Initial Senate vote on Kavanaugh nomination set for Friday

Associated Press ^ | Oct. 04, 2018 1:48 AM EDT | Alan Fram and Lisa Mascaro

[Olog-hai]

The Senate braced for a crucial initial vote Friday on Brett Kavanaugh’s tottering Supreme Court nomination after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set his polarized chamber on a schedule to decide an election-season battle that has consumed the nation. A showdown roll call over confirmation seemed likely over the weekend.

McConnell, R-Ky., cemented the process late Wednesday and announced that the FBI would soon deliver to an anxious Senate the potentially fateful report on claims that Kavanaugh sexually abused women. With Republicans clinging to a razor-thin 51-49 majority and five senators — including three Republicans — still vacillating, the conservative jurist’s prospects of Senate confirmation remained murky and dependent, in part, on the file’s contents, which are supposed to be kept secret.

“There will be plenty of time for members to review and be briefed on the supplemental material” before Friday’s vote, McConnell said to the nearly empty chamber. In a rare moment of randomness in what’s been a deadly serious process, the normally meticulous lawmaker’s cell phone emitted a ringtone during part of his remarks. […]

Amid complaints that some lawmakers were being confronted outside their homes, McConnell claimed on the Senate floor that the protesters were “part of the organized effort” to derail Kavanaugh’s nomination.

“There is no chance in the world that they’re going to scare us out of doing our duty,” he said. …

[MNJohnnie]

Simple answer

“Ford was given a comprehensive chance to publicly give her testimony to the US Senate. There is no evidence to be gather by talking to her yet again. That is an obvious hyper partisan attempt to create a purposeless delay”.

[pepsionice]

My prediction is when RBG or Breyer pass on or retire....Trump takes 12 to 18 months before he announces the replacement. He’ll keep saying he can’t find the right person, grin at the camera, and each week will pass with no nomination.

[Jaysin]

If he has a strong senate, what benefit is there to sitting on a nomination? Extended time with a 5-3 majority?

[1Old Pro]

That is an obvious hyper partisan attempt to create a purposeless delay”.

And that delay tactic has long ago gotten old, and the polls reflect it.

[spokeshave2]

My guess is that if Cox does win, the state legislature will go to work immediately to write some law to say that it has to be a democratic replacement.

Yeah...but Cox has to sign it to make it law...?

[super7man]

with Feinstein and de Leon advancing. So it’s a Democrat versus Democrat election.

This is a chance for the Republicans to the be the King Makers. I am voting for deLeon, slap in the face of Feinstein, new Senator with low seniority. DeLeon will also be part of the face of the new crazy Democrat party, he can not hide who he is. Even other Democrats will run away from him.

[CurlyDave]

If he has a strong senate, what benefit is there to sitting on a nomination? Extended time with a 5-3 majority?

A 6-3 majority is even better than 5-3, and keeps us in good shape longer.

There is no advantage to waiting if the opportunity arises.

[Jaysin]

thats why i was asking the one who said he’ll sit on the nomination for a while