# 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:** 99
**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 20, 2018, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1961 "2018-09-20T16:39:23Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > If the Republicans pursue the avenue of “maybe he did what you say, but he wasn’t trying to rape you”, they will surely lose. Does anyone really think that’s a good course of action? I am submitting this as an amicus curae: Yes they should do that. Don’t stop doing it, and double down when in doubt. ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1962 "2018-09-20T16:40:18Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Did an FBI investigation clear Clarence’s Thomas’ name? > > Not in the slightest. They even made an HBO movie about it in 2016, executive produced by Anita Hill herself. _Twenty seven years later._ Are you saying Thomas was innocent? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1963 "2018-09-20T16:40:31Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > It’s also convenient that the part you quoted doesn’t include the first part of the description which makes it clear that this was a consensual encounter between friends. It wasn’t - she pushed his hand away, which makes it sexual assault. > [@](#): > > Which encounter do you think a 15 year old girl would rather experience? Isn’t this suggestion that women want to be assaulted, slut-shaming? Regards, Shodan ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1964 "2018-09-20T16:42:19Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > It’s a follow up question. > > You ducked answering the question I asked by not addressing the actual Ellison situation and only answering in hypothetical. But my real point was addressed to your broader claim about Republicans and Democrats, so I went to that. I ducked? How? From five minutes of googling, the allegation looks credible. So I wouldn’t vote for Ellison (assuming more research confirmed this). Is that still ducking? And what’s your follow up question? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1965 "2018-09-20T16:43:41Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > At least two mind readers. There is no question that is the goal of the Democrats. Merrick Garland says you’re cool with that, right? > [@](#): > > Further, again, the FBI has declined to investigate. Yes, Trump could order them to investigate The FBI can investigate this if and only if Trump gives them the go-ahead. > [@](#): > > , but didn’t your side say how bad that was when Comey was in charge? The FBI should be independent, blah, blah, blah? No, we didn’t! We had a problem in how they went well outside of their own rules for making information public in the absence of charges. Don’t you guys know anything? > [@](#): > > As I said earlier, Ford is getting the most thorough investigation of her claims than any other person who has made an allegation of sexual assault in the history of the world. _Buahahahahaha!!!_ Oh wait, you’re being _serious_. That’s even funnier! Almost as funny as your magical DC-area Field of Protection for Ford. Did I miss your explanation of how that works? ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1966 "2018-09-20T16:46:10Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I ducked? How? From five minutes of googling, the allegation looks credible. So I wouldn’t vote for Ellison (assuming more research confirmed this). Is that still ducking? No. > [@](#): > > And what’s your follow up question? See prior post. In brief, do you think your thesis about Republican vs Democratic support for candidates who abused women is shaken by Democratic actions WRT the Ellison election? (Both in the Democratic electorate supporting him in the primary over fellow Democrats, and in terms of continued support/inaction now in the general.) ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1967 "2018-09-20T16:46:57Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Yes, and back then the FBI did an investigation in 3 days. Now they refuse, because the White House won’t let them. So let’s not make comparisons to Anita Hill. The FBI had jurisdiction in the Thomas/Hill case since the allegations had a federal nexus - both were federal employees and the allegations related to Thomas’ actions in the workplace. If Ford wants a criminal investigation then she needs to make a complaint to the relevant authorities with the local or state police that does have jurisdiction. The FBI don’t have jurisdiction over a state criminal matter. If Ford wants solely to comment on her opinion about Kavanaugh’s fitness to be a justice then she needs to come forth and testify to the Senate which has jurisdiction over the confirmation process. The offer has been made and we’ll see if she testifies, publically or privately as has been offered. If she doesn’t testify then I think Kavanaugh is confirmed by the end of next week in time to join the court at the start of the coming term. ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1968 "2018-09-20T16:50:07Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > No. > > See prior post. > > In brief, do you think your thesis about Republican vs Democratic support for candidates who abused women is shaken by Democratic actions WRT the Ellison election? (Both in the Democratic electorate supporting him in the primary over fellow Democrats, and in terms of continued support/inaction now in the general.) What is my thesis? IIRC I’ve talked about how, IMO, high Democratic office holders respond to sexual abuse significantly better than Republican high office holders. Is that what you’re talking about? ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1969 "2018-09-20T16:50:16Z")
> [@wonky](#): > > There is a fundamental rot at the core of these arguments. They aren’t arguments. It’s just a long slow resentful capitulation to modernity, while they find distractions. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1970 "2018-09-20T16:50:58Z")
Spartacus’ tale serves another useful function (aside from highlighting his hypocrisy) that I see as relevant to Ford’s accusation. He wrote: > [@](#): > > [New Year’s Eve 1984 I will never forget. I was 15. As the ball dropped, I leaned over to hug a friend and she met me instead with an overwhelming kiss. As we fumbled upon the bed, I remember debating my next “move” as if it were a chess game. With the “Top Gun” slogan ringing in my head, I slowly reached for her breast.](https://stanforddailyarchive.com/cgi-bin/stanford?a=d&d=stanford19920219-01.2.16&srpos=13) He says “I will never forget” and that it was definitely New Year’s Eve 1984 and that he had “the “Top Gun” slogan ringing in [his] head”, but [“Top Gun” didn’t come out 'til 1986](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092099/). Now, I don’t think Spartacus meant anything sinister by this mistake, but it does illustrate the fallibility of human memory. Perhaps the “Top Gun” slogan wasn’t actually ringing in his head, or perhaps he misremembered the date and it was actually New Year’s Eve 1987. The point is that memories get confused and hazy after many years, and it’s certainly a possibility that Ford’s memory is flawed like Spartacus’ was. ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1971 "2018-09-20T16:56:34Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Are you saying Thomas was innocent? I believe he is, yes. Her story has more holes in it than a block of swiss cheese. However, even if I didn’t believe it, any evidence for or against Thomas was at least a bit more specific than somewhere at an unspecified date/time/place more than 3 decades prior. If Ford has a more specific story than that to tell, then she has the opportunity to tell it. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1972 "2018-09-20T16:56:44Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What is my thesis? IIRC I’ve talked about how, IMO, high Democratic office holders respond to sexual abuse significantly better than Republican high office holders. Is that what you’re talking about? Well in this particular thread I’m talking about things like post #929 and #932. You’ve made this type of claim in other threads as well. ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1973 "2018-09-20T16:57:47Z")
OK Dikta you have convinced me !! I will never support Cory Booker for the Supreme Court. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1974 "2018-09-20T17:03:35Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > ? IIRC I’ve talked about how, IMO, high Democratic office holders respond to sexual abuse significantly better than Republican high office holders. Apart from Feinstein, Booker, Ellison, and the MN DFL, you mean. Regards, Shodan ---
**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 20, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1975 "2018-09-20T17:07:47Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I believe he is, yes. Her story has more holes in it than a block of swiss cheese. However, even if I didn’t believe it, any evidence for or against Thomas was at least a bit more specific than somewhere at an unspecified date/time/place more than 3 decades prior. If Ford has a more specific story than that to tell, then she has the opportunity to tell it. I’m unaware of such holes – the multiple women with similar stories about Thomas makes me think her account is much more likely to be accurate than his. ---
**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 20, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1976 "2018-09-20T17:09:40Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Well in this particular thread I’m talking about things like post #929 and #932. You’ve made this type of claim in other threads as well. Huh? I didn’t say anything at all about the Democrats in #929 or #932 (the latter of which was from a different poster). What are you disputing that I’ve said, specifically? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1977 "2018-09-20T17:12:27Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The point is that memories get confused and hazy after many years, and it’s certainly a possibility that Ford’s memory is flawed like Spartacus’ was. Maybe he misremembered the whole thing and he didn’t grope her at all. Does anyone even know for sure if there WAS a New Years 1984? ---
**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 20, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1978 "2018-09-20T17:13:09Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Apart from Feinstein, Booker, Ellison, and the MN DFL, you mean. > > Regards, > Shodan What? In my understanding, all of these office holders recommended that Al Franken resign. Even if they’re failing to hold Ellison accountable, they’re still a big step ahead of the Republicans, who have done absolutely nothing to hold Trump accountable for his multiple admissions of violating women’s consent, plus the multiple credible allegations of sexual assault. Until 2017, both the Republicans and the Democrats got an F on holding abusers accountable. Starting in 2017, the Democrats as a party are up to a D, maybe a D+. The Republicans are going in the opposite direction – an F- (if that exists) or worse. ---
**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 20, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1979 "2018-09-20T17:20:29Z")
[politics.theonion.com](http://politics.theonion.com) 1 GOP Officials: Kavanaugh Shouldn’t Be Held Accountable For Something He Did As White Teenager WASHINGTON—Vehemently defending the Supreme Court nominee against recent allegations of sexual assault, GOP officials declared Wednesday that Brett Kavanaugh shouldn’t be held accountable for something he did as a white teenager. “We’re talking about something that occurred when Mr. Kavanaugh was a mere 17-year-old Caucasian,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), adding that it was ridiculous to allow a single incident that happened when Kavanaugh was in an elite and mostly white high school ruin the career of such an accomplished white person. “I expect most of my colleagues here in the Senate remember what it’s like to be a young white man and make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from those mistakes and grow up to be responsible white adults. It’s shameful that my Democratic colleagues feel the need to sully Judge Kavanaugh’s reputation when they, too, surely understand that boys of European descent will be boys of European descent.” McConnell went on to state that the assault would hardly even be noteworthy had the victim not been a 15-year-old white girl. ---
**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 20, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733/1980 "2018-09-20T17:20:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What? In my understanding, all of these office holders recommended that Al Franken resign. Even if they’re failing to hold Ellison accountable, they’re still a big step ahead of the Republicans, who have done absolutely nothing to hold Trump accountable for his multiple admissions of violating women’s consent, plus the multiple credible allegations of sexual assault. > > Until 2017, both the Republicans and the Democrats got an F on holding abusers accountable. Starting in 2017, the Democrats as a party are up to a D, maybe a D+. The Republicans are going in the opposite direction – an F- (if that exists) or worse. I’ll be charitable in assuming you’re[forgetting about this](https://www.latimes.com/resizer/M4YT3QrqA2Y2u0VmzveSf2E6bJc=/1400x0/www.trbimg.com/img-5a0f88e1/turbine/la-1510967516-p1vtx2ue9m-snap-image). When you can produce similar evidence of the night in question, then we can talk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=98) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-democrats-actually-stop-the-nomination-of-brett-kavanaugh/820733.md?page=100)