Trump leads aggressive, all-out GOP drive to save Kavanaugh

AP via Yahoo ^ | September 24th, 2018 | Alan Fram and Lisa Mascaro

[Mariner]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans mounted a combative, coordinated drive Monday to salvage Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination as they fought to keep a second woman's allegation of long-ago sexual misconduct from derailing his confirmation. President Donald Trump leapt to his defense, the top Senate Republican accused Democrats of a "smear campaign" and an emotional Kavanaugh pledged to fight for his nomination and proclaimed, "I've never sexually assaulted anyone."

That declaration, remarkable for a nominee to the nation's highest court, came as Republicans embraced their newly aggressive stance and Kavanaugh's prospects dangled precariously. The similar tones and wording they used in defending him suggested a concerted effort to undermine the women's claims and portray an image of unity among GOP senators while pressing toward a confirmation vote.

In the run-up to an appearance by Kavanaugh and his main accuser at a dramatic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Trump called the accusations "totally political" and among "the single most unfair, unjust things to happen to a candidate for anything." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., angrily accused Democrats of slinging "all the mud they could manufacture" and promised a full Senate vote soon, but specified no date.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., retorted that if McConnell believed the allegations were a smear, "Why don't you call for an FBI investigation?" Schumer accused Republicans of "a rush job to avoid the truth."

[palmer]

Seems like they’re trying to shut the barn door after the swine got loose.

It was fine swine.

[bert]

Aside from antiRepublican brvado in your post, the loosed animal was not a swine but a thoroughbred winner

[dennisw]

That is one ugly critter w the arm tattoo.

[TexasGunLover]

The only real question is will all the Republican Senators vote to confirm him?

Not before the mid-terms... we have 2 accusers waiting in the wings who must be heard... the latest, in 48 hours, will have "evidence".

They'll continue to trot them out and delay until after the mid-terms... I might be wrong, but everyone around here is shocked the Muller investigation is ongoing, and I'd almost bet the farm it will do so through the 2020 general election- that's the purpose of these farces...

[Deplorable American1776]

He is..unlike the Bushes who folded on theirs..

[JustaCowgirl]

Somehow POTUS needs to inject some spine in these deadbeat GOP Senators, especially Grassley. That senile old fool is going to let mob rule win, one way or another.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Trump had to wait to make sure Kavanaugh would defend himself. Had he chosen to withdraw this would have been pointless.

[Zathras]

Would Bush41 or GWB do this?
Not a chance.
This is true leadership!

[b4me]

you may want to refresh your mind by reading your own tag line.

[Lazamataz]

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., retorted that if McConnell believed the allegations were a smear, "Why don't you call for an FBI investigation?"

Oh, Chuck, we will.

After Kavanaugh is seated, I want a FBI investigation of Diane FineSlime's last-minute smear, outside of the rules of the Senate. And I want an FBI investigation of Blowsey Ford for filing false reports and perjury. And I want an FBI investigation of Avanetti.

[Lazamataz]

Here comes the Sh_t Show!! Expect this "hearing" on Thursday to be a complete circus. The previous hearing was bad - - this one will be much worse.

I would close all hearings to the public, and offer outside video feeds instead.

[SkyPilot]

I would close all hearings to the public, and offer outside video feeds instead.

It will be "public", but Grassley has caved again to Ford and her lawyer's demands and have agreed to hold the hearing in the much smaller Dirksen Senate Office hearing room, instead of the usual (and larger) Hart building. This will limit the media present, but it will still be televised.

[Amish with an attitude]

Time to move on - just vote.

[Deplorable American1776]

Re 40: is that a female or a male or something else?

[Deplorable American1776]

See reply #54...

[SkyPilot]

Re 40: is that a female or a male or something else?

A very ugly woman, or a very pretty monster.