# Dems should confirm Kavanaugh as soon as possible **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 10, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685 "2018-07-10T22:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [July 11, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/21 "2018-07-11T01:55:14Z")
The Democrats should do whatever they think will help them the most in the next election. I’m not 100% sure what that is, but I’m leaning more towards “fight” than “give in”. I don’t think they have any chance at all of defeating the nomination, but if they just give in I can see folks taking their lead and just giving in when it comes to voting in Nov. You don’t energize your electorate by rolling over and playing dead. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/22 "2018-07-11T02:03:20Z")
We must rout the Clintonista \*mensheviks \*and seize control of the People’s donor lists. OK, about half-kidding and half venting old grievances against the goddam…enough. We have new fish to bone, bigger ones with teeth and venomous tentacles. But maybe this time let the people tell the leaders where they want to be led, and then let the leaders rush to get in front. They won’t stop pestering us until they get a Leader ribbon. Someday, we may yet have an election that does not have an inexhaustible vortex of stink. But this one, we gotta get through. Pro-choice, BLM, gay rights, etc. the varieties of cats in our herd, they hate us all, each and every. Three million more votes isn’t enough? Well, how about six million? Nine? A clear demonstration of numerical superiority focuses a politician’s mind wonderfully. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/23 "2018-07-11T02:04:54Z")
> [@Huey\_Freeman](#): > > Democrats should do the following: > > 1. Refuse to vote for the must-pass spending bill that must pass by September 30th. > 2. Shutdown the government until further notice > 3. Deny Republicans quorum. > 4. Leave Congress entirely. Let the Republicans govern the government themselves. Alone. > Rest easy, though. Democrats are too spineless to do any of this. 1. Sure. 2. There’s no way they can do this 3. I read this isn’t at all feasible under at least House/Senate rules. Quorum calls aren’t easy to do and require some procedural move that can’t be done continuously. I’ll see if I can dig up the article. 4. isn’t this the same as 3? Or do you mean all D’s resign en masse? If the latter, it’s pointless and self-destructive. Ah, re 3, here you go: [How Democrats can shut down the Senate part II: the majority strikes back - Vox](https://www.vox.com/mischiefs-of-faction/2018/7/3/17518824/democrats-shut-down-senate-supreme-court-quorum-breaking) Summary looks like 1) it’s a pain in the ass and 2) McConnel could just change the quorum rules with a majority vote ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/24 "2018-07-11T02:15:44Z")
Right now, even as we squeak, someone is trying to write a response for Kavanaugh when he’s asked The Question. A response that totally satisfies the extreme “pro-life” people without alarming the moderates. A response fuzzy enough so that Collins and Whats-her-face can pretend to see warmth and light in it. A response that swears on a stack of pancakes that he is no threat to Roe, while at the same time assuring others that it is as dead as a doornail. In the library of public statements crafted to forcefully and firmly say nothing at all…this will be a chestnut. A daisy, a Doozy, a ring-tailed vinegaroon. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/25 "2018-07-11T02:40:10Z")
Nonsense. It’ll be the same answer we’ve seen a bazillion times. They’ll feign unfamiliarity with the Roe, claim to judiciously consider stuff put before them in the future on the merits, and claim the God of Standing Precedent is one they think most wise and virtuous. Anyone could write that answer by viewing umpteen other confirmation hearings. This will be the same answer, and matter just as little to the process. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/26 "2018-07-11T02:43:49Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > It’ll be the same answer we’ve seen a bazillion times. They’ll feign unfamiliarity with the Roe, claim to judiciously consider stuff put before them in the future on the merits, and claim the God of Standing Precedent is one they think most wise and virtuous. Anyone could write that answer by viewing umpteen other confirmation hearings. This will be the same answer, and matter just as little to the process. I think he’s required to say something about reasonable restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/27 "2018-07-11T02:48:44Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I’m sorry; could you run it by me again how this would be Democratic politicians advocating for their constituents? And then could you explain why you think this is the _best_ way for Democrats to advocate for their constituents? Because I’m not seeing it. \*\*TonySinclair[/B] is offering the elected Democrats a chance to save face. The elected Democrats can not stop Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Elected Democrats can chose to fight the good fight (continued name-calling, whining, table-pounding), or the elected Democrats could concentrate on trying to actually win something they might be able to win. Or maybe the yellow-dog constituents will approve of another noble failure by their elected Democrat Senators? Go team??? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/28 "2018-07-11T02:50:20Z")
Ah, the sweet smell of conservative Republicans graciously giving Democrats ratfuc…er, advice about how to do things right and profit off of it! I just love that stuff. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/29 "2018-07-11T02:59:00Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Ah, the sweet smell of conservative Republicans graciously giving Democrats ratfuc…er, advice about how to do things right and profit off of it! I just love that stuff. It doesn’t matter if elected Democrats confirm Kavanaugh, or not. Their confirmation vote doesn’t appear to be needed. Elections have consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/30 "2018-07-11T02:59:19Z")
It doesn’t matter what Senate Democrats decide to do about Kavanaugh’s nomination, because they won’t be in a position to do it. We can’t stop it, we can’t slow it, we can’t hasten it. All we can do is give speeches about how hypocritical the Republicans are, and we’d be doing that anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/31 "2018-07-11T03:00:38Z")
> [@](#): > > Elections have consequences. Except when Democrats win them, of course. Then we have to wait until the next election. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/32 "2018-07-11T03:04:52Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > I think he’s required to say something about reasonable restrictions. “Undue burden”, _Planned Parenthood v Casey_, 1992 Like this hasn’t gotten duly hum-hawed over in confirmation hearings before. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/33 "2018-07-11T03:06:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It doesn’t matter what Senate Democrats decide to do about Kavanaugh’s nomination, because they won’t be in a position to do it. We can’t stop it, we can’t slow it, we can’t hasten it. All we can do is give speeches about how hypocritical the Republicans are, and we’d be doing that anyway. This. By all means #resist, but it won’t matter to this fight. This fight is lost. Fight it anyway, but set sights and planning on the next engagement. ---
**Author:** ![Huey\_Freeman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/huey_freeman/32/251_2.png) [@Huey\_Freeman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huey_Freeman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/34 "2018-07-11T03:11:04Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > 1. Sure. > 2. There’s no way they can do this > 3. I read this isn’t at all feasible under at least House/Senate rules. Quorum calls aren’t easy to do and require some procedural move that can’t be done continuously. I’ll see if I can dig up the article. > 4. isn’t this the same as 3? Or do you mean all D’s resign en masse? If the latter, it’s pointless and self-destructive. > > Ah, re 3, here you go: [How Democrats can shut down the Senate part II: the majority strikes back - Vox](https://www.vox.com/mischiefs-of-faction/2018/7/3/17518824/democrats-shut-down-senate-supreme-court-quorum-breaking) > Summary looks like 1) it’s a pain in the ass and 2) McConnel could just change the quorum rules with a majority vote Let the Republicans govern by their fucking selves… Democrats are never going to win the public relations battle. Ever. Ignore the Republicans. Let them govern by themselves. Deny them any hint of bipartisanship. Isolate, ostracize, and relentlessly belittle the opposition. While Congress is in session, Democrats should dine at the Red Hen. Refuse to engage with Nazis. Period. This would fire up everyone except moderate Republicans who are three beers from throwing tomatoes at Ruby Bridges, anyway. This is all academic and pointless to talk about. Democrats are spineless. If Democrats didn’t shut down the government for DACA recipients or families separated at the border, these white folks sure as hell aren’t gonna shut down the government for some women who think their bodies belong to them. Praise be, ladies; we’ve been sent good weather. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/35 "2018-07-11T03:20:25Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Ah, the sweet smell of conservative Republicans graciously giving Democrats ratfuc…er, advice about how to do things right and profit off of it! I just love that stuff. It’s what W meant when he talked about “compassionate conservatism.” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/36 "2018-07-11T03:26:11Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > It doesn’t matter what Senate Democrats decide to do about Kavanaugh’s nomination, because they won’t be in a position to do it. We can’t stop it, we can’t slow it, we can’t hasten it. All we can do is give speeches about how hypocritical the Republicans are, and we’d be doing that anyway. That’s silly. The best thing they can do is start to drum up problems with Republicans, creating a bunch of in-fighting. If the Democrats remain strong, all you need is two Reps not to vote to keep it going for a while. The Right is really into conspiracy theories right now. Take advantage of that. Push rumors that he’s secretly an SJW liberal who is pro-choice, while pretending to be on the right. So many rumors, even if they are caught it won’t really matter, since everything is a liberal plot. Start saying they’re so happy he picked a decent guy instead of someone horrible, drying up the liberal tears demo. Find and bring up stuff that’s bad about his past that will slow down the process. And, yes, there’s threatening other legislation. That’s a time honored tactic to use. Yes, the fight is likely unwinnable, but it’s silly to pretend they can’t do anything. In fact, knowing he will get through anyways frees up some actions–it would be stupid to pretend there’s someone worse if he had any chance of not getting through. Just stir the pot. Do things that make it seem like you’re fighting. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/37 "2018-07-11T03:36:08Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Just stir the pot. Do things that make it seem like you’re fighting. I agree and endorse this approach. Doing it _effectively_ is difficult, perhaps impossible. Deciding to do it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/38 "2018-07-11T03:42:15Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, the fight is likely unwinnable, but it’s silly to pretend they can’t do anything. In fact, knowing he will get through anyways frees up some actions–it would be stupid to pretend there’s someone worse if he had any chance of not getting through. > > Just stir the pot. Do things that make it seem like you’re fighting. (post shortened) The elected Democrats aren’t pretending they can’t do anything. They actually can’t do anything. But thanks for clearly stating the Democrat Party’s game plan for the last 18 months. And their game plan for the next 30 months. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/39 "2018-07-11T03:50:57Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > The OP and his agree-ers in this thread are the primary reason that the Democratic Party is seen as a bunch of spineless idiots. Geez…RESIST EVERYTHING! Or lose in November. Find something to cling to as a principle, even if it’s just “Trying to mitigate the Trumpian destruction of the USA”. The time for civility and amity and collegiality are OVER. If we’re the only side holding to those things, we’re dead. No, I disagree. What the Democrats need to do is put out the message that they’re the grown-ups and we need to have grown-ups running the country. Let the Republicans throw temper tantrums and shut the government down. The Democrats will be the party that shows up for work in the morning and does their job. People need to stop getting so emotionally invested in elections. Treat it like it’s a job interview. Who would you hire to work in your business? The quiet responsible guy who has a steady employment history? Or the guy you met in a bar at three in the morning? The bar guy is probably a lot more fun to hang out with but the quiet guy is the one you want working for you. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe the voters are too stupid for democracy to work anymore. Hell, sixty-three million people voted for Donald Trump. But if that’s the case, the Democrats trying to be as dysfunctional as the Republicans isn’t the answer. If it turns out the voters can’t elect a working government anymore we should just abandon democracy as a failed experiment. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2018, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685/40 "2018-07-11T03:59:20Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > That’s silly. The best thing they can do is start to drum up problems with Republicans, creating a bunch of in-fighting. If the Democrats remain strong, all you need is two Reps not to vote to keep it going for a while. I still haven’t heard anybody say _ **why** _ that’s the best thing. I still haven’t heard anybody deny that if the fight is still going on in November, it will help energize the Republicans more than the Democrats. There seems to be a significant percentage of Trump supporters who are so fucking stupid that absolutely nothing he does can make them see what a disaster he is, even when he costs them their jobs with his tariffs or whatever, but there is also a significant percentage who are pretty slow, but are finally coming to see that he’s an idiot. The ONLY things they like about him is that he cuts taxes, and his Supreme Court picks. The taxes are done. If the Supreme Court picks are also done, they are much more likely to stay home in November. Between the Russian bots, gerrymandering, and voter suppression techniques, Dems are swimming upstream in the elections to start with. We don’t need to help turn out the Republican vote, too. Getting this shit over with quickly isn’t giving up, it’s optimizing our chances in November. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-should-confirm-kavanaugh-as-soon-as-possible/817685.md?page=3)