I agree that the Ds need to read into the congressional record a precise description of the Merrick Garland nomination and outcome, as part of this process, but apart from that I don’t think they have actual business at the hearing.
The Dems’ function here, other than to hope enough R’s say “Know what? Fuck him”, is to continue to appear to be the grownups in the room. If they walk out, even figuratively, they abandon that. Continuing to press for relevant background information regarding a lifetime appointment while the Reps stonewall it is, if nothing else, effective brand management.
An act of spite that was carried out by participating in the political process.
Is that what you think they did this morning? “appear to be the grownups in the room”? LMAO
They want their 15 minutes in the spotlight.
The country is bigger than you *or *your party. This stuff matters.
What stuff matters? The screeching protesters? I disagree.
You seem to be confusing a random citizen protestor with the Democratic representatives seated in Congress. I will refrain from characterizing why that might be the case for you in order to avoid a warning from the Mods.
I’m still not clear on what Rs do if Ds keep requesting the pages. Do they strike a gavel and threaten contempt?
Grassley probably just rules the motion out of order.
Were the protests by involved citizens this morning anything like the staged “riot” *by Republican congressional staffers *in Miami to stop completion of the vote count in Florida in 2000?
Each Senator (on the Judiciary Committee) is given a certain amount of time to question the nominee. If they want to spend their time repeating “I request additional documents”, they’re free to do so, although I imagine most don’t think that’s an effective use of their limited time. At the end of the time, the expectation is that they quit speaking and the next Senator commences with their questioning. If they don’t cease speaking, I suppose there’s some process to remove them from the committee hearing, but I don’t know exactly what that is.
Do the Senate Republicans have the power to start/end confirmation hearings on Kav, or even hold the outright confirmation vote, whenever they want?
I’m not confusing them at all. Both random citizens and Democratic representatives were throwing tantrums this morning. Although, to their credit, the senators avoided screeching.
More or less. I believe the minority party can demand up to 30 hours of debate before a vote. So, the R’s can schedule it for whenever they want, with the understanding that it may take place 30 hours later.
It’s hard to imagine what an “effective use” of time is when you are not having any effect anyway.
I’d say your idea is as good as any. I would modify it to use readings for the record having to do with: stealing both of the seats; the “Unindicted coconspirator” infection in the govt; etc.
Something that gets them deeper into the pockets of their liberal donors, or a 10-second clip on some left-leaning media outlet like CNN or MSNBC. Better yet if something they say catches so much attention that they get a 3-minute televised interview with a friendly newscaster. Something like that.
Nonsense. The nomination wasn’t stolen. The Senate declined to give their consent.
McConnell *is *The Senate? Remarkable.
Kavanaugh is not part of the executive branch, and cannot claim executive privilege. President Trump hasn’t claimed executive privilege in this matter, either.