. ---
**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, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1783 "2018-09-19T19:29:13Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > That’s been the GOP talking point for the last two days: Something bad happened to Ford, but it was so long ago that we don’t know what the details were and we don’t know that Kavanaugh did it. They do not want a repeat of a harsh cross examination a la Specter v. Hill. > > It is like trying to balance on a knife’s edge, and I’m not sure it will work. That seems substantially similar to what Feinstein had to say about it: > [@](#): > > [“[Ford] is a woman that has been, I think, profoundly impacted. On this . . . I can’t say that everything is truthful. I don’t know,” Feinstein told reporters on Capitol Hill when asked if she believed the allegation.](https://www.nationalreview.com/news/dianne-feinstein-brett-kavanaugh-assault-accusation-veracity/) ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1784 "2018-09-19T19:36:44Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > That’s been the GOP talking point for the last two days: Something bad happened to Ford, but it was so long ago that we don’t know what the details were and we don’t know that Kavanaugh did it. They do not want a repeat of a harsh cross examination a la Specter v. Hill. > > It is like trying to balance on a knife’s edge, and I’m not sure it will work. What I see is them avoiding calling her a liar, since these days a woman is to be believed, regardless of the allegation. ---
**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, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1785 "2018-09-19T19:45:16Z")
[The Washington Examiner reports](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/doubts-over-kavanaugh-hearing-as-blasey-ford-goes-silent) some interesting quotes by key senators: > [@](#): > > “That’s very puzzling to me,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said about the silence from Ford’s side, according to reports. “I’ve said from the beginning that these are very serious allegations, and she deserves to be heard. She is now being given an opportunity to come before the Senate Judiciary Committee to answer questions, and I really hope that she doesn’t pass up that opportunity." > > Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told CNN that Ford’s absence from the hearing would be an “unfortunate turn of events.” > > Senate Republicans have made clear that Ford will have the opportunity to speak out about the alleged sexual assault. > > “She can do it privately if she prefers or publicly if she prefers,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters. “Monday is her opportunity.” > > It’s unclear how the committee would proceed if Ford decides not to testify, but Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he believes a vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination would likely come soon after Monday’s hearing. > > “She can come if she likes, but if she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to,” Graham, one of the panel’s 11 Republicans, told Fox News. “Kavanaugh can come, and I think he will. We will vote on Wednesday.” > > Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the committee wants Ford to appear. > > “I don’t know how they can say: I’m just not going to appear. She has the option of a closed session, with cameras or without,” he told Politico. “We want her to appear. And then she has said, before we made the decision, that she wanted to appear. So, that’s what we want.” It doesn’t sound like the Republicans intend to budge from their Monday opportunity for Ford to testify. ---
**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, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1786 "2018-09-19T19:54:11Z")
I know this has some problems with it, but I would prefer a closed session. I’d prefer there weren’t cameras to add to the circus atmosphere. Releasing a transcript is fine, but no cameras, please. ---
**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, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1787 "2018-09-19T20:10:44Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > “[This incident did happen. Many of us heard about it in school](https://twitter.com/jaybookmanajc/status/1042386834284789760)” - one of Dr. Ford’s Holton Arms schoolmates > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Boom. First substantiation from a classmate. I wonder if it will be the first of many. Boom? Are we cheering for sides now? If I were Ford, I would not want King to testify on my behalf, based on how she comes off in that letter. I would also advise King to consult a lawyer or someone less impassioned before sending out any further correspondences about this issue. Listening to CNN right now, it sounds like the Republicans are all pretty much lining up behind “she has an opportunity to testify, and it will be a shame if she doesn’t.” I’d like to see some sort of investigation go forward, but I’m OK with the Committee asking her to testify first. It doesn’t have to be either/or. ---
**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, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1788 "2018-09-19T20:14:16Z")
OK, It’s Wednesday, and Grassley’s saying[Ford’s written testimony has to be turned in by Friday morning](https://13wham.com/news/nation-world/grassley-sends-new-offer-to-kavanaugh-accuser) if she wants to testify on Monday. And it’s Monday or nothing. So she’s hiding out from death threats, while Kavanaugh’s already been prepping for his potential Monday testimony in a mock hearing. Fair’s fair, right? :mad: ---
**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, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1789 "2018-09-19T20:24:35Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Boom? Are we cheering for sides now? Yes. Many of us feel Kavanaugh had already demonstrated that he shouldn’t be on the Supreme Court, and might should be impeached from the Circuit Court of Appeals. I don’t feel that it should take this to potentially knock his nomination into the circular file, but people notice allegations like this a lot more than dry stuff about whether he was telling the truth about the Manuel Miranda hacking. I’ll work to bring about a more rational world, but in the meantime, I’ll work with the one we’ve got. > [@](#): > > If I were Ford, I would not want King to testify on my behalf, based on how she comes off in that letter. I would also advise King to consult a lawyer or someone less impassioned before sending out any further correspondences about this issue. Well, sure. But what King’s letter provides is a road map of where an investigation should go next. Once the investigation is complete, a proper witness list can be assembled. The problem, of course, is that there’s no investigation, and unlikely to be one before January. ---
**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, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1790 "2018-09-19T20:31:42Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Are we cheering for sides now? That’s why the nomination was made, wasn’t it? ---
**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, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1791 "2018-09-19T20:32:11Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Boom? Are we cheering for sides now? I’m cheering for a full investigation, and the more witnesses and knowledgeable individuals that come forward, the more likely the Senate and/or the WH will be pressured into requesting/ordering the FBI to conduct an investigation. EDIT: As a political partisan, I hope Kavanaugh is not confirmed. But my partisan feelings are much less significant than my feelings about sexual assault and rape culture. ---
**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, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1792 "2018-09-19T20:32:40Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Yes. OK. > [@](#): > > But what King’s letter provides is a road map of where an investigation should go next. Once the investigation is complete, a proper witness list can be assembled. > > The problem, of course, is that there’s no investigation, and unlikely to be one before January. Yes, it would appear the Republicans are taking another calculated political risk. Seems like a mistake to me, but then I thought it was a mistake, politically, to not vote on Garland, and I was wrong about that. ---
**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, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1793 "2018-09-19T20:32:49Z")
In hindsight, [this interview by Ford’s attorney](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/09/17/kavanaugh-accuser-christine-ford-attorney-debra-katz-newday-sot.cnn) seems to be a pretty serious misstep. > [@](#): > > “Will your client, Christine Ford, be willing to testify in public to the Judiciary Committee?” > > “The answer is yes” ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1794 "2018-09-19T20:36:05Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > In hindsight, [this interview by Ford’s attorney](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/09/17/kavanaugh-accuser-christine-ford-attorney-debra-katz-newday-sot.cnn) seems to be a pretty serious misstep. I don’t follow. In what way was this a misstep? ---
**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, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1795 "2018-09-19T20:37:14Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I don’t follow. In what way was this a misstep? Attorney said she was willing to testify, didn’t mention anything about an FBI investigation being conducted first or any other precondition. Now she’s been offered the opportunity and doesn’t appear to want to. Do you _really_ not follow this? ---
**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, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1796 "2018-09-19T20:39:07Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I don’t follow. In what way was this a misstep? It wasn’t. At least not until there’s a hearing that she fails to appear at. ---
**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, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1797 "2018-09-19T20:43:07Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It wasn’t. At least not until there’s a hearing that she fails to appear at. You’re still optimistic that she might appear, in spite of the letter from her attorney? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1798 "2018-09-19T20:43:14Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Attorney said she was willing to testify, didn’t mention anything about an FBI investigation being conducted first or any other precondition. Now she’s been offered the opportunity and doesn’t appear to want to. > > Do you _really_ not follow this? Yes, really, I’m not following. You’re assuming that “willing to testify” must include every possible precondition? You’re assuming that “willing” means “eager?” It \*seems \*like you’re reaching for any way to attack and marginalize Ms Ford. It seems further that you assume that she is a liar. It seems even further that if she opts not to testify you will consider it vindication for your assumption. . ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1799 "2018-09-19T20:43:23Z")
She lives in California, right? Like all the way across the country. And she was given a week’s notice about the hearing, and the notice was via emails apparently, and it was less than 24 hours before the conservative media started running stories about how she hadn’t accepted the invitation yet. I know it’s a fast moving story and all that, but this is a bit ridiculous. ---
**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, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1800 "2018-09-19T20:44:24Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m cheering for a full investigation, and the more witnesses and knowledgeable individuals that come forward, the more likely the Senate and/or the WH will be pressured into requesting/ordering the FBI to conduct an investigation. > > EDIT: As a political partisan, I hope Kavanaugh is not confirmed. But my partisan feelings are much less significant than my feelings about sexual assault and rape culture. LOL. So when Smyth and Judge said it didn’t happen, those were witness and knowledgeable perspectives, but we didn’t get any “Boom” out of that. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=89) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=91)