Posted on 10/05/2018 11:35:00 AM PDT by Signalman
Well, unless something big happens, it looks like Judge Brett Kavanaugh will be the next Associate Justice for the U.S. Supreme Court. The cloture vote, which was covered on our live blog, ended in success. It was a 51-49 vote. Now, 30 hours of speeches from both sides have begun. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) caused a bit of a heart attack when he said he would be out of D.C. for the weekend; his daughter is getting married on Saturday. He will walk her down the aisle but said transportation arrangements had been made. Daines became an accidental key vote due to his absence. This means the vote will remain open for a long time. Saturday could be a very long day, folks.
And it seems that barring any cataclysmic news changes, the votes for today’s cloture vote will remain the same for the final vote—which means we have the votes. Out of the wild cards, Sens. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Murkowski was the only “no” vote on cloture from this crew. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), who has a history of being a vote whip, said that he doesn’t expect Murkowski or Manchin to change their votes.
He might have been a pain in this fight. He sided with Democrats in their push for another FBI investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh. He was undecided for the longest time, but he voted for cloture today. As the 30 hours of debate counts down, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) has made a decision: he’s voting yes.
Geoff Bennett ✔ @GeoffRBennett NEWS: @JeffFlake tells @GarrettHaake he’s a yes on Kavanaugh unless something big changes his final vote. Says he doesn’t see, at this point, what would
9:00 AM - Oct 5, 2018 1,223
So, are we in the clear? Well, we had the votes last Friday, according to a Senate insider who spoke with us, and then Flake decided to gum up the works by accommodating Democrats on their FBI request. When all sides agreed to the FBI investigation and the report was delivered, by no one’s surprise, Democrats dismissed the report. The delay tactics are over. The vote is happening, and again, barring any earth-shattering news, or Democrats getting their hands on Flake again, Kavanaugh looks likely to be seated on the Court.
This whole process was thrust into chaos when three women came forward with sexual misconduct allegations. All three claims are without evidence or corroborating witnesses, but the Left took their kill shot anyway. It wounded the nominee, his family, and his reputation. The damage done to Kavanaugh from this character assassination attempt will be long-lasting, but it seems the worst is over. He will likely be confirmed until all hours on Saturday. We’ll be here covering. In the meantime, it might be best for Republican leadership to hide Jeff Flake. Take him outside of D.C. for a few hours; take his cell phone away, and just hide him away from Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and the rest of the Democratic Party on the Hill. Maybe toss Collins and Manchin—they’re about to get blitzed as well.
UPDATE: As of now, Collins is a no vote, according to a Senate insider. There is time to change her vote, but prospects aren't good.
I said he was done the second these allegations surfaced. Collins and Murkowski were a no. This kabuki theatre has all been pointless.
This is old. McConnell just had lunch with her and came out optimistic.
So having lunch made her change to a YES vote..seriously is that all it took?
She’s a no. Always has been. Flake will also vote no.
We have lost.
After the red tsunami in Nov., Trump can send Kavanaugh in again.
This is incorrect and old news already...
It looks like the abortion sisters aka the #ceckless_funts are going to fark us.
Incorrect. Looking like a yes after lunch with McConnell.
To me announcing a presser means she is a no. If she was a yes she would just say it without the fanfare like Flake did.
Is she the one they’re showering with flowers? Sold out the country for some posies.
It’s not a presser. It’s on the Senate floor.
yep with Pence the tie breaker.
Manchin does not have that much courage. Only one man that I know does, Donald Trump.
Manchin will vote no if COllins and Murkowski are no votes....
She’s also from the purple state of Maine. If she votes yes she will have to clarify why to quell the liberals in southern Maine.
That’s what I think, she could have easily tweeted it out..not sure if its an actual press conference or she announces her decision on the Senate floor..either way, I think its a NO if its a YES I will eat my sock..damn to hell these damn drama queens who make everything about THEM..a good man gets his life RUINED by bogus BS
If the vote ends up 50-50, Pence gets to break the tie, correct?
Manchin doesn’t want to be the deciding vote..because he’s screwed either way..he will only vote YES if it looks like the GOP has enough votes
If all goes well in November, nominate him again.
And spare us all the old broads, both of them, histrionics.
I’m sick of waiting for these two hags.
Repeal the 17th and 19th Amendment.
That's not true. Mitch is tough as nails when something HE wants is at stake. Getting a conservative majority on the court is something Mitch cares about. Getting Kavanaugh confirmed is important to him. There will be consequences for crossing him.
Passing President Trump's agenda has not been a priority for Mitch.
Correct! Don’t know about the jail thing, but it depends on his reading of the polls and if he wants to remain a Senator.
The people of West Virginia are the key now, it appears.
amen
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