Supreme Court

[PseudoSABR]

 

Does anyone doubt he's confirmed? If not him, I'd guess Trump somehow finds someone even more right.....

 

So, if they are going to seat a righty, I'd rather it be this guy, so that voters are even more pissed......because whomever they seat won't be friendly to women, minorities, or rights in general that aren't about guns and churches and corporations.

The GOP must doubt their ability to seat someone else during a lame duck session, given how avidly and expediently the GOP is backing Kavanaugh in spite of allegations that would seemingly sink anyone else.   

[ashbury]

So, if they are going to seat a righty, I'd rather it be this guy, so that voters are even more pissed......

I've stopped hoping for poor outcomes in the interest of long term electoral gains. Remember back in 2015 and early 2016 when some Democrats expressed wishes that Trump would be nominated because it would result in an electoral landslide up and down the ballot?

 

The country is a lot more hard-right than I ever imagined.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I've stopped hoping for poor outcomes in the interest of long term electoral gains. Remember back in 2015 and early 2016 when some Democrats expressed wishes that Trump would be nominated because it would result in an electoral landslide up and down the ballot?

 

The country is a lot more hard-right than I ever imagined.

 

It truly is....I'm hopeful that non voters get mad, but I have my doubts. But this is different....the GOP controls the Senate until Jan of next year.....they'll get someone thru, imo. Might as well give us some hope that it will help us somehow, rather than no hope.

[Mike Sixel]

 

The GOP must doubt their ability to seat someone else during a lame duck session, given how avidly and expediently the GOP is backing Kavanaugh in spite of allegations that would seemingly sink anyone else.   

 

True, they won't get much in the last two years, assuming the Senate swings, which it most likely will.....and they might have issues after the election, but I doubt it. Why wouldn't they just vote someone else in?

[TheLeviathan]

I'm glad what Avenatti brought forward was more than bluster.  This is all surreal.  

[Mike Sixel]

 

I'm glad what Avenatti brought forward was more than bluster.  This is all surreal.  

 

completely......

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

yep, out of words

[Badsmerf]

At this point the GOP is cutting their nose off on this guy. Just nominate someone else! What loyalty do they have to this dude? I used dude, but wanted to use something else. Thru confirm him, and I very the odds of them losing the Senate go up. The guy running against Heidi is shooting himself in the foot, Susan Collins is feeling a lot of pressure...

 

If they pull him, they can confirm a different right wing white guy. They confirm him, and the Senate becomes a toss up, and the house is guaranteed to be lost.

[stringer bell]

 

I've stopped hoping for poor outcomes in the interest of long term electoral gains. Remember back in 2015 and early 2016 when some Democrats expressed wishes that Trump would be nominated because it would result in an electoral landslide up and down the ballot?

 

The country is a lot more hard-right than I ever imagined.

I'd amend your statement and say that the voting population is hard-right. Not getting to the polls for progressive and moderate types has led to this IMHO, along with the idea that electing Republicans is safe, because they're conservative. "Roe v Wade is settled law" and so is gay marriage. A clear 5-4 advantage for Republicans on SCOTUS will unsettle both of those precedents. 

 

Republicans have been highly successful at repressing left-leaning voters. Part of it is message (implied) that politics is so screwed up, it doesn't matter who you vote for. Part of it is mechanics--fewer polling places, restrictive voting regulations and purged lists to name a few. Combine that with the good fortune of a wave in a census year and Republicans have placed a very heavy thumb on the scale in a lot of states.

[Mike Sixel]

Her statement is now on line.....

 

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4945893/Ford-Written-Testimony.pdf

 

[PseudoSABR]

And another allegation, this one from 1998. 

[Badsmerf]

I put a lot more weight on the women that have been willing to put their names at the end of these. Anonymity leaves too much doubt and wiggle room. Not that it isn't true, I feel the same way about the failing new York Times oped, attach your name and deal with the fallout.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I put a lot more weight on the women that have been willing to put their names at the end of these. Anonymity leaves too much doubt and wiggle room. Not that it isn't true, I feel the same way about the failing new York Times oped, attach your name and deal with the fallout.

 

Ford coming forward certainly made this situation more significant, so I don't think you're wrong to point out the value of coming forward.  It's also, understandably, difficult.

[Badsmerf]

Ford coming forward certainly made this situation more significant, so I don't think you're wrong to point out the value of coming forward. It's also, understandably, difficult.

Hardest thing I'm sure she's ever done! Prior to 2018, this would sink any other supreme court nominee. Even an anonymous allegation would create great pause.

 

Regardless, republicans will confirm an equally right wing partisan if he is withdrawn. I hope they confirm him Friday. I hope they continue to erode the support of college educated people, millennials, women, people of color, until the paradigm shifts so hard they can't react.

 

Trump alluded that he thinks the midterms will be a positive for him, and this confirmation will be apart of that.

[PseudoSABR]

 

I put a lot more weight on the women that have been willing to put their names at the end of these. Anonymity leaves too much doubt and wiggle room. Not that it isn't true, I feel the same way about the failing new York Times oped, attach your name and deal with the fallout.

I do too.  But this anonymous allegation, because she doesn't claim to be the victim gives me pause.  Such that there is a real victim, this letter becoming public I hope the real victim, name up front, comes forward.  But it's also hard to knock anyone for hiding behind anonymity given what has happened to Ford in the interim (having to go into hiding, leaving ones home, etc.).

[Brock Beauchamp]

Grassley opening the hearing by taking Feinstein to task without using her name.

 

And he should. She handled this terribly. It's not a political piece to be played, the letter (maybe sans name) should have been given to the committee immediately, not six weeks later at the eleventh hour.

[Badsmerf]

She is lucky to have survived her primary. I doubt she does the next time. Democrats should strip some power from her.

[stringer bell]

I agree that Feinstein’s actions were improper, but who is Grassley to call anyone out after his actions? How can anyone say with a straight face that there is a proper examination of Kavanaugh when well over half of the documents requested were provided. And what was made available was presented the night before the hearing?

 

Beyond that, Grassley was the chairman of the committee that refused to even hold a hearing for Merrick Garland.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I agree that Feinstein’s actions were improper, but who is Grassley to call anyone out after his actions? How can anyone say with a straight face that there is a proper examination of Kavanaugh when well over half of the documents requested were provided. And what was made available was presented the night before the hearing?

Beyond that, Grassley was the chairman of the committee that refused to even hold a hearing for Merrick Garland.

My agreement with Grassley on this singular issue does not mean I think he has behaved nobly in the past.

[Craig Arko]

She is lucky to have survived her primary. I doubt she does the next time. Democrats should strip some power from her.

I’m sure there’s some old white guy who desperately needs more power and will volunteer to take that burden on.

[Mike Sixel]

Have they confirmed him yet?

[Squirrel]

 

Hardest thing I'm sure she's ever done! Prior to 2018, this would sink any other supreme court nominee. Even an anonymous allegation would create great pause.

 

Um, what? Did you forget Clarence Thomas?

[USAFChief]

Bold prediction:

 

The Senate Committee puts off their vote, Trump pulls the Kavanaugh nomination. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Bold prediction:

 

The Senate Committee puts off their vote, Trump pulls the Kavanaugh nomination. 

I'm starting to lean that direction as well. We'll see if Kavanaugh & Co can pull something out of the hat this afternoon but right now, Ford's testimony was convincing and earnest. It's not looking good for Kavanaugh.

[stringer bell]

The GOP has never failed to live up to my expectations of doing absolutely anything they want when they have the votes. I predict they approve him on a party line vote and then confirm him in the full Senate 51-50. No delays, no pesky FBI investigations.

[PseudoSABR]

There was no way I could have anticipated how credible and likable she is.  She's sweet and sincere.  Watching her opening statement had me in tears.  What a brave, brave woman.

[USAFChief]

Lindsey Graham:  "You (Democrats) better watch out for your nominees."

 

At least he's honest about how he views this process and his position as a US Senator.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Lindsey Graham:  "You (Democrats) better watch out for your nominees."

 

At least he's honest about how he views this process and his position as a US Senator.

Wtf happened to Graham? He's been insufferable for nearly a year now.

[USAFChief]

 

Wtf happened to Graham? He's been insufferable for nearly a year now.

I used to have grudging respect for him. 

[Badsmerf]

Listening to Kavanaugh's opening statement was a window into how he views himself. I don't think his testimony is going to provide much sway due to how unlikable he is.

 

Lindsay Graham has provided some detestable comments over the last 2 years. I think he's a good enough politician to appear moderate, while taking a hard right stance.